Every time we are in Grand Rapids, MI we always make sure to go breakfast here b/c of great food and service.
(5)
Timothy M.
Brandywine never ever lets me down! Anything you get will fill you up and is hands down some of the best food in Grand Rapids for the price. My personal faves: the burrito, the Eggs Timothy, or any skillet. The burgers and sandwiches are good too. This location is a close walk from anywhere in Eastown and they just put a new location on the East Beltline. If you eat there, I guarantee the service to be excellent since a bunch of my friends work there. It's great so check it out.
(4)
Steven H.
By far my favorite place to eat in Grand Rapids. Amazing for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Everything on the menu is delicious and the meals are inexpensive. Also, if you're a college student you get 10% off your meal with your student ID. The only negative I have is that they charge per bag for tea, but the amazing food totally makes up for that.
(5)
christine r.
whenever i visit GRR, brandywine is a must-stop. it is an absolutely perfect little breakfast place. you can't go wrong with the skillets, and the pecan waffle is great. unless you are the hulk, you will most likely go home with leftovers :)
(5)
Robert L.
Damn me and my four stars! Here's another one. But I totally loved this place. I ate here about 2 years ago, but the memory of a certain breakfast burrito is still etched in my temporal lobe. I went to Grand Rapids to visit a dear friend of mine for the weekend. She took me to Brandywine because she said they have a great menu. She was not wrong. I couldn't decide what to get, but since NYC usually fails at creating a satisfactory breakfast burrito, if at all, I went with that. The melted cheddar cheese on the top of this swelling rhinoceros leg of a burrito was like a blanket of deliciousness. I honestly cannot remember exactly what was in this dish, but I'm sure there was no meat. Just vegetables and eggs and cheese, but I have to tell you it was magnificent. I also ordered a side of potatoes which was very good. I was seated at this table with my friend, her husband and two very young kids who made a mess, but hey! They're kids! So the place is very suitable for parties with small children. Someone said this place was basically diner food and nothing special, but I wonder if he had the breakfast burrito. I really loved that damn burrito!!! (Not sure about the other dishes, though.) I really want to return to this place someday. Not just to visit my amazing friend and her awesome family, but to also attack that breakfast burrito again. Enjoy.
(4)
Valerie R.
Friendly service and good food- plus this place has deals on Resturant.com . I was a big fan of the sweet potato tots but my omlette was pretty lack luster and didn't come with any potatoes. Good prices though- check this place out!
(3)
Alicia G.
Brandy Benedict. Beehive potatoes. These are the top two reasons why Branywine is my favorite place to eat breakfast. I've been loving Brandywine since I moved to Michigan 13 years ago. Give them a try, and make sure you order a side of those potatoes!
(5)
Alex G.
I decided to visit Brandywine based on reviews read here. I was expecting to be able to enjoy a great breakfast. However, my experience was far from what I had expected. The moment I stepped into Brandywine, I set my hopes high. I sat down at an un-bussed booth, and decided I'd rather move to a table, which was also not bussed. I wouldn't have had a problem with it, if it weren't for the fact that our soon to be waiter was just standing around doing absolutely nothing. It took a couple of minutes before he even came by and cleaned our table for us and brought us menus. After bringing us out our coffee and water, he quickly became extremely impersonal; the table next to me went as far as to call him a genuine asshole. My meal was alright. The spices used were overdone that I wasn't able to differentiate between the sweet potato and regular potato in my meal. When our waiter brought the us the check, he didn't even give us the least bit of a smile. From start to finish, my experience was not what I had hoped for. The food was good, but not good enough that I would ever suggest going there again. If you're in Grand Rapids and want to enjoy a good breakfast place, you'd be better off going to Wolfgang's down the street.
(2)
Fritz G.
After hearing so many great things about this place for so long I finally had an opportunity to stop in. The day after Thanksgiving, around 8:30 am or so. with mom out shopping the kids and I headed out. Wasn't very busy at all to start, but a lot of people showed up while we were there. We had a round table right in the window that worked well for the four of us. The decor was different than I expected - the look and feel is much more diner than I though it would be. The menu was less diverse than I expected, but thats not a bad thing because everything we had was very good. The menu is a 6 panel, one of which is the cover. Breakfast is two panels and lunch dinner items make up the rest. There is no kids menu - at least not that I saw or was given - but there are daily $1.99 specials that worked well for small appetites. Breakfast items are the typical things, and a few specialty variations. I had the Eggs Timothy which were very good and my daughter had Cinnamon Swirl French Toast which looked more like a dessert than a breakfast so she loved it. Our service was excellent. Attentive, coffee was promptly refilled, kids food brought out first - everything the way it should be. Definite recommend, I'll be back.
(4)
Simon P.
Oh Brandywine, how I love you so. Some of the best traditional and semi-traditional breakfast I've ever had. No, you won't find ricotta-stuffed chai tea french toast or some other oddball creation, but you will find the best damn biscuits and gravy and eggs benedict on this side of the state. The portions are huge, the price is great, and the service is great. You know you're in a good place when it's packed, and packed with obvious locals. And once you start going, it won't be long until you're a regular, too.
(5)
sean l.
i guess i am in the minority here, but i don't particularly like this place. it's diner food, no doubt, but i suppose i just have a mental block against places that can serve American and Mexican and Italian and . . . etc -- Jack of all trades and master of none. That being said, my wife and kids really like Brandywine and they'll often go if I am out of town for this or that.
(3)
J and K.
I don't know if we've ever ordered anything other than breakfast when we've been here. I usually get an omelet because they are ridiculously big and delicious, as is most (if not all) of their food. The coffee is great and the servers are really good about keeping your cup full. My wife enjoys the pancakes, and the warm cinnamon knot is a welcome indulgence once in a while. I have zero complaints about brandywine and am usually there once or twice a month.
(4)
david g.
I LOVE this place. If I go more than a few weeks without popping in for some awesome breakfast, I get antsy. Service is friendly. Perfect hometown feel. Never had bad food there, no matter what I choose.
(5)
Russ A.
The Brandywine is a good place to go for a change of pace. I like the Eggs Timothy for breakfast from among the many selections. Their sandwiches are good. I often get the California Ruben. Might not be called that but it is the ruben with turkey and cole slaw. I have had their wet burrito. More big than wonderful for my tastes, but not bad. The servers are often long time employees reflective of the eclectic Eastown neighborhood. Usually quite good and friendly. Parking is on the street or wherever you can find it as they have no parking lot. The store is clean. One of the best parts about it is that my picture is on the wall! :)
(4)
Amanda L.
Long standing, super cute, family diner type restaurant in the heart of Eastown. Stopped in for brunch on Saturday, forgetting just how popular it is on the weekends. Still, the wait wasn't too bad and everyone was friendly as we waited for tables to open. The servers are efficient and prompt but I don't feel rushed or hurried. This past visit I got a Greek omelette and my husband got the rise and shine burrito. Being a big eater, I ate all my food and promptly ate the half of his massive burrito that he didn't finish. I can state confidently, both were delightful. My Greek omelet had tons of feta and olives in it so it was really savory. The rise and shine burrito was fit for a lumberjack, filled with hash browns, sausage, cheese and tomatoes and other goodies. One draw back to visiting is the parking situation. There's a lot just down the street though and walking back to the car, we stopped in at a few other Eastown shops, making it a nice visit to the area.
(4)
Gloria C.
An array of brunchy options ranging from healthy to indulgent! I breakfasted solo here and was extremely well taken care of. I walked away jacked up on seemingly endless coffee refills and stuffed full of vegetable benedict. That dish was a colorful serving of practically every vegetable under the sun, coupled with poached eggs done right, and a really zesty hollandaise generously covering the piles of squash, onions, and asparagus. So, yeah, I'd go back. It definitely seems they cater to a crowd of regulars and I wouldn't mind being one of them.
(4)
Larry S.
Thought we'd grab breakfast after the big snow storm. We've been waiting over 30 minutes now waiting for our food. I notice a hand made sign in the window Help Wanted!! Experienced Line Cook. My pancakes were overcooked & like rubber Sorry Brandywine, I'm done eating here.
(1)
Debi G.
We went to the E Beltline Restaurant - Had two dinners that were terrible. The server asked how my dinner, a "chicken" burrito was I said "terrible I can't eat it.". She asked if she could bring me a take home container, not do anything to fix it. The person I was with had fajitas where the meat and vegetables were burned. They gave him more meat but to still have to eat it with burned vegetables let a terrible taste in their mouth. We had heard this was a good place to eat. We will not recommend it to anyone.
(1)
Sara C.
I love love love this place for breakfast. It's homey & cute inside. (Parking stinks, but that's tied in with their location, which I like.) The food is really good - I've had several different kinds of pancakes, Cranberry Walnut French Toast, and Veggie Eggs Benedict & I've liked it all. Also, their Hazelnut Coffee is tasty and most importantly (I'm a caffeine addict) the servers are super attentive with keeping your cup full! lol :)
(5)
Heather H.
Really good but really crowded. We sat between two people (2 diff tables) that smelled like they haven't showered in a week or so (and partied everyday). They were pretty on top of us at the front of the restaurant. The food was good but the smell took over the taste sadly. They need a bigger space.
(3)
Rick J.
One of the best breakfast joints in Grand Rapids! Home cooked food, and amazing service...feels like home. The staff is amazing and really take care of you. Highly recommend.
(5)
Katy C.
I stopped in to Brandywine on a Saturday morning around 9. There were open tables (yay!) so I got a booth with my boyfriend. Our server came over right away with menus and water and asked for our drink order. I got the Sunrise scramble with spinach, chicken, broccoli, tomatoes, feta, and mushrooms. It was very good and the flavors went really well together! It was also a pretty big portion for a scramble. Probably twice as big as the scrambled at Sundance. My boyfriend got the country Benedict, which is a Benedict made with biscuits, sausage, and covered in sausage gravy! It was pretty good. We had our beverages refilled constantly throughout our meal and our server was friendly. Overall I really enjoyed our meal!
(4)
Linda M.
I ordered the 2-stack sweet potato pancakes for about $5.95. It was the diameter of my wrist to my elbow!!!. Surprisingly, it was worth the cost. It was loaded with pecans! Excellent choice. The reason why I am giving this 4 stars is because of the limited parking issue. So you may want to try the other location.
(4)
Mike O.
I had been wandering around the neighborhood, passing time waiting for an evening flight back home and made a point to ask people at each stop where to go eat. Everyone suggested Brandywine, so I figured I'd give it a shot, and I'm crazy glad I did. Much to my surprise, this was, far and away, the best food I had in Grand Rapids! This was pretty much the best food I've had in a LONG time! It was mind-blowing. I would honestly consider moving to Grand Rapids knowing that a place like this existed. My initial gut-feeling was that I wasn't interested in going to Brandywine. It's name and decor seemed to be like my vague and hazy memories of the 70s; lots of wood paneling and post-hippie vibe. I vaguely expected to see some guy strumming a guitar under a fern. But no! There was wood paneling, and it is called the Brandywine, but other than that, it's totally its own thing. An awesome thing! The layout is pure diner: booths and a counter. The staff were very cool. And the food....! The food was SO good. I ordered the Tim's Special - corned beef hash with a poached egg on it with hollandaise sauce. Potatoes and toast. Cup of Coffee. I remember ordering it. I remember the guy bringing it out. I remember starting it. And then...? All I can remember is vivid colors and lights and a calming voice in my brain telling me that all was good in the world and there will be peace in our time. Slowly the world faded back to reality and there I was eating the best breakfast plate known to humankind. The food was insane. I would travel to Grand Rapids just to eat it. If I didn't have a flight to catch, I would have come back for dinner. It was that good.
(5)
Daniel D.
Excellent breakfast place. It's a small diner so you may have to wait, but it is worth it. I had the smoked chicken and black bean hash. Excellent use of spice and heat with nicely cooked potato mix (white and sweet) and red peppers. I tried some of the cinnamon knot, and although I'm not a fan of cream cheese frosting it was still pretty good. Good portion size, cute decor, and nice presentation make this a great brunch spot.
(5)
Sarang K.
For me, this was one of those places that I yelped then went. Since I'm not a Grand Rapids native and only come once or twice a year, the rare moments here that I have by myself to eat at a place I want to find someplace new! Since it was around brunch time, I wanted to find a breakfasty place. I wanted eggs! Brandywine itself is not hard to find but parking is a little finicky. There are two spots right out front on the road and I was able to park there, a little uneasily as there was snow and I thought my car was jutting out into the road quite a bit, but the area that Brandywine and Domino's Pizza shares is frankly open with like 8-10 parking spaces but Brandywine customers are to park there at their own peril! Yikes! Anyways, I had two different servers that came up to me while I was dining and one was super nice and one was super too-cool-for-school but as someone who wasn't rushed for time it was alright. I ordered some kind of chicken with a blackbean hash to minimize my carb intake and it was pretty good. The cantaloupe they include is an interesting touch and I could have done without it but everything else was to perfection. 11am on a weekday, there wasn't too much traffic, but I can imagine that if it's busy it would not be my favorite place.
(4)
Maria D.
Brandywine in Easttown seems like it used to be a nice place to go, and the turn over of staff has really impacted my impression of it. I read a review where someone stated that the staff seemed like they didn't even want customers to be there, and I agree. I waited quite a while before my main server came over to take my drink order, and when she finally did... she seemed completely disinterested in what she was doing. I agree with another reviewer who said... even if you don't love your job, you are in the service industry.. fake it if you have to. I have been a server and a hostess, and I know that it can be hard to pretend you love your job, but maybe just try....? The energy given off at the restaurant made me want to get out of there as quickly as possible. The manager should speak to the servers about carrying on conversations about customers in the back of the house instead of the right in front of the customers. I have always loved their food , but feel like it may be time to stop patronizing them as the service is so terrible.
(2)
Sean M.
The Brandywine is the shit folks!.!. Local-owned, like every good diner is, the menu has everything. Don't bother opening it, just picture what you want to eat. Now, don't go crazy. Thought of something? Good. Brandywine has classic appetizers, any breakfast dish under the sun, sandwiches, wraps, burgers, gyros, paninis, salads, pasta, fajitas, comfort food, steaks, some seafood, and desserts! It's a mecca for the college student, the hungover college student, the young professional, the old professional, hell everybody. Photo's of beloved customers line the walls (I'm there), and the quaint room accommodates quiet dates and larger parties. The servers are classic no-nonsense folks who chew gum, talk horoscopes, and never mess up an order. So don't be an asshole... If you go, be sure to get some Brandy fries. And tell them I said hi.
(5)
Patra G.
The (all female) staff appeared disgruntled so maybe they were having a synchronized PMS episode during our visit because the service switch was off! SERVICE I don't understand how people choose jobs involving heavy customer contact if they are unable to elicit even a meek greeting possibly some eye contact, maybe even a "hi we'll seat you in just a min" when their customers walk in the door especially when it's not busy. Fake it we don't care, just make the service welcoming otherwise manager save yourself some money, cut your staff (or hire some dudes) and make it a self-service restaurant so we don't have to deal with the bad energy of your staff. FOOD I wanted to like this place the brunch food we had was really quite tasty (4 stars), but the ignorance and bad energy gave me stomach twitches (minus 2 stars) and I just wanted to hurry up and eat get the heck out of there! I still tipped 20% as a parting gift and although I usually give everything 2-3 chances before making a final decision, this experience left me such a bad taste that I most likely won't return especially with other better choices in town (Electric Cheetah!).
(2)
Jack K.
Still one of my favorite neighborhood restaurants in Grand Rapids. I ad the Herb Chicken omelette today with Hazelnut coffee and everything was delicious.
(5)
Kevin M.
Service was weak and the food was well below average. I order the fajita burrito for lunch and wrongly assumed the lettuce would be on the side with the rice and the beans. Unfortunately it was inside the burrito and soggy and gross. Who cooks lettuce? The breakfast food looked good and the portions were large but I will never know how it tastes because I will not be going back. Also I could NOT find a bathroom fast enough after I left.
(2)
Dawn E.
Mediocre breakfast food and service. Much prefer Wolfgangs, Marie Catribs or Electric Cheetah.
(3)
Tim B.
The food was pretty good. Now with that being said, the service was dreadful. When our server first approached the table, it dealt like she was mad that we were there. My wife ordered a chai latte that we never ended up receiving. Our food was delivered promptly by a different server who accidentally brought an extra order of toast. When our server saw this, she proceeded to yell at him, which ended up making us feel like she was yelling at us. The other server proceeded to take the toast from us and gave it to the person who originally ordered it. We finished our food and waited 10 minutes for our bill to come. When we went to pay, we were greeted by our server texting on her phone. We then had to wait for her to finish so we could pay for our food. So, it is safe to say we won't be eating there again.
(1)
Humming H.
As a traveling band, Monday brunch is our absolute favorite meal and essential for weekend recuperation. This place serves breakfast all day and the food was incredible! The vegetarian eggs Benedict with herbal hollandaise sauce was superb and the portions were enormous. The sweet potato pancakes were spiced to perfection and absolutely huge - highly recommended!
(5)
Chelsea L.
We visited this place for brunch on a Sunday around noon. We were seated in ten minutes and given menus, but due to how busy the restaurant was, no one came to take our order for the next 15 minutes. Our food came out pretty quickly (for how busy it was), and everything was DELICIOUS! I got the Veggie Benedict and substituted the hollandaise for sausage gravy, and the BF got the Smoked Chicken Black Bean Hash. We happily cleaned our plates. We were happy that two other lunch places we visited before coming to the Brandywine were far too busy. Next time we visit GR, we'll be back!
(4)
Sarah D.
Best Breakfast in town. I highly recommend "Eggs Timothy" but I am a sucker for hash and hollandaise sauce! Small restaurant so get there early.... especially on the weekend because being small they don't have a lot of room for a crowed to wait. Parking is also not idea, but honestly that is not their fault and it never hurt anyone to walk a block if that. On my way to work I often call ahead and have my breakfast made to go. They are always very accommodating with the kind of jam I like, in addition to silverware, napkins, etc. I have never been one to think of getting "breakfast to go" kinda creeped me out, considering I prefer my eggs over easy. But they make the process easy and hassle free. I have heard the other items on the menu are amazing... from foodies like myself but I have a difficult time straying away from my Eggs Timothy. And to prove my point even further I once brought my friend Katie who is the pickiest eater I know, and she thoroughly enjoyed the food which surprised me. She usually has at least one thing to complain about. But they were able to meet her picky needs without hassle.
(5)
Lindsay C.
The prices are very good here. Its not an upscale breakfast, more of your average midwest diner feeling. The decor is a hodge-podge, which I enjoy. Our server was great, very attentive, and all of our food was served hot and fresh. I had the Smoked Chicken Black Bean Hash, which sounded like a good idea in theory but was odd in practice. It contained black beans, sweet potato hash, red peppers, a few other veggies and two eggs cracked on top. I thought wow! This sounds yummy and unique, but it was actually very one-note, mushy and confusing; is this mexican? Is it breakfast? Is it lunch? Should I wrap in a tortilla or eat it on bread or something? Not a fan. My partner got a ham omelette which was standard, nothing to get excited about, but good. Coffee was hot, good, and plentiful, and there were some cinnamon things that I wish I would've tried. I'd like to go again and try some more traditional fare, as a lot of people seem really happy with this place. Maybe I just ordered the wrong thing.
(3)
Amy M.
The beehives get 5+ stars. I love them and crave them randomly. The service is always friendly here, I am quite fond of the walnut salad with chicken added but I generally get the dressing on the side because it is a bit too acidic for me to eat all that they put on it. The sweet potato pancakes are yummy, as is the herb chicken omelet. I have to admit that the burger I tried I wasn't very fond of - the bun was great, the burger itself edible but not something I would likely try again. The portions are pretty big - I generally end up wasting some or bringing some home if it will keep. Decent food overall, decent service & a great way to support local businesses!
(3)
Jennifer B.
Brunch all day every day! One of two locations of a local breakfast/brunch/lunch/dinner place. My family enjoys this place and it's great to bring the little ones who love the mickey mouse pancake with blueberry eyes. This location is filled with neighborhood people who walk on over. The service is wonderful and friendly. I eat here every time I'm back in town.
(4)
Cici F.
Hit or miss here, service is usually slow and one server in particular was horrible and rude, younger male. Hopefully he no longer works there or other guests may have a bad experience with him. Food can be good when it's hot and comes out in a timely manor. Hopefully will be better next time
(2)
Samuel C.
Good stuff. Do not do their canned corned beef hash... evar... but everything else is really tasty. My girlfriend likes the Greek God Omelette, and I like the Sunrise Scramble, the biscuits & gravy isn't Grandma's Homemade, but my brother likes it. They have quality specials, too. This restaurant should dominate over Wolfgangs as the best brekky joint in East Town Grand Rapids.
(4)
Amy B.
We visited Brandywine on a Monday morning, so I can't comment on the difference between a slower weekday and the apparent chaos that ensues on a busy Saturday or Sunday. I agree that parking sucks any day of the week, but I expect that in eastown. Decor - I liked it! It's older and small; there are booths, a few tables and a few stools at a counter. There are old black and white photos on the wall and it appears outdated, but clean. The bathroom was old and could use a new coat of paint, but it was clean and the hand soap reminded me of when I was little and would visit my grandmother. Food - we came for breakfast because the restaurant we were originally going to for breakfast is closed on Mondays. I had veggie Benedict. It was a huge serving of food! I got the hash browns and they were nice and crispy - just the way I like them. I also requested whatever bread was homemade. The waitress said they had some they get from Vans (yum!). Due to my allergies, this is a definite bonus, because I have no problem with bakery items from Vans. The veggies were giant and the hollandaise was really tasty. I do recommend the benedict, but be prepared for a lot of food! We both got coffee. It was fine - nothing to write home about and maybe a little pricey or jut plain coffee? My husband got the cinnamon swirl french toast. He said it was good. He said he's had better elsewhere. He actually, surprisingly, really likes the french toast at Rainbow Grill in Grandville. He got a side of bacon and he said it was good - nice and crispy. He also got potatoes - American fries? I thought the hash browns were better, but he enjoyed his potatoes. Overall, I think Brandywine is a great place for breakfast. The service was good and I have no complaints. I'm always a little surprised by a $25 bill for a breakfast of eggs and french toast and coffee, though. I'd say this was on par with Wolfgangs and probably better than the gathering house. Not quite as memorable as Real Food , but that place is packed and the portions are insanely large.
(4)
Jay S.
Weekend breakfast is Brandywine's strength. We have eaten there for lunch and dinner but think we will stick to breakfast.
(3)
Jaime S.
I decided to visit Brandywine on a recommendation. It is a very casual resturaunt, no frills and nothing special. Coffee was good (had the hazelnut) and so was the food (potato scramble). They were pretty big on the portions so either come hungry or know that you are leaving with a doggie bag. Overall it was good. No complaints at all
(3)
Samantha S.
I loved their sweet potato pancakes. The staff wasn't too friendly but they were busy.
(4)
Z D.
Solid food and service. Burrito was good but too wet on the inside. leave the salsa out. Work on the salsa altogether it's just not there. Pancakes were amazing, like desert for breakfast. Wish the pecans were bigger.
(3)
Angie M.
I miss this place and my wonderful weekend cure-all breakfasts here. This little charmer has a great vibe- like Grandma's kitchen. The dishes don't all match, but your food is warm and delicious (and so is the coffee). The staffers were very nice and the service was good. On a weekend morning, be prepared to wait :)
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Breakfast Parking : Street, Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Paul N.
Meh.
(2)Matthew J.
Every time we are in Grand Rapids, MI we always make sure to go breakfast here b/c of great food and service.
(5)Timothy M.
Brandywine never ever lets me down! Anything you get will fill you up and is hands down some of the best food in Grand Rapids for the price. My personal faves: the burrito, the Eggs Timothy, or any skillet. The burgers and sandwiches are good too. This location is a close walk from anywhere in Eastown and they just put a new location on the East Beltline. If you eat there, I guarantee the service to be excellent since a bunch of my friends work there. It's great so check it out.
(4)Steven H.
By far my favorite place to eat in Grand Rapids. Amazing for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Everything on the menu is delicious and the meals are inexpensive. Also, if you're a college student you get 10% off your meal with your student ID. The only negative I have is that they charge per bag for tea, but the amazing food totally makes up for that.
(5)christine r.
whenever i visit GRR, brandywine is a must-stop. it is an absolutely perfect little breakfast place. you can't go wrong with the skillets, and the pecan waffle is great. unless you are the hulk, you will most likely go home with leftovers :)
(5)Robert L.
Damn me and my four stars! Here's another one. But I totally loved this place. I ate here about 2 years ago, but the memory of a certain breakfast burrito is still etched in my temporal lobe. I went to Grand Rapids to visit a dear friend of mine for the weekend. She took me to Brandywine because she said they have a great menu. She was not wrong. I couldn't decide what to get, but since NYC usually fails at creating a satisfactory breakfast burrito, if at all, I went with that. The melted cheddar cheese on the top of this swelling rhinoceros leg of a burrito was like a blanket of deliciousness. I honestly cannot remember exactly what was in this dish, but I'm sure there was no meat. Just vegetables and eggs and cheese, but I have to tell you it was magnificent. I also ordered a side of potatoes which was very good. I was seated at this table with my friend, her husband and two very young kids who made a mess, but hey! They're kids! So the place is very suitable for parties with small children. Someone said this place was basically diner food and nothing special, but I wonder if he had the breakfast burrito. I really loved that damn burrito!!! (Not sure about the other dishes, though.) I really want to return to this place someday. Not just to visit my amazing friend and her awesome family, but to also attack that breakfast burrito again. Enjoy.
(4)Valerie R.
Friendly service and good food- plus this place has deals on Resturant.com . I was a big fan of the sweet potato tots but my omlette was pretty lack luster and didn't come with any potatoes. Good prices though- check this place out!
(3)Alicia G.
Brandy Benedict. Beehive potatoes. These are the top two reasons why Branywine is my favorite place to eat breakfast. I've been loving Brandywine since I moved to Michigan 13 years ago. Give them a try, and make sure you order a side of those potatoes!
(5)Alex G.
I decided to visit Brandywine based on reviews read here. I was expecting to be able to enjoy a great breakfast. However, my experience was far from what I had expected. The moment I stepped into Brandywine, I set my hopes high. I sat down at an un-bussed booth, and decided I'd rather move to a table, which was also not bussed. I wouldn't have had a problem with it, if it weren't for the fact that our soon to be waiter was just standing around doing absolutely nothing. It took a couple of minutes before he even came by and cleaned our table for us and brought us menus. After bringing us out our coffee and water, he quickly became extremely impersonal; the table next to me went as far as to call him a genuine asshole. My meal was alright. The spices used were overdone that I wasn't able to differentiate between the sweet potato and regular potato in my meal. When our waiter brought the us the check, he didn't even give us the least bit of a smile. From start to finish, my experience was not what I had hoped for. The food was good, but not good enough that I would ever suggest going there again. If you're in Grand Rapids and want to enjoy a good breakfast place, you'd be better off going to Wolfgang's down the street.
(2)Fritz G.
After hearing so many great things about this place for so long I finally had an opportunity to stop in. The day after Thanksgiving, around 8:30 am or so. with mom out shopping the kids and I headed out. Wasn't very busy at all to start, but a lot of people showed up while we were there. We had a round table right in the window that worked well for the four of us. The decor was different than I expected - the look and feel is much more diner than I though it would be. The menu was less diverse than I expected, but thats not a bad thing because everything we had was very good. The menu is a 6 panel, one of which is the cover. Breakfast is two panels and lunch dinner items make up the rest. There is no kids menu - at least not that I saw or was given - but there are daily $1.99 specials that worked well for small appetites. Breakfast items are the typical things, and a few specialty variations. I had the Eggs Timothy which were very good and my daughter had Cinnamon Swirl French Toast which looked more like a dessert than a breakfast so she loved it. Our service was excellent. Attentive, coffee was promptly refilled, kids food brought out first - everything the way it should be. Definite recommend, I'll be back.
(4)Simon P.
Oh Brandywine, how I love you so. Some of the best traditional and semi-traditional breakfast I've ever had. No, you won't find ricotta-stuffed chai tea french toast or some other oddball creation, but you will find the best damn biscuits and gravy and eggs benedict on this side of the state. The portions are huge, the price is great, and the service is great. You know you're in a good place when it's packed, and packed with obvious locals. And once you start going, it won't be long until you're a regular, too.
(5)sean l.
i guess i am in the minority here, but i don't particularly like this place. it's diner food, no doubt, but i suppose i just have a mental block against places that can serve American and Mexican and Italian and . . . etc -- Jack of all trades and master of none. That being said, my wife and kids really like Brandywine and they'll often go if I am out of town for this or that.
(3)J and K.
I don't know if we've ever ordered anything other than breakfast when we've been here. I usually get an omelet because they are ridiculously big and delicious, as is most (if not all) of their food. The coffee is great and the servers are really good about keeping your cup full. My wife enjoys the pancakes, and the warm cinnamon knot is a welcome indulgence once in a while. I have zero complaints about brandywine and am usually there once or twice a month.
(4)david g.
I LOVE this place. If I go more than a few weeks without popping in for some awesome breakfast, I get antsy. Service is friendly. Perfect hometown feel. Never had bad food there, no matter what I choose.
(5)Russ A.
The Brandywine is a good place to go for a change of pace. I like the Eggs Timothy for breakfast from among the many selections. Their sandwiches are good. I often get the California Ruben. Might not be called that but it is the ruben with turkey and cole slaw. I have had their wet burrito. More big than wonderful for my tastes, but not bad. The servers are often long time employees reflective of the eclectic Eastown neighborhood. Usually quite good and friendly. Parking is on the street or wherever you can find it as they have no parking lot. The store is clean. One of the best parts about it is that my picture is on the wall! :)
(4)Amanda L.
Long standing, super cute, family diner type restaurant in the heart of Eastown. Stopped in for brunch on Saturday, forgetting just how popular it is on the weekends. Still, the wait wasn't too bad and everyone was friendly as we waited for tables to open. The servers are efficient and prompt but I don't feel rushed or hurried. This past visit I got a Greek omelette and my husband got the rise and shine burrito. Being a big eater, I ate all my food and promptly ate the half of his massive burrito that he didn't finish. I can state confidently, both were delightful. My Greek omelet had tons of feta and olives in it so it was really savory. The rise and shine burrito was fit for a lumberjack, filled with hash browns, sausage, cheese and tomatoes and other goodies. One draw back to visiting is the parking situation. There's a lot just down the street though and walking back to the car, we stopped in at a few other Eastown shops, making it a nice visit to the area.
(4)Gloria C.
An array of brunchy options ranging from healthy to indulgent! I breakfasted solo here and was extremely well taken care of. I walked away jacked up on seemingly endless coffee refills and stuffed full of vegetable benedict. That dish was a colorful serving of practically every vegetable under the sun, coupled with poached eggs done right, and a really zesty hollandaise generously covering the piles of squash, onions, and asparagus. So, yeah, I'd go back. It definitely seems they cater to a crowd of regulars and I wouldn't mind being one of them.
(4)Larry S.
Thought we'd grab breakfast after the big snow storm. We've been waiting over 30 minutes now waiting for our food. I notice a hand made sign in the window Help Wanted!! Experienced Line Cook. My pancakes were overcooked & like rubber Sorry Brandywine, I'm done eating here.
(1)Debi G.
We went to the E Beltline Restaurant - Had two dinners that were terrible. The server asked how my dinner, a "chicken" burrito was I said "terrible I can't eat it.". She asked if she could bring me a take home container, not do anything to fix it. The person I was with had fajitas where the meat and vegetables were burned. They gave him more meat but to still have to eat it with burned vegetables let a terrible taste in their mouth. We had heard this was a good place to eat. We will not recommend it to anyone.
(1)Sara C.
I love love love this place for breakfast. It's homey & cute inside. (Parking stinks, but that's tied in with their location, which I like.) The food is really good - I've had several different kinds of pancakes, Cranberry Walnut French Toast, and Veggie Eggs Benedict & I've liked it all. Also, their Hazelnut Coffee is tasty and most importantly (I'm a caffeine addict) the servers are super attentive with keeping your cup full! lol :)
(5)Heather H.
Really good but really crowded. We sat between two people (2 diff tables) that smelled like they haven't showered in a week or so (and partied everyday). They were pretty on top of us at the front of the restaurant. The food was good but the smell took over the taste sadly. They need a bigger space.
(3)Rick J.
One of the best breakfast joints in Grand Rapids! Home cooked food, and amazing service...feels like home. The staff is amazing and really take care of you. Highly recommend.
(5)Katy C.
I stopped in to Brandywine on a Saturday morning around 9. There were open tables (yay!) so I got a booth with my boyfriend. Our server came over right away with menus and water and asked for our drink order. I got the Sunrise scramble with spinach, chicken, broccoli, tomatoes, feta, and mushrooms. It was very good and the flavors went really well together! It was also a pretty big portion for a scramble. Probably twice as big as the scrambled at Sundance. My boyfriend got the country Benedict, which is a Benedict made with biscuits, sausage, and covered in sausage gravy! It was pretty good. We had our beverages refilled constantly throughout our meal and our server was friendly. Overall I really enjoyed our meal!
(4)Linda M.
I ordered the 2-stack sweet potato pancakes for about $5.95. It was the diameter of my wrist to my elbow!!!. Surprisingly, it was worth the cost. It was loaded with pecans! Excellent choice. The reason why I am giving this 4 stars is because of the limited parking issue. So you may want to try the other location.
(4)Mike O.
I had been wandering around the neighborhood, passing time waiting for an evening flight back home and made a point to ask people at each stop where to go eat. Everyone suggested Brandywine, so I figured I'd give it a shot, and I'm crazy glad I did. Much to my surprise, this was, far and away, the best food I had in Grand Rapids! This was pretty much the best food I've had in a LONG time! It was mind-blowing. I would honestly consider moving to Grand Rapids knowing that a place like this existed. My initial gut-feeling was that I wasn't interested in going to Brandywine. It's name and decor seemed to be like my vague and hazy memories of the 70s; lots of wood paneling and post-hippie vibe. I vaguely expected to see some guy strumming a guitar under a fern. But no! There was wood paneling, and it is called the Brandywine, but other than that, it's totally its own thing. An awesome thing! The layout is pure diner: booths and a counter. The staff were very cool. And the food....! The food was SO good. I ordered the Tim's Special - corned beef hash with a poached egg on it with hollandaise sauce. Potatoes and toast. Cup of Coffee. I remember ordering it. I remember the guy bringing it out. I remember starting it. And then...? All I can remember is vivid colors and lights and a calming voice in my brain telling me that all was good in the world and there will be peace in our time. Slowly the world faded back to reality and there I was eating the best breakfast plate known to humankind. The food was insane. I would travel to Grand Rapids just to eat it. If I didn't have a flight to catch, I would have come back for dinner. It was that good.
(5)Daniel D.
Excellent breakfast place. It's a small diner so you may have to wait, but it is worth it. I had the smoked chicken and black bean hash. Excellent use of spice and heat with nicely cooked potato mix (white and sweet) and red peppers. I tried some of the cinnamon knot, and although I'm not a fan of cream cheese frosting it was still pretty good. Good portion size, cute decor, and nice presentation make this a great brunch spot.
(5)Sarang K.
For me, this was one of those places that I yelped then went. Since I'm not a Grand Rapids native and only come once or twice a year, the rare moments here that I have by myself to eat at a place I want to find someplace new! Since it was around brunch time, I wanted to find a breakfasty place. I wanted eggs! Brandywine itself is not hard to find but parking is a little finicky. There are two spots right out front on the road and I was able to park there, a little uneasily as there was snow and I thought my car was jutting out into the road quite a bit, but the area that Brandywine and Domino's Pizza shares is frankly open with like 8-10 parking spaces but Brandywine customers are to park there at their own peril! Yikes! Anyways, I had two different servers that came up to me while I was dining and one was super nice and one was super too-cool-for-school but as someone who wasn't rushed for time it was alright. I ordered some kind of chicken with a blackbean hash to minimize my carb intake and it was pretty good. The cantaloupe they include is an interesting touch and I could have done without it but everything else was to perfection. 11am on a weekday, there wasn't too much traffic, but I can imagine that if it's busy it would not be my favorite place.
(4)Maria D.
Brandywine in Easttown seems like it used to be a nice place to go, and the turn over of staff has really impacted my impression of it. I read a review where someone stated that the staff seemed like they didn't even want customers to be there, and I agree. I waited quite a while before my main server came over to take my drink order, and when she finally did... she seemed completely disinterested in what she was doing. I agree with another reviewer who said... even if you don't love your job, you are in the service industry.. fake it if you have to. I have been a server and a hostess, and I know that it can be hard to pretend you love your job, but maybe just try....? The energy given off at the restaurant made me want to get out of there as quickly as possible. The manager should speak to the servers about carrying on conversations about customers in the back of the house instead of the right in front of the customers. I have always loved their food , but feel like it may be time to stop patronizing them as the service is so terrible.
(2)Sean M.
The Brandywine is the shit folks!.!. Local-owned, like every good diner is, the menu has everything. Don't bother opening it, just picture what you want to eat. Now, don't go crazy. Thought of something? Good. Brandywine has classic appetizers, any breakfast dish under the sun, sandwiches, wraps, burgers, gyros, paninis, salads, pasta, fajitas, comfort food, steaks, some seafood, and desserts! It's a mecca for the college student, the hungover college student, the young professional, the old professional, hell everybody. Photo's of beloved customers line the walls (I'm there), and the quaint room accommodates quiet dates and larger parties. The servers are classic no-nonsense folks who chew gum, talk horoscopes, and never mess up an order. So don't be an asshole... If you go, be sure to get some Brandy fries. And tell them I said hi.
(5)Patra G.
The (all female) staff appeared disgruntled so maybe they were having a synchronized PMS episode during our visit because the service switch was off! SERVICE I don't understand how people choose jobs involving heavy customer contact if they are unable to elicit even a meek greeting possibly some eye contact, maybe even a "hi we'll seat you in just a min" when their customers walk in the door especially when it's not busy. Fake it we don't care, just make the service welcoming otherwise manager save yourself some money, cut your staff (or hire some dudes) and make it a self-service restaurant so we don't have to deal with the bad energy of your staff. FOOD I wanted to like this place the brunch food we had was really quite tasty (4 stars), but the ignorance and bad energy gave me stomach twitches (minus 2 stars) and I just wanted to hurry up and eat get the heck out of there! I still tipped 20% as a parting gift and although I usually give everything 2-3 chances before making a final decision, this experience left me such a bad taste that I most likely won't return especially with other better choices in town (Electric Cheetah!).
(2)Jack K.
Still one of my favorite neighborhood restaurants in Grand Rapids. I ad the Herb Chicken omelette today with Hazelnut coffee and everything was delicious.
(5)Kevin M.
Service was weak and the food was well below average. I order the fajita burrito for lunch and wrongly assumed the lettuce would be on the side with the rice and the beans. Unfortunately it was inside the burrito and soggy and gross. Who cooks lettuce? The breakfast food looked good and the portions were large but I will never know how it tastes because I will not be going back. Also I could NOT find a bathroom fast enough after I left.
(2)Dawn E.
Mediocre breakfast food and service. Much prefer Wolfgangs, Marie Catribs or Electric Cheetah.
(3)Tim B.
The food was pretty good. Now with that being said, the service was dreadful. When our server first approached the table, it dealt like she was mad that we were there. My wife ordered a chai latte that we never ended up receiving. Our food was delivered promptly by a different server who accidentally brought an extra order of toast. When our server saw this, she proceeded to yell at him, which ended up making us feel like she was yelling at us. The other server proceeded to take the toast from us and gave it to the person who originally ordered it. We finished our food and waited 10 minutes for our bill to come. When we went to pay, we were greeted by our server texting on her phone. We then had to wait for her to finish so we could pay for our food. So, it is safe to say we won't be eating there again.
(1)Humming H.
As a traveling band, Monday brunch is our absolute favorite meal and essential for weekend recuperation. This place serves breakfast all day and the food was incredible! The vegetarian eggs Benedict with herbal hollandaise sauce was superb and the portions were enormous. The sweet potato pancakes were spiced to perfection and absolutely huge - highly recommended!
(5)Chelsea L.
We visited this place for brunch on a Sunday around noon. We were seated in ten minutes and given menus, but due to how busy the restaurant was, no one came to take our order for the next 15 minutes. Our food came out pretty quickly (for how busy it was), and everything was DELICIOUS! I got the Veggie Benedict and substituted the hollandaise for sausage gravy, and the BF got the Smoked Chicken Black Bean Hash. We happily cleaned our plates. We were happy that two other lunch places we visited before coming to the Brandywine were far too busy. Next time we visit GR, we'll be back!
(4)Sarah D.
Best Breakfast in town. I highly recommend "Eggs Timothy" but I am a sucker for hash and hollandaise sauce! Small restaurant so get there early.... especially on the weekend because being small they don't have a lot of room for a crowed to wait. Parking is also not idea, but honestly that is not their fault and it never hurt anyone to walk a block if that. On my way to work I often call ahead and have my breakfast made to go. They are always very accommodating with the kind of jam I like, in addition to silverware, napkins, etc. I have never been one to think of getting "breakfast to go" kinda creeped me out, considering I prefer my eggs over easy. But they make the process easy and hassle free. I have heard the other items on the menu are amazing... from foodies like myself but I have a difficult time straying away from my Eggs Timothy. And to prove my point even further I once brought my friend Katie who is the pickiest eater I know, and she thoroughly enjoyed the food which surprised me. She usually has at least one thing to complain about. But they were able to meet her picky needs without hassle.
(5)Lindsay C.
The prices are very good here. Its not an upscale breakfast, more of your average midwest diner feeling. The decor is a hodge-podge, which I enjoy. Our server was great, very attentive, and all of our food was served hot and fresh. I had the Smoked Chicken Black Bean Hash, which sounded like a good idea in theory but was odd in practice. It contained black beans, sweet potato hash, red peppers, a few other veggies and two eggs cracked on top. I thought wow! This sounds yummy and unique, but it was actually very one-note, mushy and confusing; is this mexican? Is it breakfast? Is it lunch? Should I wrap in a tortilla or eat it on bread or something? Not a fan. My partner got a ham omelette which was standard, nothing to get excited about, but good. Coffee was hot, good, and plentiful, and there were some cinnamon things that I wish I would've tried. I'd like to go again and try some more traditional fare, as a lot of people seem really happy with this place. Maybe I just ordered the wrong thing.
(3)Amy M.
The beehives get 5+ stars. I love them and crave them randomly. The service is always friendly here, I am quite fond of the walnut salad with chicken added but I generally get the dressing on the side because it is a bit too acidic for me to eat all that they put on it. The sweet potato pancakes are yummy, as is the herb chicken omelet. I have to admit that the burger I tried I wasn't very fond of - the bun was great, the burger itself edible but not something I would likely try again. The portions are pretty big - I generally end up wasting some or bringing some home if it will keep. Decent food overall, decent service & a great way to support local businesses!
(3)Jennifer B.
Brunch all day every day! One of two locations of a local breakfast/brunch/lunch/dinner place. My family enjoys this place and it's great to bring the little ones who love the mickey mouse pancake with blueberry eyes. This location is filled with neighborhood people who walk on over. The service is wonderful and friendly. I eat here every time I'm back in town.
(4)Cici F.
Hit or miss here, service is usually slow and one server in particular was horrible and rude, younger male. Hopefully he no longer works there or other guests may have a bad experience with him. Food can be good when it's hot and comes out in a timely manor. Hopefully will be better next time
(2)Samuel C.
Good stuff. Do not do their canned corned beef hash... evar... but everything else is really tasty. My girlfriend likes the Greek God Omelette, and I like the Sunrise Scramble, the biscuits & gravy isn't Grandma's Homemade, but my brother likes it. They have quality specials, too. This restaurant should dominate over Wolfgangs as the best brekky joint in East Town Grand Rapids.
(4)Amy B.
We visited Brandywine on a Monday morning, so I can't comment on the difference between a slower weekday and the apparent chaos that ensues on a busy Saturday or Sunday. I agree that parking sucks any day of the week, but I expect that in eastown. Decor - I liked it! It's older and small; there are booths, a few tables and a few stools at a counter. There are old black and white photos on the wall and it appears outdated, but clean. The bathroom was old and could use a new coat of paint, but it was clean and the hand soap reminded me of when I was little and would visit my grandmother. Food - we came for breakfast because the restaurant we were originally going to for breakfast is closed on Mondays. I had veggie Benedict. It was a huge serving of food! I got the hash browns and they were nice and crispy - just the way I like them. I also requested whatever bread was homemade. The waitress said they had some they get from Vans (yum!). Due to my allergies, this is a definite bonus, because I have no problem with bakery items from Vans. The veggies were giant and the hollandaise was really tasty. I do recommend the benedict, but be prepared for a lot of food! We both got coffee. It was fine - nothing to write home about and maybe a little pricey or jut plain coffee? My husband got the cinnamon swirl french toast. He said it was good. He said he's had better elsewhere. He actually, surprisingly, really likes the french toast at Rainbow Grill in Grandville. He got a side of bacon and he said it was good - nice and crispy. He also got potatoes - American fries? I thought the hash browns were better, but he enjoyed his potatoes. Overall, I think Brandywine is a great place for breakfast. The service was good and I have no complaints. I'm always a little surprised by a $25 bill for a breakfast of eggs and french toast and coffee, though. I'd say this was on par with Wolfgangs and probably better than the gathering house. Not quite as memorable as Real Food , but that place is packed and the portions are insanely large.
(4)Jay S.
Weekend breakfast is Brandywine's strength. We have eaten there for lunch and dinner but think we will stick to breakfast.
(3)Jaime S.
I decided to visit Brandywine on a recommendation. It is a very casual resturaunt, no frills and nothing special. Coffee was good (had the hazelnut) and so was the food (potato scramble). They were pretty big on the portions so either come hungry or know that you are leaving with a doggie bag. Overall it was good. No complaints at all
(3)Samantha S.
I loved their sweet potato pancakes. The staff wasn't too friendly but they were busy.
(4)Z D.
Solid food and service. Burrito was good but too wet on the inside. leave the salsa out. Work on the salsa altogether it's just not there. Pancakes were amazing, like desert for breakfast. Wish the pecans were bigger.
(3)Angie M.
I miss this place and my wonderful weekend cure-all breakfasts here. This little charmer has a great vibe- like Grandma's kitchen. The dishes don't all match, but your food is warm and delicious (and so is the coffee). The staffers were very nice and the service was good. On a weekend morning, be prepared to wait :)
(4)