Let's be honest: you just opened this article dying to know what the wonders of the little world of Allendale, Michigan, truly are. I'll let you know if I ever figure them out...
But honestly, if you are a Grand Valley State University student, professor, or alumni in the middle of the "Dirty Dale," you know there is nothing. No wonders. At all. End of article.
Well, no, not really. There might not be extravagant features and sights, and yet Allendale still holds an odd special place in all of our hearts. Here you can see the hidden "treasures" or, uh, smells that make Allendale a part of every GVSU students' life. Welcome to the wonders of Allendale.
1. The Smell (Thanks Eric).
It's a beautiful Allendale summer day. The sun is shining, the darties are dartying, and the smell of thousands of turkeys bless the entire land, hence the name Dirty Dale. And yet for some reason the smell of the Allendale "turkey farm" just makes it feel like home, although I could happily do without it as well. The hotter the day, the worse the smell. It's glorious.
2. You have three choices.
Hungry? Or want to grab a drink with friends? Just looking for a place to hang out and have some fun? Well, you have the choices of Peppino's Sports Grille , Main Street Pub, or Mully's Bar and Grill. Pick your poison. That's all you get. Thanks Allendale.
3. The summer construction.
Want to get down 48th Avenue? Not today Satan. Let me just make your whole car feel like it's going to fall apart as you drive 25 mph down a bumpy, dirt road that used to resemble 48th Avenue.
4. McDonald's ice cream.
Shhh. Be quiet! The McDonald's ice cream machine in Allendale can sense fear. If you're craving any type of frozen treat, you should face the fact that McDonald's ice cream machine will always be "broken" or "out of order" or "out to kill all of your frozen dairy wants and needs." It's truly tragic.
5. The farms. And farms. And farms.
And more farms, and more farms. Yeah, that's Allendale for you. If you listen closely on a quiet morning you can here the goats off in the distance. That's how you know you're really home.
6. There's a college there too, so I guess that's pretty cool.
Oh yeah, I almost forgot. Past the never-ending array of corn fields and open farm land, there is actually a pretty cool university in the middle of nowhere. So the Dirty Dale is more than just turkey farmers and nothingness.
7. Murphy's Allendale.
Want a casual Saturday morning breakfast? Just a short two hour wait at Murphy's Family Restaurant in Allendale and it will conquer your cinnamon roll pancake craving. You didn't even realize you had a cinnamon roll pancake craving until now. It's worth it. I promise.
8. Grand Coney.
Hungover? Grand Coney. Yeah, I guess that pretty much covers all you need to know about that.
9. Screaming Needle Tattoo and Piercing
Feeling rebellious on a Tuesday? Screaming Needle has you covered. 2 for $30. I mean come on, the place is called "Screaming Needle." How bad can it really be?
10. Motmans
Want some plants? Or maybe some fresh fruit? Motmans can help you out. Only like three days out of the year though. They are closed every other time.
Overall, the Dirty Dale is our own little special place. Love it or hate it, we still call it our home each and every day. From the smell of turkeys to the drinks at Mully's, there is definitely no place like Allendale.
