Restaurant Roundup: Dairy Queen, Savvy Sliders and Fat Boy’s Pizza Expand East Lansing’s Food Scene
Husband and wife duo Mariam Haidar and Wael Hamade plan to make the East Lansing Dairy Queen they recently opened more than just another branch in the large American food chain.
While obtaining an MBA, Haidar sometimes felt out of place in spaces around colleagues who had worked in corporate settings, while she grew up working in her parent’s Dairy Queen. However, she realized the work ethic and values she learned working at the restaurant helped in the new setting.
“You practice these positive behaviors that afford you success,” Haidar said. “Whether you’re selling an ice cream cone or software, you’re going to learn the right behaviors and values [at Dairy Queen] to be successful anywhere.”
This is the second Dairy Queen Haidar and Hamade have purchased, the other is in Canton. Hamade, who worked at JPMorgan Chase for 15 years, agrees the restaurant provides valuable experience for young professionals, like those attending Michigan State University.
“The business skills you learn at a Dairy Queen are second to none,” Hamade said. “Once you acquire and build those skills as an employee here…whatever you do [in the future], you’re going to hit the ground running and be leaps and bounds ahead.”
Along with providing important career experience, the couple said they hope the restaurant, which opened Nov. 5, becomes a valuable community space where fundraisers are held for local religious groups, nonprofit organizations and schools.
The Dairy Queen is located at 1000 Townbridge Rd and is open Monday through Sunday, 10:30 a.m. to midnight. The menu includes burgers, chicken tenders and a variety of types of ice cream.
Savvy Sliders
Savvy Sliders had its grand opening in September and business has been booming, according to store owner Mitch Silverstone.
The fast-casual restaurant is located at 235 Albert Ave., next to El Azteco. Silverstone said he thinks downtown East Lansing is a good location for the restaurant because the area needed a place to get a burger. The close proximity to MSU also helped management find students to work at the shop, Silverstone said.
Savvy Sliders takes pride in the fact that food is made to order, meaning it’s always fresh. The menu features beef, chicken and fish sliders, along with custard shakes. For any new customers, Silverstone recommends Box 3: any slider, two chicken fingers, fries, and a drink. This way, the customer gets to experience a little bit of everything they have to offer.
The Savvy Sliders in East Lansing is one of more than 50 locations, with restaurants in Michigan, Ohio, Texas, Florida, Indiana, Louisiana and Mississippi.
The restaurant is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday, and 10:30 a.m. to 3 a.m. Thursday through Saturday.
Fat Boy’s Pizza
Savvy Sliders acquired Fat Boy’s Pizza, a Louisiana-based restaurant, about 18 months ago, Mark Wolok, vice president of business and franchise development for the company said. Soon, Wolok’s company will open a Fat Boy’s Pizza shop next to its Savvy Sliders location in downtown East Lansing.
Savvy Sliders and Fat Boy’s Pizza were originally planned to open simultaneously, but the timeline has changed; and they’re now hoping to open the pizza restaurant in early 2026, Wolok said in a phone call with ELi.
Although the hours of operation are not solidified yet, Wolok said Fat Boy’s Pizza plans to have similar hours to Savvy Sliders and be open late on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
The menu includes a variety of different topping options, with pizza sold as single slices or pies ranging in size from 12 inches, 16 inches and 30 inches. Additionally, Fat Boy’s Pizza offers 16-inch cookie cakes, chicken wings and milk shakes.
“It’s going to be a very powerful, exciting brand to the East Lansing market,” Wolok said. “People love Savvy Sliders, and they’re going to equally love the Fat Boy’s Pizza concept as well.”