Standard greasy spoon fare, and pretty good with low to reasonable prices. The burgers and onion rings are very good. I haven't tried much else there. I tried the chili, and it was not very good. Not a bean in sight, large chunks of just tomato in a flavorless broth. I'd stick to the burgers..... My wife refuses to go back, and only my son and I will go (kind of "our" place). The restrooms are absolutely disgusting and tiny. My wife won't go back because she happened to look into the kitchen about a year ago. I'll leave it at that. It's good, but nothing special.
(3)
Lisa B.
The Kitchen Sink w/ sausage gravy is the best. The Fat Boy burger is one of my favorites for dinner!
(5)
Deelilah J.
I've only tried the burger but it's good, just the right component of soft bun and fresh beef and toppings. Subjectively, this is one of the best places I've tried. Really yummy, I look forward to going back and trying the hot dogs. They serve breakfast as well. Hours are limited so check before you go assuming they're going to be open.
(5)
Phil G.
I love burgers, so it's strange that I haven't been to this place before now. I went yesterday for lunch. As most note, the service is not great. When I entered the place, I was not greeted nor was I even acknowledged. I went up to the counter to order and had to wait a while for the server/cashier to acknowledge me, although it was clear she saw me come in. I ordered the "Super Fat Boy", because I was ravenous and it promised a pound of meat. I also got a side of the crinkle-cut fries. It was clear the order was freshly made and since the place only had about 6 other customers, it came out steaming and tom my table fairly quickly. Normally, I would knock more stars off for dismissive service. Is it that difficult to at least acknowledge your customers? To say something like "Welcome to Fat Boy, just order when you're ready" or some such. The way I look at it, if you don't want my business, then I don't want to give it to you - but - the burger was very good and redeemed the place. The chopped green olive and mayo spread on top was really tasty, and the fries were done just right. Not sure I would dine in again, but I would certainly get take out from this place. Even if they can't do anything other than burgers, they do make a hell of a burger.
(3)
Tom V.
Based on the positive reviews we ate here for the first time yesterday. The hamberger was very good and cooked to the way we ordered it. The patty was handmade. The bun was a little disappointing, very plan. It would be nice if they had homemade and/or seeded buns. The fries were very good. I wish they had different size burgers. Though you can order double patties it would be nice if they had different sizes such as 1/4, 1/3 and 1/2 pound patties. The food was served quickly and the staff was okay though they weren't very friendly. We love small talk with our server. The place was clean. It was also quiet in fact too quite. We like sounds of a true hamburger joint.. We would rate this at 3.5 stars if we could but we went with 4 stars and gave them the benefit of the doubt since it was our first time.
(4)
Moon J.
Fat Boy restaurant, no relation to Big Boy, has been around for several decades. The atmosphere is somewhat like a truck stop, but I'm sure that back in the day Richie and the Fonz would have hung out there after class at Creston. A total dive, the restaurant does have a couple good things going for it: 1) the Fat Boy burgers are awesome, and 2) there's a little bit of history when you walk in, order you food and eat in one of the booths. There's just something about decent/historic atmosphere and a great burger and Fat Boy's is a place where you can get both. Parking is sometimes a challenge, however a majority of the time it shouldn't be a problem. Check it out if you've always wondered about the restaurant, you'll be pleasantly surprised.
(3)
Jim J.
Great hamburgers, love the crinkle cut fries. Service is a little slow
(4)
Sherry K.
Three of us went there for an early dinner on Wednesday. We have never been there and decided to go because of the groupon offer. We were pleasantly surprised on the quality of the food. The food were all freshly prepared and came out piping hot. The burgers and fries were nicely prepared, not greasy. I really liked by chicken sandwich which is made in a flat bread with grilled chicken, bacon, lettuce and tomatoes. They also have ice cream and malts for dessert. The combo was a nice deal. The place is clean. It is a dive for sure. The menu is on a chalkboard and you walk straight up to the counter to place order. They only take cash but there is an ATM right inside the restaurant. They also service wide range of breakfast with limited selection after 11AM. We will come back for sure!
(5)
Adam G.
I was excited when I heard they were open again. Its not often you can find a good burger. It had been a while and maybe the nostalgia for the place made me remember it better than it was. We walked in and the place looked nice. New paint, fun posters and just neat over all. There was a line and we were 4 or 5 people deep to place our order. It took a while to order, but it seemed ok. I wanted some onion rings, but they were out? So were were waiting a while and slooooowlllly watching the orders get filled. They would call off your name and you'd go get your food. So it had been a while, long enough to need a refill on my drink. So went up to get one and I notice that the cook appears to be cooking one order at a time. There was a giant grill and there were 3 or 4 burgers on it and one basket of fries in the fryer. If he would have loaded it up he could have taken care of his tickets much faster. I'm not kidding it was 5 minutes between the orders he was putting up. So when we finally get the food the burgers were small and the buns were......just like the plain generic buns you would get at the grocery store that come 8 to a pack. It was nothing special at all.
(2)
Jen I.
Excellent, Fast, Friendly, Diner-esk experience! I ordered the Chi Chi and it was overfilled and delicious! The staff is also very friendly! I highly recommend!
(5)
Orson B.
Maybe I should have tried the burger if that's what they are known for. I had the hash breakfast plus an order of chili cheese fries. The breakfast was decent, but not remotely close to what Anna's serves a few miles up Plainfield. Also, my usual gripe about chili being too sweet once again came true with the chili cheese fries. I swear, Wendy's has better chili than most restaurants in Grand Rapids. It's like they poured a giant bag of sugar in the chili. Why would anyone older than 10 years old want sugary chili? Maybe I'll try it again to sample the burger.
(3)
Roel S.
Food was delicious the service was poor. I'd come back but my wife probably will not.
(3)
Adria C.
This is one of my new favorite restaurants! I plan on going back quite often Food: Amazing burger; the taste was phenomenal. Service: Very friendly! Price: Very reasonable for what you receive.
(5)
Russ A.
Last time I stopped in I was hungry for hot dogs so I ordered a couple. To my surprise, they were deep fried! Ugh! I have read the reviews about how good the burgers are so I will give it a second chance. Place has been here for years.
(3)
Taylor C.
Stars for the awesome food. However, the owner took my togo order today, in which he messed up and put the wrong stuff in the computer, when I got there he was talking to some buds at the mini bar, instead of welcoming me he just yelled in the back "hey there's a guy here" so a nice girl came out, he was very barky at her and rude, she was just confused by his lack of correctness on my order, which wasn't important in comparison to his conversation about getting a flat tire on the highway earlier in the week, he acted annoyed he had to help her understand his wrongdoing. I feel bad for the chick who was amazing at her job and cared. Tip her good!
(4)
Mike L.
Changes in prices so ask why before getting upset. I have requested that the owner post information so customers are informed. Will do my best to support small business in Grand Rapids.
(3)
Kristine R.
Customers beware! The owner likes to talk crap about his customers to other costumers. Very unprofessional! They may have great food but I will never step foot in there again! He doesn't deserve my money!
(1)
David H.
I always look for neighborhood restaurants and this truly is one. I had breakfast which was good and I watched a group of regulars meet for coffee
(4)
Angela B.
Great little local place!! My husband and I recently moved into the neighborhood and everyone was telling us that we needed to stop by. It isn't huge, but apparently came under new ownership around 2010 and they did a complete remodel. It was very clean and you could tell that it had been recently painted. We both ordered burgers and they were very good. We liked their buns and could tell that the toppings were fresh. I also really liked their fries. I think my burger/fry/drink combo was around $6-$7. The table next to us ordered onion rings and they smelled and looked amazing! We will get them next time. They also do to-go orders. Check their hours before you go because they aren't open a few evenings a week. NEGATIVE: My husband said the men's restroom was disgusting. I didn't go check the women's so I can't comment on that.
(5)
Kristen M.
I'm from Atlanta, visiting my bf's family in GRap -- every local I met agreed Fat Boy was a GRap staple that couldn't be missed. I haven't had a burger in years, but it was well worth the wait for my Fat Boy burger w/ a side of rings. I think I'll eat burgers exclusively from Fat Boy from now on :)
(5)
Amy M.
I was driving by, it was dinner time so I decided to stop in and try a burger to go. This place is somewhat of a landmark in the area. It has been there for what feels like forever! I just got a burger & fries to go - prices were good, service was fast & the food was yummy. I will definitely be back!
(4)
Shaun H.
I have heard a lot about Fat Boy and have always wanted to try it. The first time I attempted to go there was a Saturday after work around 5 PM, sadly Fat Boy closes at 3 PM Saturday through Monday (why does a Burger place close at 3 PM on a weekend?.) So I ended up driving down the street to the Burger King down the road, and received one of the best Whoppers I have ever had. Today for lunch I stopped by Fat Boy. It was a small little place, but had a pretty nice atmosphere. Just a relaxing place where people go to enjoy food. I looked at the menu, and a lot of their food looked tasty. I saw that there was a special on the Bleu Burger Combo for $1.00 off, so I decided to get that. The combo came out to be over $9.00 even after the discount, which wouldn't have been so bad if they had accepted credit or debit cards, but disappointingly they do not. They do conveniently have an ATM located in the restaurant, but like most ATM's you need to pay a service fee of $2 to access your own money. Now I hate when businesses do not want to pay the meager fee they would have to to accept cards, but provide an ATM so you can get cash, therefore making you pay an extra $2 to be able to do business there. So the way I see it, my combo actually ended up costing me another $2. The burger and the fries were really tasty, but they were not $11 tasty. They weren't even really $9 tasty. I will probably go back to Fat Boy, but only if I have cash, and then not very often since they are a bit pricey for a burger joint.
(3)
Scott H.
After tracking this place down a few years ago shortly after their reopening, this has become the traditional rendezvous point for our group arriving from Chicago for the annual Winter Beer Festival at Fifth Third Field. First off, who can't stop after seeing the amazingly vintage Fat Boy sign outside? The interior is your typical diner/coffee shop layout with booths and tables. Walk straight up to the counter to order, then a server will hand you your drinks and deliver your food to the table. A solid single burger, if not a tad undersized for the bun. With the small size of the patties, a double wouldn't be overkill for the average lunch appetite. Simple ingredients and seasoning like most old-style burger joints and it just seems to work. Chose the onion rings on my most recent visit and they quickly became the star of the show. These sizable rings used something very similar to funnel cake batter and it really worked with the large sweet rings. Decadent and good to the last crumb. The old-school neighborhood burger joint vibe is what enamors me to this place, but the food is solid too so we'll definitely keep coming back during our annual winter visit to GR.
(3)
Bryan L.
Best burger in Grand Rapids! New management in the last couple of years so any prior complaints or reviews about cleanliness should be ignored. The burger is fresh ground, cooked to order and they have recently added hand cut fries to the menu (crinkle cut are available also if you prefer). You won't find a better burger basket (especially for the money) anywhere in GR.
(5)
Corry M.
YUM. I am now fat
(5)
Rob T.
The best for that burger fix!
(5)
Dawn B.
Update: Apparently management has changed since I was last there so take my review with a grain of salt... Fat Boy is a Southwest Michigan institution. It's been there forever and I'm pretty sure that the majority of the staff has been around since the beginning. It's your standard burger joint with better than average fries and decent shakes. I was in there recently after a two year hiatus and was surprised to see that they had remodeled the inside. Unfortunately however, the air purifier seems to be working overtime to clear the smoke, and the whole place smells like an ashtray. That said, you might want to make your order to go.
(4)
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Address :2450 Plainfield Ave NE
Grand Rapids, MI, 49505
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : No Good For : Breakfast, Brunch, Lunch Parking : Street, Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Quiet Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : No Drive-Thru : No Caters : No
Burger or Hamburger is savored as the most desired fast food meal in the United States. A hamburger is basically a sandwich prepared by stuffing ground meat patty, generally beef, between two slices of a bun cut in half. Hamburger is also famous for its seasoning. Most popular condiments used in hamburgers in the United States are mustard, mayonnaise, and ketchup. Besides ground meat patty, hamburgers are also stuffed with lettuce, onions, tomato slices, pickles, and cheese.
Hamburgers are also categorized into two types in the United States. Fast food hamburger and individual hamburgers served at restaurants are two basic types of burgers served in the United States. The individual hamburgers served at restaurants are prepared using everything including lettuce, onion, tomato, and sliced pickles as well as melted cheese on the patty or crumbled on top. American restaurants also serve veggie burgers for those who don't relish meat. Cheeseburgers are also hot favorite in the United States.
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Aaron H.
Standard greasy spoon fare, and pretty good with low to reasonable prices. The burgers and onion rings are very good. I haven't tried much else there. I tried the chili, and it was not very good. Not a bean in sight, large chunks of just tomato in a flavorless broth. I'd stick to the burgers..... My wife refuses to go back, and only my son and I will go (kind of "our" place). The restrooms are absolutely disgusting and tiny. My wife won't go back because she happened to look into the kitchen about a year ago. I'll leave it at that. It's good, but nothing special.
(3)Lisa B.
The Kitchen Sink w/ sausage gravy is the best. The Fat Boy burger is one of my favorites for dinner!
(5)Deelilah J.
I've only tried the burger but it's good, just the right component of soft bun and fresh beef and toppings. Subjectively, this is one of the best places I've tried. Really yummy, I look forward to going back and trying the hot dogs. They serve breakfast as well. Hours are limited so check before you go assuming they're going to be open.
(5)Phil G.
I love burgers, so it's strange that I haven't been to this place before now. I went yesterday for lunch. As most note, the service is not great. When I entered the place, I was not greeted nor was I even acknowledged. I went up to the counter to order and had to wait a while for the server/cashier to acknowledge me, although it was clear she saw me come in. I ordered the "Super Fat Boy", because I was ravenous and it promised a pound of meat. I also got a side of the crinkle-cut fries. It was clear the order was freshly made and since the place only had about 6 other customers, it came out steaming and tom my table fairly quickly. Normally, I would knock more stars off for dismissive service. Is it that difficult to at least acknowledge your customers? To say something like "Welcome to Fat Boy, just order when you're ready" or some such. The way I look at it, if you don't want my business, then I don't want to give it to you - but - the burger was very good and redeemed the place. The chopped green olive and mayo spread on top was really tasty, and the fries were done just right. Not sure I would dine in again, but I would certainly get take out from this place. Even if they can't do anything other than burgers, they do make a hell of a burger.
(3)Tom V.
Based on the positive reviews we ate here for the first time yesterday. The hamberger was very good and cooked to the way we ordered it. The patty was handmade. The bun was a little disappointing, very plan. It would be nice if they had homemade and/or seeded buns. The fries were very good. I wish they had different size burgers. Though you can order double patties it would be nice if they had different sizes such as 1/4, 1/3 and 1/2 pound patties. The food was served quickly and the staff was okay though they weren't very friendly. We love small talk with our server. The place was clean. It was also quiet in fact too quite. We like sounds of a true hamburger joint.. We would rate this at 3.5 stars if we could but we went with 4 stars and gave them the benefit of the doubt since it was our first time.
(4)Moon J.
Fat Boy restaurant, no relation to Big Boy, has been around for several decades. The atmosphere is somewhat like a truck stop, but I'm sure that back in the day Richie and the Fonz would have hung out there after class at Creston. A total dive, the restaurant does have a couple good things going for it: 1) the Fat Boy burgers are awesome, and 2) there's a little bit of history when you walk in, order you food and eat in one of the booths. There's just something about decent/historic atmosphere and a great burger and Fat Boy's is a place where you can get both. Parking is sometimes a challenge, however a majority of the time it shouldn't be a problem. Check it out if you've always wondered about the restaurant, you'll be pleasantly surprised.
(3)Jim J.
Great hamburgers, love the crinkle cut fries. Service is a little slow
(4)Sherry K.
Three of us went there for an early dinner on Wednesday. We have never been there and decided to go because of the groupon offer. We were pleasantly surprised on the quality of the food. The food were all freshly prepared and came out piping hot. The burgers and fries were nicely prepared, not greasy. I really liked by chicken sandwich which is made in a flat bread with grilled chicken, bacon, lettuce and tomatoes. They also have ice cream and malts for dessert. The combo was a nice deal. The place is clean. It is a dive for sure. The menu is on a chalkboard and you walk straight up to the counter to place order. They only take cash but there is an ATM right inside the restaurant. They also service wide range of breakfast with limited selection after 11AM. We will come back for sure!
(5)Adam G.
I was excited when I heard they were open again. Its not often you can find a good burger. It had been a while and maybe the nostalgia for the place made me remember it better than it was. We walked in and the place looked nice. New paint, fun posters and just neat over all. There was a line and we were 4 or 5 people deep to place our order. It took a while to order, but it seemed ok. I wanted some onion rings, but they were out? So were were waiting a while and slooooowlllly watching the orders get filled. They would call off your name and you'd go get your food. So it had been a while, long enough to need a refill on my drink. So went up to get one and I notice that the cook appears to be cooking one order at a time. There was a giant grill and there were 3 or 4 burgers on it and one basket of fries in the fryer. If he would have loaded it up he could have taken care of his tickets much faster. I'm not kidding it was 5 minutes between the orders he was putting up. So when we finally get the food the burgers were small and the buns were......just like the plain generic buns you would get at the grocery store that come 8 to a pack. It was nothing special at all.
(2)Jen I.
Excellent, Fast, Friendly, Diner-esk experience! I ordered the Chi Chi and it was overfilled and delicious! The staff is also very friendly! I highly recommend!
(5)Orson B.
Maybe I should have tried the burger if that's what they are known for. I had the hash breakfast plus an order of chili cheese fries. The breakfast was decent, but not remotely close to what Anna's serves a few miles up Plainfield. Also, my usual gripe about chili being too sweet once again came true with the chili cheese fries. I swear, Wendy's has better chili than most restaurants in Grand Rapids. It's like they poured a giant bag of sugar in the chili. Why would anyone older than 10 years old want sugary chili? Maybe I'll try it again to sample the burger.
(3)Roel S.
Food was delicious the service was poor. I'd come back but my wife probably will not.
(3)Adria C.
This is one of my new favorite restaurants! I plan on going back quite often Food: Amazing burger; the taste was phenomenal. Service: Very friendly! Price: Very reasonable for what you receive.
(5)Russ A.
Last time I stopped in I was hungry for hot dogs so I ordered a couple. To my surprise, they were deep fried! Ugh! I have read the reviews about how good the burgers are so I will give it a second chance. Place has been here for years.
(3)Taylor C.
Stars for the awesome food. However, the owner took my togo order today, in which he messed up and put the wrong stuff in the computer, when I got there he was talking to some buds at the mini bar, instead of welcoming me he just yelled in the back "hey there's a guy here" so a nice girl came out, he was very barky at her and rude, she was just confused by his lack of correctness on my order, which wasn't important in comparison to his conversation about getting a flat tire on the highway earlier in the week, he acted annoyed he had to help her understand his wrongdoing. I feel bad for the chick who was amazing at her job and cared. Tip her good!
(4)Mike L.
Changes in prices so ask why before getting upset. I have requested that the owner post information so customers are informed. Will do my best to support small business in Grand Rapids.
(3)Kristine R.
Customers beware! The owner likes to talk crap about his customers to other costumers. Very unprofessional! They may have great food but I will never step foot in there again! He doesn't deserve my money!
(1)David H.
I always look for neighborhood restaurants and this truly is one. I had breakfast which was good and I watched a group of regulars meet for coffee
(4)Angela B.
Great little local place!! My husband and I recently moved into the neighborhood and everyone was telling us that we needed to stop by. It isn't huge, but apparently came under new ownership around 2010 and they did a complete remodel. It was very clean and you could tell that it had been recently painted. We both ordered burgers and they were very good. We liked their buns and could tell that the toppings were fresh. I also really liked their fries. I think my burger/fry/drink combo was around $6-$7. The table next to us ordered onion rings and they smelled and looked amazing! We will get them next time. They also do to-go orders. Check their hours before you go because they aren't open a few evenings a week. NEGATIVE: My husband said the men's restroom was disgusting. I didn't go check the women's so I can't comment on that.
(5)Kristen M.
I'm from Atlanta, visiting my bf's family in GRap -- every local I met agreed Fat Boy was a GRap staple that couldn't be missed. I haven't had a burger in years, but it was well worth the wait for my Fat Boy burger w/ a side of rings. I think I'll eat burgers exclusively from Fat Boy from now on :)
(5)Amy M.
I was driving by, it was dinner time so I decided to stop in and try a burger to go. This place is somewhat of a landmark in the area. It has been there for what feels like forever! I just got a burger & fries to go - prices were good, service was fast & the food was yummy. I will definitely be back!
(4)Shaun H.
I have heard a lot about Fat Boy and have always wanted to try it. The first time I attempted to go there was a Saturday after work around 5 PM, sadly Fat Boy closes at 3 PM Saturday through Monday (why does a Burger place close at 3 PM on a weekend?.) So I ended up driving down the street to the Burger King down the road, and received one of the best Whoppers I have ever had. Today for lunch I stopped by Fat Boy. It was a small little place, but had a pretty nice atmosphere. Just a relaxing place where people go to enjoy food. I looked at the menu, and a lot of their food looked tasty. I saw that there was a special on the Bleu Burger Combo for $1.00 off, so I decided to get that. The combo came out to be over $9.00 even after the discount, which wouldn't have been so bad if they had accepted credit or debit cards, but disappointingly they do not. They do conveniently have an ATM located in the restaurant, but like most ATM's you need to pay a service fee of $2 to access your own money. Now I hate when businesses do not want to pay the meager fee they would have to to accept cards, but provide an ATM so you can get cash, therefore making you pay an extra $2 to be able to do business there. So the way I see it, my combo actually ended up costing me another $2. The burger and the fries were really tasty, but they were not $11 tasty. They weren't even really $9 tasty. I will probably go back to Fat Boy, but only if I have cash, and then not very often since they are a bit pricey for a burger joint.
(3)Scott H.
After tracking this place down a few years ago shortly after their reopening, this has become the traditional rendezvous point for our group arriving from Chicago for the annual Winter Beer Festival at Fifth Third Field. First off, who can't stop after seeing the amazingly vintage Fat Boy sign outside? The interior is your typical diner/coffee shop layout with booths and tables. Walk straight up to the counter to order, then a server will hand you your drinks and deliver your food to the table. A solid single burger, if not a tad undersized for the bun. With the small size of the patties, a double wouldn't be overkill for the average lunch appetite. Simple ingredients and seasoning like most old-style burger joints and it just seems to work. Chose the onion rings on my most recent visit and they quickly became the star of the show. These sizable rings used something very similar to funnel cake batter and it really worked with the large sweet rings. Decadent and good to the last crumb. The old-school neighborhood burger joint vibe is what enamors me to this place, but the food is solid too so we'll definitely keep coming back during our annual winter visit to GR.
(3)Bryan L.
Best burger in Grand Rapids! New management in the last couple of years so any prior complaints or reviews about cleanliness should be ignored. The burger is fresh ground, cooked to order and they have recently added hand cut fries to the menu (crinkle cut are available also if you prefer). You won't find a better burger basket (especially for the money) anywhere in GR.
(5)Corry M.
YUM. I am now fat
(5)Rob T.
The best for that burger fix!
(5)Dawn B.
Update: Apparently management has changed since I was last there so take my review with a grain of salt... Fat Boy is a Southwest Michigan institution. It's been there forever and I'm pretty sure that the majority of the staff has been around since the beginning. It's your standard burger joint with better than average fries and decent shakes. I was in there recently after a two year hiatus and was surprised to see that they had remodeled the inside. Unfortunately however, the air purifier seems to be working overtime to clear the smoke, and the whole place smells like an ashtray. That said, you might want to make your order to go.
(4)