You know a restaurant is good when people: a.) Keep it a secret from their friends so the already-long lines don’t get any longer; b.) Have a strategy they will not share with you for the perfect time to go to avoid waiting in line; c.) Wait outside in the heat or cold 45 minutes+ before they can get a table; d.) Congratulate you on the rare occasion that you get a seat without waiting in line.

At Lansing’s Golden Harvest, there are only 34 seats to accommodate the hungry masses, and they are packed very close together. My experience has been that they are nearly always full. If you’re a party of two sitting at a 4-top, you may wind up with two more people at your table. Chances are very good that you’ll wind up waiting outside for a seat and then waiting for your food. This probably isn’t the best place to go for a quick lunch — I like to think of it as an event.

The music is good and loud and might be NSFW. Kitschy craziness covers almost every available surface. The staff would not look out of place performing at a punk rock concert — they are also very friendly and funny.

The atmosphere can be awesome if that’s your thing. But the real reason there is always a line of people waiting outside is the food is sooo flavorful and yummy. The daily specials board is full of perfectly prepared made-from-scratch deliciousness. Truly, just perfect fluffy waffles, crispy bacon, cheesy grits, omelets full of fresh goodies, french toast covered in fruit and whipped cream— I’m making myself hungry just thinking about it.

The portions are very large. Occasionally I will think I am clever and order far too much food for one sitting to ensure I will have leftovers. I always eat it all and whine the rest of the day about how much my stomach hurts.

It can take a long time to get your food once you are seated. It’s a cash-only establishment — no credit cards — and there is not an ATM machine on-site. Every now and then they close for random reasons. They also don’t do take-out. In spite of this and the fact that they seem to do no advertising whatsoever, there is nearly always a line. It’s not for everyone. But an awful lot of people love it and I am one of them.

I dream about the golden fluffy waffles that would make Leslie Knope and Ron Swanson drool.

Stickers cover just about every available surface, but check out how clean the drink dispensers are!

Memorabilia, photos of the locals, art, and more covers the walls.