News Summary
Noco Provisions, a cherished gastropub in Grand Rapids’ Eastmont neighborhood, marks a decade of serving elevated comfort food. Despite the challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic, the restaurant has remained a vital part of the community, adapting its offerings and continuing to draw patrons with its diverse menu and welcoming atmosphere. As it celebrates this milestone, Noco Provisions looks forward to future expansions while maintaining its commitment to quality and community engagement.
Grand Rapids – Noco Provisions is celebrating a decade of serving the Eastmont neighborhood in Grand Rapids, having become a beloved local gastropub over the last ten years. This community-centered establishment, located at 4609 Cascade Rd SE, is recognized for its elevated comfort food and welcoming atmosphere, making it an ideal destination for a variety of occasions, from family dinners to first dates and business lunches.
Recent challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic tested the resilience of Noco Provisions, yet the restaurant adapted effectively, remaining a crucial dining option for the community. The restaurant offered accessibility even during restrictions, contributing to its reputation as “the local spot.” General manager Ryan Sichta underscored the restaurant’s importance to the neighborhood by focusing on convenience and comfort for patrons.
Menu Highlights
Noco Provisions features a diverse menu divided into two main categories: “Provisions” and “Northern Comfort.” The Provisions menu offers a range of handheld options, including cheeseburgers, chicken sandwiches, wraps, and tacos, with the signature Chicken Sandwich priced at $18. This popular item is garnished with white cheddar, kale slaw, and green chili aioli, showcasing the restaurant’s commitment to quality and taste.
In addition to the handhelds, the Northern Comfort section includes heartier dishes such as pasta, parmesan chicken, flank steak, plus an array of seafood options. For vegetarian diners, the Hoppin Jane is a noteworthy dish priced at $28, featuring black-eyed peas, Minnesota wild rice, smoked tomato sauce, butternut squash, cauliflower, spinach, roasted red peppers, and green goddess dressing. The restaurant is also known for its Noco Nachos, a popular appetizer available for $16.50, which includes roasted green chili queso, charred sweet corn, pickled red onions, cotija cheese, black beans, ranchero cream, and cilantro.
Beverage and Ambiance
Providing a full-service bar, Noco Provisions offers an extensive selection of cocktails, craft beers, and wines, complementing its food menu perfectly. The restaurant features a carefully designed interior that includes luxurious fixtures, tufted booths, and checkered flooring, creating an inviting and stylish ambiance. Ryan Sichta described the setting as having a “sexy” vibe with a “good ambiance.”
Noco Provisions also has a dedicated section for wine club members, featuring a wall of lighted compartments designed for storing members’ private selections. Though currently limited in capacity, the wine club offers benefits such as private tastings, quarterly dinners, wholesale prices, and preferential reservations. Future expansions of the wine club are being considered to enhance the experience for loyal patrons.
Community Commitment and Future Plans
The restaurant’s establishment filled a gap in the local dining scene that arose after the closure of the Forest Hills Inn in 2016. Noco Provisions aims to create a community-centered dining experience by prioritizing value, comfort, and a welcoming atmosphere for locals. In response to the urgency for outdoor dining options during the pandemic, Noco Provisions created a spacious outdoor area equipped with tents and heated spaces, allowing patrons to enjoy their meals safely in the open air.
As Noco Provisions marks its ten-year milestone, it continues to embody the spirit of community dining in Grand Rapids, with plans for potential expansion and enhancements to its menu and services in the future. Through dedication to quality and a focus on local engagement, Noco remains a cornerstone of the Eastmont neighborhood and a favorite destination for all who seek delightful comfort food.
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Additional Resources
- MLive: West Michigan Gastropub
- Grand Rapids Magazine: Top 10 Restaurants
- GR Kids: Outdoor Dining Restaurants
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Restaurant
- Mix 95.7 GR: Tacos and Tequila
