| WEBSITE | NAME | ADDRESS | ST |
$ |
SVC | AMB | WHAT DAN SAYS ABOUT THE PLACE & THE FOOD: |
| 8th Street Grill | 20 W 8th St., Holland, MI | MI | $$ | 7 | 7 | Surrounded by charming, historic decor, this restaurant offers delicious American favorites including great sandwiches, salads, a great soup bar, and "Blue Plate" specials. | |
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Ala Mode Café | 611 Maple St, Big Rapids |
MI | $$ | 8 | 7 | All of a dozen tables here, but you'll feel right at home with their specials. Excellent 1/2# burgers. This place is a well kept local secret with lot's of history. Great desserts, too. |
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At The Diner | 120 East Main, Zeeland, MI |
MI | $$ | 5 | 5 | I struggle with the write-up on this place. I know Len the owner and he's a nice guy trying real hard. But if I was a writer for, say, The Press, today (10.27.07) it wouldn't have been a good day for me to walk into this place. Perhaps on my next visit they'll have potatoes. Or will it be 3 for 3? |
| WEBSITE | Barn, The | US-31 & Stanton Rd. in West Olive | MI | $$ | 8 | 7 | Built in 1880 and moved to its present location, this place offers great meals at a fair price. When you are finished, go "underground" to their dance-hall / bar and enjoy some entertainment. |
| WEBSITE | B.D.'s Mongolian Barbeque | Regional | US | $$ | 8 | 7 | Great for lunch; I hear dinner gets a bit pricey. The process is, you bring your raw ingredients (from their "sneeze-bar") to the cooks who will prepare your meal for you on an open grill. Friendly wait staff brings drinks and sides. A fun place. |
| WEBSITE | B.O.B., The (Big Ol' Building) | Downtown Grand Rapids | MI | $$$ | 7 | 8 | This one is hard to rate because of all the variety. Three floors, a steak place, a fish joint and a couple of bars; A comedy club and so on. It's THE place to be before a hockey game at the Van Andel! |
| Blazers Sports Pub ● Bistro | 977 Butternut, Holland | MI | Replaced by "Turk's". Ate there once; no review yet. | ||||
| WEBSITE | Boatwerks Restaurant- | Holland (near Kollen Park) | MI | $$$$ | 9 | 7 | Much improved over my last visit! Great menu; awesome service. When a place is packed on a Friday night, you know the wait will be worth it. ON THE WATER. |
| WEBSITE | Bonefish Grill | Nationwide, 30 states | US | $$$$ | 10 | 9 | This is a "happenin' place; great bar, excellent restaurant. Top-notch service and superb food (seafood and beef). |
| Broadway Bar & Grill, | Broadway & Sixth, Grand Rapids | MI | $ | 4 | 2 | It's all about the burger (photo below). It's got to be the best in GR! Don't try it if you're on a diet. This baby racks up 200 fat grams and 6340 calories (estimated). "Shut up and eat your burger". | |
| CLOSED! | Broadway Cafe & Ice Cream Parlor | Near Westshore Mall, Holland | MI | $$ | 2 | 5 | Reminder to self: DO NOT GO HERE AGAIN! The [food] was
SO greasy I refused to eat it. Worse, they kept it on my bill! Four
tries here; no more! Yuk. UPDATE: BUSINESS CLOSED! |
| WEBSITE | Buffalo Wild Wings | Nation Wide | US | $$ | 7 | 8 | This place is family oriented but designed to be a sports bar and lounge. Great menu variety. Awesome boneless wings. |
| WEBSITE | Carino's Italian Food | Nation Wide | US | $$$ | 4 | 8 | Great lasagna; lousy service! (Holland, MI) Used to be top-notch service. That has changed in more recent trips. |
| WEBSITE | Carrabba's | Nation Wide | US | $$$ | 7 | 9 | Authentic Italian recipes. Mmmm..... good! |
| WEBSITE | Cattleman's Steakhouse | Indian Cliffs Ranch, near El Paso | TX | $$$$ | 9 | 8 | Visit a legendary Texas steakhouse! I did. It was one of the best steaks I ever had. Sides served up home-style. Ask any El Pasoan and they'll give this place high regard. That's how we found it. |
| WEBSITE | Chili's Restarants | World Wide | $$ | 2 | 5 | This place just never seems to excite me for such a popular restaurant. Every one I've been to in the past year or so has been plagued with problems... bad food, poor service, etc. Tonight I just walked out with my whole family in tow I was so upset! (Now closed).Good luck on this one. | |
| WEBSITE | CityVū Bistro | 61 E 7th Street, Holland | MI | $$$ | 8 | 9 | Experience decadent fare. From unique breakfast creations, and an array of flatbread dinners and small plates celebrating the sweet and savory sides of life, to a 100+ wine list with 24 wines available by the glass, there’s something for everyone at the top. |
| WEBSITE | Clementine's | St. Joseph | MI | $$ | 6 | 7 | Nice location on the St. Joe River; food was good. Staff seemed inattentive to their customers. |
| Copemish Lounge | Copemish | MI | $ | 4 | 2 | Best burger in Copemish! Make it your family destination on the way to Crystal Mountain Resort... ask for the waitress with teeth. | |
| WEBSITE | Cottage Bar, The | Downtown Grand Rapids | MI | $$ | 4 | 4 | Look, it's simple. The place has been in business since 1927! They have a burger that's been voted "Best Burger in GR" numerous times. Just find it and get the Cottage Burger then you'll know why. |
| Cousin's Bar-BQ | DFW Airport Terminal | TX | $$ | 3 | 3 | I just stumbled onto this place... but let me tell you, for airport food, this place has got the best beef brisket around! | |
| WEBSITE | Cracker Barrel | Nation Wide | US | $$ | 7 | 7 | Mmmmm! Breakfast anytime. The food is great! My favorite is the "Uncle Herschel"...then you take the [sugar cured] ham, the egg and the toast & you make a sandwich out of it...Ooooh, so good. Many other fine selections for lunch or dinner as well. Plenty of nostalgic stuff in the gift shop, too. |
| WEBSITE | Crazy Horse | Lakewood Blvd., Holland | MI | $$$ | 9 | 9 | Steakhouse & Saloon. Always busy. Reservations recommended. 395-8393. Voted: Best Steaks '03, '04, '05, '06, '07, '08; Best restaurant: '06, '07, '08 (and probably many more).'Nuff said? |
| WEBSITE | Cygnus 27 | Downtown Grand Rapids | MI | $$$$$ | 10 | 9 | High atop the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel, Cygnus 27 transports you to a rhythmic environment among the stars. The trend-setting décor inspired by the Cygnus constellation, globally influenced American entrees, and captivating scenic views of the Grand Rapids skyline, promise an epic dining experience. |
| WEBSITE | Dee-Lite Bar & Grill | 24 Washington, Grand Haven | MI | $$ | 9 | 8 | We've been enjoying Sunday brunch here for years. The "Farmers Breakfast" will feed a family. There is usually a large crowd waiting to get in (Sundays), but they know how to handle it. Service is awesome! |
| Docker's Sports Bar | Ft. Myers Beach | FL | $$ | 6 | 8 | The pizzas here are outstanding. Plenty of TV's for the game. Service is SLOW when they get busy. | |
| WEBSITE | Don Pablo's | Texas & 17 Eastern states | US | $$ | 8 | 8 | "Big Tex-Bold Mex". I have only eaten lunch here. The Rico's Lunch is my favorite. Good stuff! Too bad they CLOSED in Grand Rapids! |
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El Rancho 4 | Riley & US-31, Holland |
MI | $$ | 6 | 8 | A very nice addition to the Holland restaurant selection. Not a value destination, however, the food was great and the staff was attentive. UPDATE: the "B" staff doesn't do very well. This was NOT the place to be on Mothers Day! |
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El Sombrero | Downtown Grand Rapids | MI | $$ | 7 | 6 | I will have to try here again. We had dinner which was rather authentic and tasty. The wet burritos were huge. |
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Frank's Restaurant | 134 E Main Ave Zeeland, MI |
MI | $ | 7 | 7 | "Shut up and eat your burger!" An old-time 50's diner that just hasn't left the past. You can still sit at the soda bar and enjoy good company. Best burgers, fries & onion-rings in Zeeland. DON'T stop here if you're on a diet! NO Credit Cards. |
| WEBSITE | Gandolfo's Deli | Nationwide | US | $$ | 8 | 7 | There isn't another one of these stores within 600 miles and we have one in our back yard. I'm gonna LOVE this place. Just look at all the good food on their website! Burgers are yielding to sandwiches every day. Franchises available! |
| WEBSITE | Goog's Pub & Grub |
667 Hastings Avenue, Holland
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MI | $$ | 7 | 7 | On this first visit, the place was hoppin' busy. A couple minor problems, but all was well. The BURGERS were outstanding! Voted best 2007, 2008. |
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WEBSITE |
Great American Land & Cattle Co. | 2220 N Yarbrough El Paso | TX | $$$ | 9 | 8 | This place stepped up to the challenge when we called in a reservation for 40 people! The menu is outstanding: excellent beef, fish, chicken and so on. A great choice when visiting El Paso! (If you see Dave, the owner, tell him I sent you). Our group has eaten here since 2008. |
| WEBSITE | Grill House, The | City of Allegan | MI | $$$ | 8 | 9 | This is where YOU become the grill master. You grill your choice steak on their 8' x 10' grill. All you need to do is have some fun. It's like a backyard barbeque indoors. I highly recommended this place at least once! |
| WEBSITE | Grill Room, The | Downtown Grand Haven | MI | $$$ | 6 | 7 | This place comes from a long line of fine restaurants. However, on this night, with a large party, I was disappointed. How does a steak come out medium rare when you ask for "medium-well, no pink, butterfly if necessary"? The meat was excellent, albeit, undercooked. I will, however, return to try once more! |
| WEBSITE | Honey Creek Inn | Downtown Cannonsburg | MI | $$ | 7 | 7 | Great food. I have only made one trip here and that was lunch, but the place looked worthy of a return trip! |
| WEBSITE | Hooter's | Ft. Myers Beach | FL | $$ | 8 | 7 | I'm not a big "Hooter's" fan... won't get into my reasons, however, Mattie, made all the difference in the world. An excellent waitress who works hard! |
| WEBSITE | Hooter's | Kalamazoo | MI | $$ | 6 | 7 | Just another "Hooters" restaurant... yawn. Where's the fun? |
| WEBSITE | Iguana Mia | Bonita Springs | FL | $$$ | 7 | 8 | An excellent choice for Mexican food. This place has authentic dishes, good service and a long wait to get in. That alone is a testimony. Highly recommended. |
| Junkanoo's On The Beach | Ft. Myers Beach | FL | $$$ | 8 | 6 | This was a nice place with a view of the ocean. Food was excellent. A busy place! | |
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Kiki's Mexican Restaurant | 2719 N. Piedros, El Paso |
TX | $$ | 7 | 7 | This is a bar-restaurant that serves up authentic Mexican food. It's only a mile from the border. Whether you order Rosa's Mole or the Machaca, you're gonna love this place! Been there twice. |
| WEBSITE | Kobe Steak House | World Wide | $$$ | 6 | 8 | This is a fun place for groups. The chef makes it exciting. I recommend the "Asahi Super Dry" beer... a great choice. Plan on a long wait to get seated. | |
| WEBSITE | Leo's | Downtown Grand Rapids | MI | $$$$ | 8 | 8 | The menu features a diverse selection of seafood options, all fresh and properly prepared, served with wild rice, vegetables, chutneys or potatoes. The menu also offers pastas, chicken and beef dishes as well as a handful of vegetarian options. Dedicated to uncompromising quality. |
| WEBSITE | Logan's Roadhouse | Nation Wide | US | $$$ | 7 | 6 | We pretty much OPENED the Logan's in Holland back in 2002(?). Until around 2009 it was great but recently has been slipping in quality and service. |
| WEBSITE | Louis Benton Steak House | Downtown Grand Rapids | MI | $$$$$ | 10 | 9 | Nice cigar-lounge; This is the place to go when you want to impress your spouse, client or date! No need to take the elevator to the 27th floor! Complementary valet parking. Excellent meats...first class all the way! |
| Mabel's Family Restaurant | Traverse City | MI | $$ | 8 | 7 | This former "Flap Jack Shack" ALWAYS has a wait to get in (should tell you something). Excellent breakfast served anytime. Great breads from their own bakery. | |
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Maria's | Fort Myers | FL | $$ | 6 | 4 | This place is a "hole-in-the-wall". Bring your own twill! Maria and her staff work hard to make sure your food is excellent. Burgers, fish. Just before the bridge, it's masqueraded as a fruit & vegetable stand! Reminds me of Juarez! |
| WEBSITE | Matanza's Inn | Ft. Myers Beach | FL | $$$$ | 6 | 7 | Award winning waterfront dining in a casual old Florida atmosphere. The night we ate here, things didn't move too quick. Good food, though. |
| Mill Creek Tavern | Downtown Comstock Park | MI | $$ | 8 | 9 | My quick, affordable lunch was awesome. Certainly dinners and drinks in the evening will excel! Historical charm. Our waitress did an outstanding job. Well worth the visit. | |
| WEBSITE | New Holland Brewing Co. | Downtown Holland | MI | $$$ | 8 | 7 | Pizza, salad, soup, sandwiches and more. Along with your favorite home-brew. I like this place better every time I come here. Waitresses like Nicole make the difference! As does The Niche Band. Check 'em out! |
| WEBSITE | Old Boys Brew House |
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MI | $$ | 8 | 7 | I have eaten here quite a few times with large groups of friends on weekends. Considering this, the service has been good and the variety and quality of the food is great! |
| WEBSITE | Old Chicago | Nation Wide | US | $$ | 7 | 7 | Nice sports bar; great lunch buffet. Join the beer club and be a winner if you consume all 101 varieties of beer they offer. |
| WEBSITE | Olive Garden | Nation Wide | US | $$$ | 8 | 9 | More good Italian food! Nice place for a business lunch or Sunday dinner with the family. |
| WEBSITE | On the Border | Nation Wide | US | $$$ | 6 | 7 | One of my favorites for Mexican food. Grandville location always seems understaffed; Good margaritas; Great menu selection. |
| WEBSITE | One Trick Pony | Downtown Grand Rapids | MI | $$$ | 8 | 8 | Certified as the oldest continually occupied building in Grand Rapids (1856). And if that's not enough, come for the fantastic food, wine and music. |
| WEBSITE | O'Toole's Public House | Downtown Grand Rapids | MI | $$ | 8 | 7 | This is a great place for a weekday lunch. The
sandwiches & burgers are awesome. |
| WEBSITE | Ottawa Beach Inn | Holland | MI | $$$ | 6 | 7 | Close to state park; always busy on Fri & Sat nights; a packed house diminishes service levels. Great sizzlers! (Steaks, Chicken, Seafood). |
| WEBSITE | Outback | Nation Wide | US | $$$ | 7 | 7 | This has got to be the best "national" place for a steak, hands down. Always a fun, lively atmosphere. Oh, and don't forget the "Bloomin' Onion"! G'day, mate. |
| WEBSITE | Red Ball Jet Cafe | 1431 Plainfield, Grand Rapids | MI | $$ | 8 | 8 | Coffee, fruit smoothies, wood-fired pizzas, and Grand Rapid's most authentic crepe selection. Housed inside what used to be the Creston Library. My visit: a great lunch sandwich. |
| WEBSITE | Red Robin | Nation Wide | US | $$ | 7 | 6 | Like McDonald's on steroids... (Gourmet Burgers). |
| WEBSITE | Rudy's Bar-B-Q | Regional | US | $$ | 7 | 8 | A very interesting way to market food. Good beef brisket; better turkey. Authentic barbeque. Sit at a picnic table indoors and enjoy the company of others. (Southwest US). |
| WEBSITE | S.O.B. | Ft. Myers Beach | FL | $$ | 7 | 7 | The place is packed most days. If you like suckin' down raw oysters, this is the place for you! Smokin' Oyster Brewery. Entertainment, good food. Right by the bridge. |
| WEBSITE | Salt & Pepper Pub | Holland | MI | $$$ | 8 | 8 | Very nice upstart by veteran restaurant owner Mike Karas, formerly at Crazy Horse. The food was good, but I expected better based on descriptions and prices. Drinks are a bit pricey, too. BUT, I liked the place! |
| Sneaky Pete's | 3465 Bonita Beach Rd, Bonita Springs | FL | $$ | 7 | 8 | First visit in 2008 was excellent. Our 2010 visit lacked service, good food. Just another burger and fish joint. | |
| Stable Inn | 11880 US-31, Grand Haven | MI | $$ | 7 | 8 | I've had lunch & dinner here. Great meals at affordable rates. A full menu, bar, salad bar, etc. Nice place! | |
| Sundance Grill & Bar | Downtown Grand Rapids | MI | $$ | 7 | 8 | Great home-made foods; cozy atmosphere; awesome breakfasts, lunch. Emphasis on southwest cooking. | |
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Tacos El Ranchero | Grand Rapids | MI | $$ | 3 | 2 | Si, amigos. El alimento mexicano auténtico Poco a no inglés hablado aquí. Only place I have been where you can get "tongue" (not chicken, not beef) tongue on your taco!!! Ole! This is one of those places where I made one visit and I won't go back! (Recommended by one of GR's finest beat-cops). |
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Texas Cafe | Holland | MI | $$$ | 8 | 6 | Two locations (332 Lakewood Blvd. & 3349 Clearview Dr.); "Authentic Tex-Mex". Very good Mexican food (hecho por mexicanos). Best beef brisket I've had in Michigan! |
| WEBSITE | TGI Fridays | Nation Wide | US | $$$ | 7 | 8 | (Located everywhere but El Paso!). A fun place for friends and family. Great variety of meals. Always a favorite. |
| WEBSITE | Tre Cugini | Downtown Grand Rapids | MI | $$$$ | 9 | 8 | Enjoy a business luncheon, a night out with friends, celebrate a birthday or anniversary and taste mainly our authentic Italian cuisine with a great wine list. |
| CLOSED! | Via Maria (Italian Bistro) |
Downtown Holland | MI | $$$$ | 7 | 7 | UPDATE: BUSINESS CLOSED! Warm, cozy atmosphere; HUGE servings. Great wood-fired pizza! New meals/menu every day. Owner usually present. Great date place. |
| WEBSITE | Waffle House | Nation Wide 25 states |
US | $$ | 4 | 2 | Most locations are in the south. The original greasy-spoon diner! "Clogging arteries since 1955!" Mmm, Mmm, Mmm. |
| Wooden Shoe a.k.a. "The Shoe" |
US-31 at 16th St., Holland | MI | $$ | 8 | 6 | This place has been serving up great meals for 40 years! The furniture looks original, too. A simple place with a great menu. Breakfast was great. a.k.a. "The Shoe". | |
| WEBSITE | Yucatan Beach Stand | Ft. Myers Beach | FL | $$$ | 7 | 7 | Located next to S.O.B., this place is always hoppin' and busy. Burgers, steaks, seafood, salads and specialties. Another great place for food on FMB. |
| WEBSITE | Zehnder's of Frankenmuth |
Frankenmuth | MI | $$$ | 8 | 5 | Based on Mary & Ruth's visit here, they said the meal wasn't all it is claimed to be... If you want a meal prepared for the masses, this is the place for you! |
| WEBSITE | NAME | ADDRESS | ST |
$ |
SVC | AMB | FOOD, NOTES, ETC. |
