Coratti’s Pizzeria Bar and Bocce was granted permission to open in 2022, and four years later the location on Grand River Avenue remains under construction. Still, plans to open the location remain. (Lucas Day for ELi)

Restaurant Roundup: Latest on Pizza Shops, Sheetz, More Planned For East Lansing

Several long-anticipated restaurants in East Lansing are finally moving closer to opening, while other projects have stalled, closed shortly after opening or failed to materialize.

Pizzawala’s, an Indian pizza restaurant that was initially expected to open last year but experienced delays, “is expected to be finished within the next 30 days,” Heather Pope, East Lansing community and economic development director, told East Lansing Info. 

Franchise Owner Sougata Roy has previously told ELi that a soft opening was planned for February 2026, after initial plans to open the restaurant in the fall of 2025 fell through. However, delays in construction have kept the restaurant from opening. 

Located at 523 E. Grand River Ave. and sandwiched between The Peanut Barrel and Kimchi Box, the sit-down restaurant will include a bar that sells beer and wine and specialty pizzas inspired by Indian cuisines, such as the paneer korma pizza. 

Roy did not respond to inquiries from ELi about an opening date.  

Pizzawala’s received permission from the city to sell alcohol last year, paving the way for the sit-down restaurant to open. There have since been multiple delays to the restaurant opening its doors. (Lucas Day for ELi)

Sheetz, a Pennsylvania-based 24-hour convenience store, restaurant and gas station, was approved by the East Lansing City Council in February 2026. Construction is expected to start in the fall, with the store tentatively planned to open in spring 2027, said Christian Talley, senior account executive. The store will be located at the intersection of Saginaw Street and Abbot Road. 

Sheetz will include a cafe where customers can order from a wide selection of food offerings, including sandwiches, burgers, breakfast sandwiches and coffee. 

“Sheetz is excited to have the opportunity to serve customers in East Lansing … and we are looking forward to being part of the East Lansing community,” Talley said in an email to ELi.

A rendering of the Sheetz approved to be added on the intersection of Saginaw Street and Abbot Road. (From Dec. 17 Planning Commission agenda)

Construction on Coratti’s Pizzeria Bar and Bocce started in 2022, and while it may seem like the project has stalled, Pope confirmed owners still plan to open the restaurant. Located at 321 E. Grand River Ave, neighboring Clever Clover and near Tin Can, the two-floor space features dining areas and bars on both levels. 

If the Howell-based pizza restaurant does open, it will feature a unique recreational option, as the second floor has two bocce courts, according to the site plans included in an old City Council meeting agenda. 

The menu offers three styles of pizza: Napoletana, Detroit and American. The restaurant also offers options like wood-fired sandwiches, build-your-own pasta and various other Italian cuisines.  

It is unclear why the project has been drawn out and when construction will wrap up, as Coratti’s Pizzeria Bar and Bocce did not reply to ELi’s inquiries. 

The first Bibibop Asian Grill in Michigan is planned to be located at 309 E. Grand River Ave., between the Curious Book Shop and Tin Can. Renovations started in the spring with the goal of opening by the start of Michigan State University’s fall semester, according to reporting from the Lansing State Journal in June. Customers will be able to customize their meal by building a unique bowl that includes a base, toppings, protein and sauce. 

Bibibop did not respond to inquiries from ELi regarding an exact opening date.

Savvy Sliders closed its East Lansing location at 235 Albert Ave. in June 2026, less than a year after opening. The space now sits vacant. Further, plans for the neighboring Fat Boy’s Pizza, a brand Savvy Sliders acquired, never materialized. 

Last year, Mark Wolok, vice president of business and franchise development for the company, told ELi that his company hoped to open Fat Boy’s Pizza in early 2026. 

ELi asked Wolok why Savvy Sliders closed and why Fat Boy’s Pizza plans stalled, but he declined to comment.