Tastes and Tales from the Travelers Club International Restaurant & Tuba Museum: Dishes that Inspire, Stories that Delight from Michigan's Most Unusual Eatery

by Jennifer Byrom

It's not often you hear fellow diners playing the tuba while you decide between stir fry and baba ghanoush, but this was normal at The Traveler’s Club International Restaurant and Tuba Museum in Okemos, Michigan. Whether you were an out-of-town musician trying one of the vintage tubas, or a local stopping by for the third time that week, The Traveler’s Club offered you more than just great food—it gave you something to look forward to.

For twenty years, The Traveler’s Club was Jennifer Byrom’s respite for diners and employees alike, where she crafted both her recipes and relationships with care. While its doors are now closed, its spirit lives on. In Tastes and Tales from the Traveler’s Club , Jennifer shares the recipes and philosophies that took a tiny hole-in-the-wall on a sleepy street corner to a state-wide treasure. You’ll learn how Jennifer makes her famous falafel, the ingredients that should always be in your pantry, and why the “rules” of her recipes are meant to be broken. Above all, you’ll see how life was a little brighter—and people were a lot happier—inside the four walls of The Traveler’s Club.

286 pages, Paperback

Published July 31, 2020

Reviews

[Robin Langford · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book reads like Jennifer herself: fun, creative, a little scattered, but definitely heading somewhere! The Traveler’s Club was our favorite restaurant when we first moved to East Lansing. We were so sad when it closed.
In His grace, God put us at the same church as Jennifer. She is a fantastic cook and a generous person. I’m grateful that I and my kids have gotten to glean from her life and expertise. The recipes she includes in the book at top notch!! I’m excited to try some!

[Brian Langford · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great, fun book to read. It is a history of the travelers club restaurant, an authentic glimpse into the author’s life and a diverse batch of recipes. I enjoyed the semi random flow of the book. You can tell it was written by someone who would take a year long camping trip across the world!

[Rick Bourque · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a unique read and writing style! I was drawn into the bigger story behind the biography, behind the food. Here's a tale--no, a recipe--for community; the merger of three simple ingredients: good food, amateur musicians, and diverse neighbors or travelers. I recall tasting blanched sweet corn just hours after it had been picked realizing from that experience I'd never really tasted true corn before. Tastes and Tales makes me hunger for an experience I've only rarely enjoyed: real community--a love of each other's regular company; family.

[Laura K · Rating 4 out of 5]

Now it will live with my cookbooks. A little chatty and random, but the recipes all look tasty and the ingredients lists very accessible. I miss TC!

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I worked for William White through high school and college and this was such a great insider read on a sorely missed and interesting place.

[Matthew Chapman · Rating 5 out of 5]

As unique a book as the restaurant was. Interesting recipes. I really miss the Traveller’s Club.

[Tanvi · Rating 5 out of 5]

i never got to go to the travelers club as it closed before i was old enough to appreciate it. i first saw this book at schulers and decided to pick it up a few months later and have not regretted it. this was a wonderful way to learn more about this place that i never got to experience. it makes it more sad reading this since they tore down the building just a few days ago. even though the buildings gone the travelers club legacy will live on.