The Announcer is delivered to you as a free monthly publication serving Allendale Township. It is brought to you by the Allendale Area Chamber of Commerce.
WEBSITE: www.allendalechamber.org
OFFICE HOURS: By Appointment
ADS SENT TO: Christie Tidd at allendaleannouncer@gmail.com
For many people in Allendale, some of life’s best memories come with the smell of fresh baked bread, sizzling burgers, and waffle fries.
For decades, Mancino's Pizza & Grinders and Mug Shots Burgers & Brews have been more than restaurants — they’ve been gathering places for families, students, athletes, and friends throughout the community.
At the center of it all are longtime Allendale residents Mike and Angie Sirotko, whose commitment to family, faith, hard work, and community has helped turn both restaurants into local staples.
Mike’s love for the restaurant industry started early while living in Germany as a child.
“I loved the food, hospitality, and atmosphere everywhere we went,” he said.
HOW MUG SHOTS AND MANCINO’S BECAME ALLENDALE FAVORITES
Written by Angie Ecklund, AACC Director
That passion eventually led him to work at Mancino’s in Big Rapids, where he met Angie. Later, an opportunity to help operate another location opened the door for the couple to establish their own restaurant in Allendale — a decision that would shape both their family’s future and the local dining scene.
The journey was not always easy. The Sirotkos faced major challenges through the years, including the aftermath of 9/11, economic downturns, and growing competition. But through it all, they relied on perseverance and the work ethic they were raised with.
“We grew up believing success is earned through hard work,” Mike said.
For Angie, family became one of the biggest motivators.
“At first we wanted to make our parents proud,” she shared. “Later, we wanted to be good role models for our children.”
That family-centered culture is part of what customers immediately notice when they walk through the doors.
At Mancino’s, guests are greeted by the smell of fresh baked bread and homemade ingredients. At Mug Shots, customers step into a playful jail-themed atmosphere
complete with mock jail bars, clever décor, and creative menu items that have helped make the restaurant one of Allendale’s most recognizable dining destinations.
The concept has clearly resonated with the community. Mug Shots has earned “Best Burger in Allendale” honors in the Best of Allendale awards for three consecutive years.
Behind the scenes, much of the food is still made from scratch — from Mancino’s fresh baked bread to Mug Shots’ homemade burger buns, hand-dipped onion rings, desserts, and signature toppings.
Beyond the restaurants themselves, Mike and Angie have become known for their support of the Allendale community through local schools, athletics, nonprofits, church initiatives, and Chamber events.
“Supporting the community matters because the community supported us when we took a chance and built here.” Mike said.
That spirit of family extends into the businesses themselves. Their three sons grew up around the restaurants, learning customer service and hard work at an early age.
The Sirotkos laugh about memories of snow days spent sledding on giant parking lot snow piles, kids sleeping behind the counter after exhausting afternoons of play, and their boys standing on dish racks just to learn how to run the cash register.
“They loved bringing their friends in to make pizzas,” Angie said.
Today, the restaurants continue to serve generations of customers — from longtime residents to Grand Valley State University students returning years later with families of their own.
At the center of everything the Sirotkos have built is a simple philosophy: treat people well, work hard, and give back whenever possible.
That approach has helped Mancino’s and Mug Shots become more than successful businesses.
They’ve become part of the story of Allendale itself.
2026 Presenting Sponsor:
Township board mee�ng dates are June 8th and 22nd at 6:00pm. You can find board agendas and minutes on our website: www.allendalemi.gov
Allendale Water System - 2025 Water Quality Report
Is my water safe? Yes. Allendale Water System customers con�nue to receive water that meets or exceeds all the requirements of the Safe Water Drinking Act (SWDA). We are pleased to present the 2025 Water Quality Report (Consumer Confidence Report) as required by the SWDA. To ensure tap water is safe to drink, the Environmental Protec�on Agency (EPA) prescribes regula�ons which limit the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems and annually requires water systems to provide informa�on to their customers regarding the quality of the water provided. To view the full report, please go to: allendalemi.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Allendale-CCR-2025.pdf
Thank you,
Chad Doornbos, Superintendent of Public U�li�es
