SAGINAW, MI — Fresh off the holiday season and a short trip to Texas where my main cuisine was every fast food restaurant that I couldn’t get back home, I was in the mood for some real soul food.
When you think of good soul food in Saginaw, Rite Spot is among the few OGs that have consistently delivered. The establishment made a name for itself and earned MLive’s “People’s Choice” award in 2014 after receiving the most votes in the Saginaw area for Michigan’s Best Taco.
But tacos aside, Rite Spot is a staple in Saginaw’s Black community.
Before becoming a take-out-only spot during the pandemic, Rite Spot was a breakfast and lunch meeting place for community leaders and elected officials. The Rev. Jesse Jackson visited once during one of his stops in the city.
Collard greens from Rite Spot, 1205 Lapeer Avenue in Saginaw.Bob Johnson
The food is great and the portions are greater!
I’ve had everything from pancakes to burgers in this joint.
This visit was strictly for some soul food, though. Soul food that you can not only taste, but feel.
One of the owners recommended the pork chop dinner.
I ordered pork chops, collard greens, macaroni and cheese and a moist hunk of hot-water cornbread. What I received was pure soul on a plate!
When I bit into one of those crispy, juicy and well-seasoned fried pork chops, I could imagine my own grandmother had whispered the recipe straight into the grease.
Pork chop dinner from Rite Spot, 1205 Lapeer Avenue in SaginawBob Johnson
The mac-n-cheese was – well, cheesy, and the greens and cornbread gave it the stamp of Sunday meal authenticity.
Pro tip: Ask for hot sauce to spice up the greens and chops.
Though they offer a variety of desserts like peach cobbler, cookies, slices of cake and cupcakes, I didn’t indulge this time. However, I couldn’t resist one of my favorite snack/comfort foods from there – fried chicken gizzards.
Fried chicken gizzards from Rite Spot, 1205 Lapeer Avenue in Saginaw.Bob Johnson
The fastest way to my heart is a hot batch of those crispy-on-the-outside, chewy-in-the-middle gizzards drizzled with Frank’s RedHot sauce. But only when they are piping hot. If you won’t finish them, they turn out pretty good reheated in an air fryer.
I highly recommend Rite Spot.
Send an email to me at bob_johnson@mlive.com or follow me on Facebook to suggest more foods you want me to try.
Follow the Rite Spot on Facebook for hours and menu.
Address: 1205 Lapeer Avenue in Saginaw
Phone: 989-754-6001