8340 Portage RoadThey’re back! They’re back!
I can not tell you how much I’ve missed Kelvin & Co Urban BBQ. One of my family’s favorite dinners used to be brisket (for me), pulled pork (for J) and mac & cheese (for L) from Kelvin & Co when they were on West Main Street. It was great because I could also walk next door and get fries from Five Guys for me and then next to that get a sandwich from Jimmy Johns for B. It was the best dinner ever. Everyone got what they wanted and everyone was happy.
Then Kelvin & Co closed. Again.
They’ve had four different locations in Kalamazoo (and one in Grand Rapids) and I’ve been disappointed every single time they’ve had to close. First it was the original location downtown. Then the Portage location by Sams Club. Then there was a walk up window on the Kalamazoo Mall. And of course my beloved Oshtemo Township location.
But they’re back with a new Portage location and I can get that amazing brisket again.
The new Kelvin & Co Urban BBQ location is actually one I’m quite familiar with. It’s on Portage Road just north of Zylman Avenue. It’s the building next to Erbelli’s that was Via Gelato then Roll Up Ice Cream and Tea. It sits back off the road a bit and shares a parking lot with Erbelli’s.
The only problem with this location is it’s so far from where I live. The Michiganders Windy City Dawghouse down the street has the same problem. A place I love but so far from home and not easy for me to get to. It’s such a bummer.
I happened to be in the area for work around dinner time so I texted J and told her my plan. I made sure to ask if she wanted anything so I didn’t come with BBQ and get in trouble for not bringing her something.
I finished up my job a little after 6:00 and the restaurant closes at 7:00. I wasn’t too far away but I figured I should probably just put my order in using their online ordering system to make sure I get it in in time.
I really wasn’t that far away and I got to the restaurant by about 6:30 to pick up my food.
The layout is really similar to what it used to be for Rolled Up Ice Cream. The long counter is still there where the ice cream used to be made. You order at one end of the counter and for the most part, they assemble everything in front of you out of buffet style trays then you pay at the other end of the counter.
There is a really large dining room that takes up the rest of the space. The theme has definitely changed from ice cream to BBQ but it’s a pretty similar layout to what it has been for the previous tenants. I was worried about getting to the restaurant before it closed up shop for the night…always a concern with BBQ since they close when they run out of food, but there were still several people coming in to order as I was waiting to pick up my bag of food.
I kept my order pretty simple. I got 1/2 lb of brisket and an individual cup of Jalapeno Mac & Cheese for myself and just an order for fries for J. The cost was a little over $20 before the tip.
I could not wait to get in to the brisket when I got home. Kelvin & Co has always had some of the bet brisket I’ve ever had. The 1/2 lb portion was three fairly thick slices of super tender, juicy, salty meat. To say I’ve missed this brisket is an understatement. I could sit and eat the whole dang brisket if it wouldn’t cost me a couple hundred bucks to do so. There is a delicious saltiness from the bark and the pieces just melt away soon as I pick them up. It’s so dang good and I’m always disappointed when it’s gone.
I chose the Jalapeno Mac as my side because this has always been my go-side choice at Kelvin & Co. The mac is a really thick, creamy cheddar mac with large elbow macaroni noodles with pieces of jalapeno mixed in. I had some leftover Texas sauce that I poured in to make it a little extra spicy. I love the combination of mac & cheese with good BBQ sauce and these two together were perfect and perfectly spicy.
All J wanted was an order for fries and that is something new for Kelvin & Co. I’m not sure any of the previous locations ever had fries. That’s why I always went to Five Guys to get some.
It looks like Rollup Ice Cream may have left the fryers and maybe even their fry cutter. The fresh cut fries have a really unique cut to them. They’re delicious though. Don’t tell J I took one. I will have to make a decision in the future whether to continue with the mac or switch to fries for my side.
I am super happy to see Kelvin & Co Urban BBQ back in business. It’s always been one of my favorite places to eat in town. It can be pricey but all BBQ can be pricey. The thing that makes it worth it is it’s always a delicious meal. I can honestly say I’ve never been disappointed with a Kelvin & Co. meal.