Sparta Hot Spot LLC — Restaurant in Sparta Township

Today when driving back from looking at property in Muskegon Heights, my husband and I were considering food choices.

We agree, regardless of where our relationship takes us, we surely enjoy eating together.

As we got closer and closer to our quaint village of Sparta, we knew our options were becoming limited. We have cool food. But we were wanting something different; a new taste experience. We are super into McDonald’s, Burger King, Wing World, New Dragon, Maria’s, Rosita’s, Brick Haus, Maxine’s, The Garden Patch, Tom’s Bakery, Trini’s, Subway, Little Caesars, Starbucks, Biggby, Coffee Haus, The Eagles Club, The Sparta Pub, Angela’s, Palermo’s and the many delicious foods our local Stations de la Gasolina provide (no shame in my slushee game).

But a new kid has arrived in town.

Hot Spot.

I exclaimed to my hubby, “Oh my goodness! We have to try that new place! I think it’s still open!”

He sighed with appreciation that I had finally chosen somewhere to eat.

We arrived, full of curiosity but not full of food, so we started to look around for how we could get that need met. When we walked down the stairs we found ourselves in a terrifically cozy space. Kaylynn, as we discovered, the owner of Nebula Bakery and the menu creator of Hot Spot, took our order. We purchased the Dill Pickle Burger Bagel and the Horseradish something wrap, a blueberry scone and pumpkin spice scone, (If you know me, I just said to Dave, “actually where are those scones?” and he laughed and said, “no scones left. But I’d like more.” - an honest review by David Elliott) a cookies and cream gluten free cake donut and a pumpkin spice latte and a coconut cream latte (both larges let me note).

We sat down and I evaluated the chair comfort. I’m a large gal. Especially large in the derriere, but not lacking in stored energy in any parts of my body. The chair was comfortable in my fight against gravity. This 5’3” 230lb bag ‘O cells, bacteria and water just isn’t going to have a nice experience eating if I’m uncomfortable. As I nodded in pleasure at the chair, Kaylynn said, “Leather.” and smiled. Hell yeah. Dining in comfort and sustainability.

Our coffees arrived first and we learned Hot Spot worked with Herman’s Boy, a favorite in the Elliott family for coffee and bagel sandwiches, to create a roast specifically for Hot Spot.

But most importantly, they tasted good. I don’t care about all the coffee bullsheet about brew and temperature and best experience. Just give me something that tickles my tongue. Isn’t that the beauty of food?

These were what I would consider sweet coffees. More like dessert coffee because typically my husband and I drink our coffee black. I love sugared lattes because they remind me of being young and first drinking coffee and they felt like a tolerable way to drink the bitter bean water. I don’t drink them that often anymore because “just black” has become an act of simplicity and benefit to my body and brain, but when I do, they’re a favorite treat.

Coffee got the green flag, now for the main course: the food.

Delicious. Weird. Fresh. Creative. Satisfying. Memorable.

A burger on a bagel? Pickle chunks in cream cheese? Heck yes.

I am excited to try more. I want to see what recipes Kaylynn comes up with. I want to see her Nebula Bakery baking creativity that represents her big beautiful brain. I want to drink coffee in the winter and write and feel all the small-town magic. It’s the type of place where a Hallmark movie starts. It’s the type of place where you grab some food then walk over to Roger’s Park and let your kids (who are driving you nuts about the darn puppy they think they are “really really going to take care of”) run off some energy. It’s the type of place when you want to have a tinder date and you don’t know where to go, you suggest, “Let’s go to Hot Spot. I read this...

We walk our dog past this place and it always smells amazing on the outside! Today my sister and I opted to give it a try for lunch as it's exciting to have another option for food in town that isn't the usual generic fast food spots.. Let me tell you, this food was beyond delicious! We ordered two dill pickle burgers and a side of the garlic parmesean fries to split and we walked out absolutely stuffed!

We didn't realize the burger came on a bagel, but it was a pleasant surprise with a variety of bagel "bun" options!

I think there may have been a slight mix up when ordering, as we did not get any dill pickle sauce on our burgers (to my knowledge, I could not see the sauce or taste anything pickl-y) 🤔 and were told the burgers came with lettuce and not spring mix (which was listed on the menu).

BUT I TELL YOU: THESE BURGERS WERE FANTASTIC! They definitely hit the spot for a burger craving (ft a smash burger patty). They were a nice size and left us feeling full and satisfied.

AND THE FRIES! Nothing compares to freshly made in-house French fries, they were hot and fresh and soo flavorful, you could taste both the garlic and the parmesean. My taste buds were absolutely delighted and I broke out into that little food dance we all do when we have something scrumptious to eat 😋

They had a variety of breakfast and lunch items, including wraps, salads, scones and more! And the coffee/beverage menu seemed pretty expansive for a small local shop! I can't wait to go try a latte!

Also, while sitting and enjoying our meal, I heard they will be having iced coffee and Chai tea on the menu soon! As if we needed another...

Excellent breakfast bagel sandwiches. The eggs were made to order and the sausage isn't a frozen patty, but seasoned, smashed beef, also made to order. The pepper Jack cheese went great with the spice of the sausage. They had many bagel options to choose from, the sun dried tomato made a nice flavor combo with the sausage and eggs. Hot coffee was ready in the carafes, but there were a lot of tasty, specialty coffees, too. Very cool atmosphere inside the old Masonic Temple building, with lots of original lights and style preserved. It liked the diner vibe with the chairs along the café in addition to separate tables. Good variety of local art, soaps, and clothing for sale from 20+ local artists. Did some Christmas shopping with candles and knit winter wear. Great prices. Can't wait to see what they do with the...