Rebecca Reese, a junior, and I found an old yet contemporary building that mixes coffee, wood-fired pizzas, crepes, panini and smoothies. What a combination. We were immediately surprised as to everything the remodeled Creston library had to offer.
 
We headed to Plainfield Ave in search of good smoothies, recommended to me by David Murdoch himself. We found this old building on the outside, but when we walked inside it was completely different. The Creston library was remodeled and now is the Red Ball Jet Café. We had to park behind a different building because the parking around the Red Ball Jet was parking meters. When we finally opened the double doors to the Red Ball Jet we were immersed in the smell of hot baking pizza. It made our stomachs growl, especially Rebecca’s because she had just gotten out of soccer practice and we were starving.
 
We found a high table with two chairs and made ourselves comfortable. The menus were on the table and we opened them up to find our indecisive minds…well, unable to decide. The menu had basically everything ranging from wood-fired pizzas, salads, soup, sandwiches, breakfast/lunch panini, pasta, and crepes (sweet and savory).
 
We finally decided to get pizzas. They came on these cool, tall, silver pizza stands, which took up the whole table. I got the Hawaiian which had red sauce, grated aged cheese, ham, pineapple, peppers, cilantro and smoked provolone. Rebecca got the sausage and goat cheese, which was definitely interesting and requires those who are lucky enough to have an acquired taste for goat cheese. I, however, do not have a desire for goat cheese, but I gave it a try. Rebecca and I didn’t realize how large the pizzas were going to be and could have split one. Each pizza was about $10 and included eight slices.
 
By the time we got out of the car and were stuffing pizza down to our bellies, only 20 minutes had passed. They seemed very fast. We even got to watch them cook and prepare our food. When Rebecca and I were full, our waitress came and boxed up our extras. How hospitable, as Murdoch would say.
 
After looking around the Red Ball Jet Café we noticed that they are Pink Ribbon Breast Cancer supporters, and one can donate money and have your name written on a pink ribbon. We also noticed that they have the Red Ball motif everywhere. Red balls were on the paintings and art, on the lights, and even on the floor. The black board with chalk writing for the espressos, smoothies, bakes goods and omelets, gave this place the true café feeling. They also had two televisions with ESPN on, so you can watch football or baseball. There were signs posted saying “Fair trade organic vitality, 99 cents” and you can buy their coffee in bags.
 
The slogan for the Red Ball Jet Café is “run a little faster, jump a little higher.” This restaurant is part of the Gilmore Collection which consists of restaurants primarily located in West Michigan that feature a wide variety of cuisine, wine and entertainment. So check out Red Ball Jet’s sister restaurants, mostly located in the B.O.B.
 
This upscale, classy café that is perfect for relaxing gets my highest rating. Five out of Five. Oh and one more thing…they deliver!
 
Quick Facts
LOCATION: 1431 Plainfield Ave NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49505
HOURS: Tuesday-Sunday 7am to 8pm
WEB: http://redballjetcafe.thegilmorecollection.com/
PHONE: (616) 719-5500
GET OUT! FACTOR (OUT OF 5): !!!!!

Oberlin’s Top 3
3. The mix of old fashion and contemporary
2. The wood fired Pizza’s
1. The real fruit smoothies