Information on Traverse City, Michigan and the surrounding Northwest Michigan area

Autumn Guide, October 2006

Let's Do Lunch

Hamming it up at Ham-Bonz

by doug davenport
For more restaurant profiles, see our Let's Do Lunch page

Photo by Doug Davenport
Ham-Bonz has been serving hearty breakfast and lunch in Traverse City for 10 years.

Address: 1108 E. 8th St., Traverse City (GET MAP)

Phone: 929-9288

Accommodations: It's called, "The Home of the Pit Grill" and "Traverse City's Best Kept Secret," but it's no secret why locals love to grab breakfast and lunch at this friendly diner, located at the corner of E. 8th Street and Garfield Road. For 10 years Ham-Bonz has been serving ham, corned beef, and pit-smoked pork, chicken and beef specialties. The small dining area accommodates about 20 at tables, with five more stools at the counter. Nothing fancy here, just good, fast order eatin'.

Ham-Bonz does honor to the lowly pig, as evidenced by the collection of ceramic, soft stuffed and plastic toy porkers displayed all over the place. Open Mon.-Sat. from 7 a.m. until 3 p.m., and Sun. from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Carry-out is available, and half or whole hams are also sold.

Pricing and features: Breakfast plates range from $5-9. Try the hearty Ham-Bonz Special. This platter is filled with three eggs as you like 'em, ham, corned beef hash, potatoes and toast.

Omelets are $6-9.50. Need a hearty breakfast before work? The Ultimate Omelet has six eggs, steak, potato, onion, mushrooms, pepper and a mix of cheeses. Or try the 8th Street Omelet, a blend of eggs, ham, onion, pepper and cheese served on a bed of fried potatoes. How about a classic Western Omelet, Ham-Bonz style with pulled pork?

Stacked sandwiches with ham, turkey or corned beef run $6-8. Pit smoked sandwiches of pulled pork, ham, turkey, beef or chicken are $7-8. The pulled pork sandwich is the house favorite.

Lunch specialties include a half-pound burger with fries for $7. You'll find southern selections too. Huevos rancheros and quesadillas are available around $8. Homemade bean or split pea soups are featured daily.

My selection: On two separate outings, I sampled the pulled pork sandwich first and the pit ham sandwich the second time. Both sandwiches are served on a large roll, fry-toasted on the grill. The pulled pork was tender and tasty with a nice barbecue sauce. The Pit Ham was shredded and fried over the hot griddle, salty and stacked high. The cooks and waitresses are hustling orders but always have time to say hi, or bring that next cup of coffee.