Lesbian in Lansing Recommends: Strange Matter Coffee
A Staple Third Space in Lansing with Three Locations
(and Vegan Pastries)
A new city, for me, doesn’t feel like home until I find myself regularly grooved into a customer line at my favorite coffee shop. There’s just something about it. The familiar smiles, a predictable brew, the potentially life-saving nature of a little treat on a hard day. I don’t know much that tops an iced coffee and donut before stopping by a thrift store on a sunny day. Like? Come on.
Ergo, I love Strange Matter Coffee in Lansing, MI. According to their website, this resident staple grew from a farmer’s market coffee stand in 2014 to the vibrant sister coffee shops we now see across the city. Strange Matter has graced Lansingites with a vegan bakery that stands alone in the region for their veganized traditional donuts (You don’t understand how important this is to me). They’ve also partnered with Bangos, of Bangos and Babe’s Corner, to bring us some seriously delicious vegan and omnivorous breakfast bagels and lunch options. Don’t worry, I’ll share more on these other beloved gastro-options in another article.
Menu board at Strange Matter Coffee's Eastside Location - Photo by Author
It’s clear that coffee expertise is woven into Strange Matter from brews to staff, they hire a core team and, it seems from this side of the counter, that they work to develop baristas who are deft in their craft. Although I enjoy an iced pumpkin latte with oat milk this time of year like any other flannel-wearing lesbian, I am typically a black coffee drinker. I’ve found the beverages at Strange Matter to be as consistent as they are exquisitely prepared. Quality pour-overs are paid the same attention as a shot of espresso and tend to be quick to arrive to the counter. Excepted, of course, on a busy weekend morning.
When not ordering an iced Americano I’m probably purchasing a bag of beans and redeeming my free drip coffee or cold brew. I love a deal and I need brews at home, despite my love for coffee stops, so after learning about this offering it’s quickly become my preferred whole bean option. I happen to have a fresh cup sitting next to me now.
For the predictable coffee drinker in the city, or pretty much anywhere else, they even have a coffee bag subscription service for shipment.
Of course, being here in Lansing ensures you can stop in and pick up one of the staple or rotating seasonal baked goods. I tend to lean away from any characterization of food as good on the basis that you can’t tell it’s vegan, but I must confess. Seeing a vegan donut on the menu usually conjures mental images of dry, cake-style donuts that aren’t exactly the squishy donut dough experience that I’m looking for. They’re fine, but I had a donut-shaped hole in my heart and no donut holes in my stomach.
Close up of Vegan Donuts in a display case at Strange Matter’s Eastside location — Photo by Author
Fortunately, Strange Matter comes through with a perfect iced chocolate ring donut that is indistinguishable from the early morning treats I would have with my Paw Paw growing up.
Except, of course, that these have better sprinkles that acknowledge and celebrate visibility days and holidays that I care about.
Strange Matter consistently partners with local organizations to garner donations, highlighting important community actions I may not have known about otherwise.
They have free wifi, friendly, smiles, an inclusive space, complimentary ice water, and some of the best brews in Lansing. I see people working, stopping in with kids, having meetings, making art, and just being together.
Lastly, I love their community board at the Eastside location. This is my favorite physical stop to see what is going on in Lansing. Support groups, art friends, garage sales, live music, and more are busily updated on the corkboard by the back door. I feel I have to name my explicit appreciation for this bulletin, it’s something I think I’ve been missing in communities I’ve lived in.
So, say no to burned roasts and sour brews! Check out Strange Matter at one of their three locations.
The Eastside location has had some construction on Michigan Ave, but don’t be deterred! There is parking in the back and street parking on the sides and, when the street is open, out front. There are other shops nearby worth checking out if you feel you need more reason to park. This is the location with the bulletin board.
Their Downtown location has the sandwiches I mentioned as well as the bakery options. Weekends are busy, but in my anecdotal experience, this location runs out of donuts slower than Eastside. Parking is paid after 8 a.m. M-F. Downtown, what can you do? Parking is free on the weekends.
Full disclosure, I haven’t been to the Strange Matter MSU Coffee Union. I feel confident in referring you there if you’re on campus based on my experience at the other shops!
Strange Matter Eastside — 2010 E Michigan Ave #103, Lansing, MI 48912
Strange Matter Downtown — 331 S Washington Square, Lansing, MI 48933
Strange Matter MSU Coffee Union — 49 Abbot Rd Ste 113, East Lansing, MI 48824
