Can I say this is my new favorite restaurant in Grand Rapids? Favorite restaurant and Grand Rapids are not usually two thoughts I combine into a sentence. But after visiting TR, I am eating my words. No, I shouldn't do that -- I should go back here and eat something here instead. The menu is full of interesting combinations that have A LOT going on. So much that my wife and I decided to split a couple of entrees because everything sounded too good. Our server was quick, friendly and helpful. Prices are average, but I probably would've paid a bit more because the food was so interesting. If I had to complain about everything it's the portion sizes because they're a little here and there. What my wife ordered was a bit small in comparison to the giant order of mac 'n cheese that was placed before me. It was fine, since we shared, but had I ordered her entree alone (beef wellington) I might've been a little hungry.
(5)
Ctny S.
If I could give this place an "eh" rating, I would. I went here for dinner this past weekend. Before that, I was here a couple times about 4 years ago without feeling like I wanted to try it again. But, my husband hasn't ever been, and I thought I'd give it another shot since we both like their sister restaurant Crooked Goose. I wish we went somewhere else. My husband got the Duke Wellington which he said was just ok-nothing great. For the price and what you get is rediculous. Yes, I get it, it's a filet. What size filet though? The menu doesn't say. It looks like you get a side of baby potatoes. Nope, only 1 sliced into 4 tiny pieces and barely any asparagus. He said the beer barrel bourbon cream sauce was overpowering and he didn't really care for it. He was less than impressed. I got the Kobe sizzler steak, which I was happy with to be honest. The mashed garlic potatoes were a little on the salty side though. But the service... horrible. The waitress was either overworked or just plain forgetful, or both. She forgot extra bread, our waters, blamed the kitchen for taking too long on the Duke Wellington, and we waited a good 15 minutes for her to pick-up our check. Also, the table that sat behind us and across from us got their food at the same time as us, and we were there at least 30 minutes prior. I think it's time I say goodbye to TR for good. This place looks good on the inside with updated decor and the menu looks like it will be fantastic, but what comes out of the kitchen is a letdown and mediocre at best, as well as the service.
(2)
Patra G.
My local comfort food haven! I love that everything is made from scratch supporting our local Econ ..nice one Twisted ;) I came here back in the day and thought it was an "old people" joint and overpriced, but it's so not! Mixed crowd, great servers, lots of food and drink options. I don't eat meat and there are mainly meat options which put me off at first, but they have been able to custom make me items or take the meat out no problem. Always excellent service, great portions and a fantastic happy hour and daily specials. I wouldn't call it a healthy restaurant, but definitely Midwestern comfort food at its best!
(5)
Courtney P.
Have been here many times and this will be our last. From a poor waitstaff to our food being brought out in the wrong order, I was half way through my main coarse when she remembered I ordered a salad..by the time I got the salad I was completely full. Then did not even offer to take the salad off the bill. Food was good but not enough to sit in the mildew smell to eat it. May have to do take- out if we ever decide on this place again.
(1)
Adam G.
Typically my favorite restaurant but tonight it was poor. The fries and tater tots tasted like burned, old grease. The waitress was friendly but left us sit for a long time after our appetizers while she helped a large table. The mac and cheese that came as an add on to my meal was not nearly worth the 4.60, it was puny,cold and had barely any cheese. I will try again soon be other time and hopefully give a better review.
(2)
Austin E.
This place is great using all Michigan grown and caught food but it just isnt my type of food needless to say i did enjoy the Lobster mac n cheese
(4)
Beverly W.
Best mac & cheese I have ever had and the service was great! We also had the "limited time only" blueberry cobbler. The cobbler was good, but not my favorite. Would I go back? Absolutely!
(4)
Adrianne B.
Twisted Rooster on a Saturday night...I must be a glutton for punishment, eh? Actually, the wait was average (15 mins), the service was prompt, and the food was good. I had the Reuben and loved it. I tried some of my daughter's Mac & cheese, ordered from the children's menu, and was unimpressed...it lacked flavor and basic seasoning and I thanked my lucky stars that I didn't order the adult menu version for myself! We were seated off to the right of the bar in a corner and soon surrounded by a 30 top party for a birthday. Our food order went in and came out by the time the big party was ordering. Our check drop and cash out was delayed because our server was slammed with running the party's food orders. As we left, I saw how crowded the bar was and made a mental note to avoid it on weekend evenings. I'd love to return for a weekday lunch and delve further into their menu.
(3)
Sheryl R.
Attended Happy Hour for apps and drinks with a couple friends. We all had simple drinks like beer and soda so no problem there. Sadly the appetizers were sub par. Previously had gone and food is inconsistent. Our simple apps were barely warm and without much taste. All 4 of us were disappointed! It's been a mixed bag with each visit so unlikely to go there again.
(2)
Brenna L.
The fish tacos are amazing. The best thing on their menu next to the campfire cheesecake dessert. I always recommend those two! The rest of their menu is pretty average. Kitchen can be a little slow, but we always order my daughter a side mac and cheese as soon as we sit down.
(4)
GR G.
This is one of the few chains that I like. They try to feature locally sourced food and put a unique twist on it. When they first opened, their Twisted Mac was the talk. Tried it way back whenand unfortunately wasn't too impressed. Wanting to give this place another shot, visited twice in a week. There is no lunch menu on Sat, so tried the Ramenito. This is a spicy chicken burrito with cooked ramen. Was sorta soggy and felt like they just sprayed Sriacha as the sauce. Their tater tots were good though. Came back during the week for dinner. They have happy hour apps - everything was half price. We tried just about everyone. Tots and the quesadillas were the best. For dinner, tried the ribs. With the large order, you can split the order between wet and dry ribs. Insider tips: go for happy hour and load up. Their sister restaurant, Crooked Goose, has a much better menu and the food tastes a bit better over there.
(3)
Amy M.
It seems like every time I come here I am with a large group. I have been seated at the exact same table every single time. So weird. And the speaker above the table is CRAZY loud. The fried pickles w/ mustard sauce are good, blue cheese tater tots tasty, burgers are good, some of my friends love the different mac & cheese they have to offer. They do not have honey mustard sauce for dipping which I think is a bit odd. But whatev. Not a place I ever think to go on my own but I can find something on the menu to eat. Nothing negative to say, it just doesn't WOW me.
(3)
Matt N.
Food was average to decent. Had dinner with another couple and our toddler son. Food took over an hour to arrive, seems like the kitchen lost our ticket. We were offered an appetizer as a concession, tried the Dorito bacon (not impressive). A six dollar appetizer was all that was offered after a two hour dinner, trying to keep a toddler satisfied and entertained. Fish tacos and zip chicken were very good, mac and cheese was good, Cajun carbonara was unimpressive. Beer Specials were very good. Don't know if we'll be going back, mostly due to the lack of ownership on the part of management for a party of four who had never been to the restaurant before. For a first experience, we had high hopes but were ultimately disappointed.
(1)
Jeremy P.
Fried pickles=3 Big chunks of pickles are not my thing. These should be pickle chips and the they'd be a 5. Taste good but overpowering. Ribs=3 Good but nothing I'd crave. Wouldn't order again. Pork lollipops=4 Again good but nothing is crave. Would order again. Kids meals=5 Hamburger and Mac and cheese were excellent. Kids loved the food. Salad side was big portion. Service=4 Good server although at times she'd disappear but I think she had a few tables spread out in restaurant. Overall=3.8 so ill round up to 4.
(4)
Kelli S.
Akin to Red robin but with a much more interesting menu, majority of items have a "twist" similar to asian fusion food. I got the East meets west BLT and it was exactly what I was looking for! Definitely a large portion and can be easily split with someone. I also tasked the baja fish tacos which were decent. Service was average. Prices are $$ but you get what you pay for and you could split alot of the dishes. If in the area again it's not somewhere I would be dying to go back, but it's a great location right next to the Meijer Gardens so that is pretty convenient.
(3)
Kirt S.
Wow, awesome food and great service! Love all of the Michigan grown or brewed foods and drinks! Had to wait til next time for the whitefish, they were out Settled for the fish & chips. Started with nachos which were really waffle fries with nacho toppings. So Good! My fish, awesome. Breading was great, waffle fries tasted good, but a little old. My wife enjoyed her chicken and noodles dish! So yummy. Quick service, nice atmosphere, great food. We will be back!
(4)
Heather J.
I love this place! I have only been a couple of times but I have never had a bad experience. The food is great and they have a wide selection of drinks. My only piece of advice is don't come here if you are in a hurry. They are usually pretty packed. Wait times for a table are not usually bad, but the whole process just takes a little longer. But hey, that's a great way to catch up with friends you haven't seen in awhile.
(5)
Saniya S.
I tried the siracha salmon burger which I did not like, I know it's fish but I felt like it was too fishy so I got the white fish entree instead which I thought was under seasoned. I also tried my friend's Mac and cheese which I also thought was under seasoned. I thought it would also be creamy but it was really dry. Overall, the food was average and I don't think I would go again. The concept of commit to the mitt is great, I just wished the food was flavorful.
(2)
Jenny H.
So glad this place is open in Grand Rapids! I got a big Twisted House salad for lunch which had a mix of blue cheese, apples strawberries, dries cherries and pecans. I also a cup of their soup. I came back after dinner to get some dessert and am glad they're open late! The campfire cheesecake was good because it had a large roasted marshmallow on top, and the caramel apple pudding was pretty good too.
(3)
Cole V.
Twisted Rooster is one of my go to spots to bring new people. The food is that of a normal chain restaurant done a little different with mostly all Michigan based product. Normally pretty packed for dinner with a wait, but I think that brings to the fact that it's a great place. They have plenty of Michigan beer, wine and even soda (faygo bottles). Good happy hour prices, and normally pretty good service. My favorite are the doctor pepper pork lollipops.
(4)
Neely A.
Not the best for large groups. The only time I would recommend coming is for happy hour before 6. If you order Mac and cheese, get a bottle of Sriracha!
(1)
Annie N.
This is one of my FAVORITE restaurants. It's great to bring friends and family here that are from out of town because it has a very casual atmosphere where they will be comfortable. They have great food too! It's all reasonably priced. My favorite to get there is the Kobe Steak - it's only $14! And it's delicious! Also, for an appetizer I like the Southwest Nachos. They also have a good selection of beer. It changes a lot but they always have local Michigan beers (Bells, Founders, etc.)
(5)
Ashley J.
I normally give great reviews of places but the service here really got to me.. The food was alright, not many options for a vegetarian. Their food was good though. My friends who went with me go there often for their specials but this was my first time. Our waitress was not very attentive and rarely checked on us. Someone else brought the food out and didn't even bring my boyfriends food out. When we finally got her attention she goes back there and comes back with his food and says "it was just sitting under the heat lamp, here you go" that was when my mood starting turning sour. When she brought the bill I asked for some compensation for waiting quite awhile for his food, she wasn't happy but took $4 off. Then when she came back with corrected bill I told her I didn't appreciate her telling us that his food was just sitting there and how bad her attitude was. She then started arguing with me and trying to defend herself but my friends backed me up. She then angrily stormed away. I told her I will be speaking with her manager. I brought everything to her managers attention including her throwing our bill at us. She was fine but I hope that server was reprimanded for her horrible attitude. I haven't gone back since.
(2)
Todd C.
Great food, and terrific service!!!! Abby was super nice. Definitely try the Penut Butter and Jelly Tiramisu!
(5)
Molly R.
I went to the Twisted Rooster for the first time recently. Overall, I was very pleased. When we arrived the parking lot was pretty full. We had a group of 8 and we were a little concerned about getting a table, but only had to wait 5-10 min. At first when we came in, it seemed a bit loud in the dining room. When we got to our table at the far side of the restaurant I found that I was mistaken and it was easy for us to have a conversation within our big group. Our server was attentive and friendly. She was very patient as we sat and took up her table for quite some time waiting for everyone to arrive and then visiting afterwards. The have a great selection of beers, with something for everyone. Since they are known for the Mac & Cheese, I had to give it a try. I went with the Wild Mushroom-Truffle Mac & Cheese. As expected it was great! Others in the group ordered, Twisted Mac & Cheese, Brushetta Pasta and Southwest Nachos. Everyone had good things to say about the food they ordered. After dinner, two desserts were ordered to share; The Campfire Cheesecake and Tiwsted Chocolate desserts. These were also delicious! I noticed on their dessert menu that they also have Faygo floats. One day I'll have to go back and try a Rock & Rye Float.
(4)
Jenna J.
Delicious salads! I think their food is getting better! Only critique I have is that our server would disappear for long periods of time and we had no idea where he went. Lol.
(4)
Jeremy C.
I went this past Saturday night with my wife. She got the turkey burger and I got the bison burger. Both were pretty bland, but the turkey burger exceedingly so. I have never tasted a burger, turkey or otherwise, with such a shocking absence of flavor. The whole meal would have been entirely forgettable, except that a few hours after eating it I started to feel incredibly sick. I then spent a good portion of my Sunday... well, no need to spell it out for you. I called the restaurant to warn them that they might have some tainted meat, but the manager I spoke to brushed off my concerns and insisted that I must have gotten sick elsewhere. "Foodborne illnesses take at least twelve hours for symptoms to show," she said. Sorry, Dr. Denial, but that's simply not true. I should know; I have the Internet. There was one bright spot to the meal, and that was our server. She was exceedingly nice, and took my wife's turkey burger off the bill when it was clear from my wife's reaction that she did not enjoy it. We did not ask for it to be removed from the bill and did not expect it, but we certainly appreciated that our server went above and beyond to give us good service. If only the rest of the experience had been that good.
(1)
Sarah G.
Came back to GR after moving to TX, couldn't wait to go to Twisted Rooster again. Service was horrible! Waitress could hardly be bothered to talk to us, let alone check on us. Had planned on sitting around after we ate and drinking while watching the games. Couldn't wait to get out of there. Lost sales with us. That being said food was ok.
(2)
Bulldog B.
Wanted to give the Rooster a second try from our first experience. Food was delicious, I had the Twisted Mac and my wife had the Quesadilla. Flavor was excellent, however both were ice cold. Once the food was dropped off, the server did not return until our drinks were empty and our food was all consumed. I don't understand how this place is so busy. I marveled to myself how it is possible with such consistent poor food/service. I wish I could say better.
(2)
Ryan M.
My first time at Twisted Rooster and I was less than impressed. Our waitress was kind and friendly, but the kitchen was slow getting our appetizer and food out. The fried calamari app was pretty delicious but my bacon and egg burger was one of the worst I've had. I ordered it medium rare and received it very well done. The bun was far too small for the burger and in a matter of minutes I had a soupy sloppy mess. A burger from a coney would have been more enjoyable. My friends chicken and veggie plate was flavorful from the couple small bites I had. Lastly, the place was freezing, I wore my winter coat the whole time.
(2)
Robert P.
I love twisted rooster. Great food from scratch, lots locally sourced, and at a good price! If anything comes out of the kitchen unsatisfactory, simply alert your server and they will take care of you. I once had a burger slightly over cooked, and was going to eat it anyways, but our server saw the meat was over cooked and she had a fresh one made super fast.
(5)
Farah R.
Went to Grand Rapids to visit a friend. I love a great selection of craft beer, wine and good food, so he brought me to the Twisted Rooster. Now I have to say, their beer list is amazing. They have a wide variety of choices and their beer flights were the perfect way to go. They also informed me that all the beers are on a frequent rotation - a huge plus. To go with my drinks, I got the Twisted Tator Tots and the Fish Tacos. Both were delicious. I wasn't expecting the tacos to be so good, but the fish was fried perfectly I literally could have eaten the sauce they used on the tacos by the bucket. The prices blew me away. I wasn't expecting so much food/alcohol to amount to only $50 (for the both of us). I suppose I am a bit prejudices, living in LA, where each beer is upwards of $7. The beer/alcohol prices at this place were how much we would pay during happy hour in LA. If you want a great, twisted-American food dining experience, this is definitely the place to go.
(4)
Michelle G.
My husband and I are in Grand Rapids on a contract. We have acquired a list of restaurants that are a must. Twisted Rooster is on that list. So after a movie, we stopped in for dinner. On first arriving I must say the decor was a bit more brown that I would prefer, however it works with the art very well. We were seated in the "bar" area, which was pretty spacious. There are plenty of televisions for entertainment. Our waitress was Chelsi. She arrived at our table and asked us if we had ever been to TR. No was our reply and she got the biggest grin on her face. So she proceeded to explain Twisted Rooster. We were so delighted to find out that they buys their meats,bread and veggies local when able. Which seems to be a good majority of the time. She made suggestions of favorites that she has either tried herself or from guests favorites. She explained that were 13 Michigan Brewed beers on tap. That was awesome for me since I love, love, love Michigan beer. I had the Founders Rubaeus. This was perfectly sweet and tart. The best way for me to describe is literally the wine of beers. If you like sweet red wine with a bit of crisp tart, this is the beer to try. Great raspberry notes throughout. I ordered the fish tacos based on Chelsi's recommendation. I must say they were pretty good. The slaw as delicious and crunchy with a bit of spice. The fish in the taco was good, however the pieces in my tacos were not plentiful to really taste them. I had to eat the taco without the shell, to understand the fish flavor. Which I might add is very good. Now if only there were more in the taco. My husband had the Detroit Zip sauce Sirloin. OMG!!! This was fantastic!!! I totally wished I had ordered that instead of the tacos. The Zip sauce is like a butter soy sauce and when its added to a hot seared steak, it makes taste like heaven in your mouth. He also ordered a Cesar side salad (which they don't carry on the menu, but he is a diabetic so Chelsi made that happen). Just another reason she is so fantastic and deserved the tip we left for her. We will go back again and sit in her section. Our first experience here was terrific and we will definitely be back and tell everyone we know all about Twisted Rooster. Thank you.
(4)
Gayle B.
Another great trip to twisted rooster, you need to try the fish tacos they are great. Warm friendly service and a great meal.
(5)
Adam B.
Love the interesting spin on the menu items here! Burgers are great, steaks are decent (although my Kobe sizzler as a bit tough today.)
(4)
Timothy B.
Went to the Twisted Rooster to see if it lived up to the hype. Overall, I would say it held up fairly well. Upon arriving the parking lot was filled with cars so I was worried we weren't going to get a table. However, the wait was only about 15 minutes. They have a good selection of craft brews (they had 18 total brews on tap, most of them craft brews) and they were reasonably priced. I got a few and they were good. I also ordered the house mac and cheese (the specialty mac and cheese) and it was great! I liked the sauce and the veggies that were included. I appreciate their commitment to Michigan food and brews. The downsides were that the restaurant was very loud and packed so it was hard to carry on a conversation. The televisions are also located in poor spots, as some have lights hanging down directly in front of them and some are far away from the booths. The service was great however we did get our bill before the waitress even asked if we wanted another brew. Based on my experience, this restaurant merits another visit.
(4)
Kristen H.
The location for Twister Rooster couldn't be much better. They offer a good selection of local beers and have a wide variety on their menu. We ordered the pork lollipops, the Twisted House Salad, and Calamari. The food was good, the salad and the pork lollipops were awesome! The calamari was a little cold but the taste was good... The service was great. If you are looking for a restaurant to sit and chat at this might not be the best option it is a little loud and hard to hear people at your table.
(4)
Jennifer D.
Food was very good. The southwest chicken fries nachos were awesome. My husband and I shared the bacon & egg burger and the southwest chicken carbonara. Both were good. The burger definitely outshined the carbonara. The carbonara needed a little more spice. The highlight of our experience was our waiter, Jason. He was very knowledgeable and very attentive. We will definitely come back. Thank you.
(4)
Charlie W.
Great service, good food. We had the Soda Pop Pork Lollipop, Ribs. Chicken carbon, Caribbean Jerk Salmon Salad... Everything was good, the lobster mac and cheese was great. Pretty crowded on Friday evening
(4)
John S.
Just meh. Food we had wasn't bad, just seemed like it was all frozen, fried, and put on a plate with a few decorations. It says they use "local" ingredients in some food items but none of it tasted or appeared local to me. If you like chain restaurants you will love this place. If not, I'd recommend trying somewhere else.
(2)
EB H.
For all the people out there who rated this place 1 star need to give the twisted rooster a second chance. I love the twisted rooster soo much. anybody who goes there needs to try the diablo burger or the buffalo mac n cheese! it's so yummy! when I last went there, they said it would be a 30-40 minute wait. Not at all! we were at a table in about two minutes! our server was very friendly and the manger came and checked on us too! the twisted rooster is my all time favorite restaurant! *if you want to order the buffalo mac n cheese, ask your server for it because they don't show it on the menu anymore but they will still make it for you.*
(5)
Lacey D.
Strike three and you're out! I have been to Twisted Rooster quite a few times. I have taken my manager and colleagues here before so when family came into town last time I told them that we had to go to the Twisted Rooster. I love their unique food as well as their support for local vendors. The first time we went in I was rubbed the wrong way right off the bat. It was a Friday night but later so there wasn't a wait at all. When my family and I walked in we stood in front of the hostess stand for a good few minutes without any acknowledgement at all. Now I have worked as a server for many years and I'm sorry but it is just common human courtesy to say hello and acknowledge a person's presence when they enter, especially if you made eye contact. Instead we just got ignored until we were literally 2 inches from the hostess stand and asked if we could have a table for 5 please. We ran into issues with a person's debit card being left so it turns out that I had to return the very next day. You see my mom is from out of town and her debit card was left so she called right away but as soon as she said she was from out of town the manager pretty much implied that she was SOL. Being that she lives hours away she requested if they could possibly overnight it. The manager was appalled that she would even suggest that THEY pay for an overnight cost and instead offered to cut up the debit card instead and my mom could just simply get a new one! I'm sorry but I'm sure you have taken many meals off of customer meals so you are telling me that you could not spend the $5 to overnight a card and keep a loyal customer and I have never heard of places cutting up cards simply so they do not have to deal! Anyways I had to drive over and get the card and when I arrived AGAIN the hostess did not acknowledge me and when she finally did I politely asked to speak with the manager because he was expecting me. She rudely asked me what it was about (none of her business) so I politely asked if she was a manager as well. She wasn't so really she was just being nosy. After they finally got the manager I could see the rude hostess talking and pointing right at me! Next time at least be a little discrete if you are talking about someone. I got the card and the manager said "Here's some giftcards because your mom said you should get something for your inconvenience!" Well thanks haha I'm glad my mom has my back and you didn't just offer out of the goodness of your heart! Third time...went back only because we got giftcards. I am not kidding, the hostess ignored us again! Service was a little better but felt like we were an inconvenience. Maybe its just because this place has left a bad taste in my mouth. Food was amazing and I'm sad that I won't be bringing my manager back here anytime soon but in the end service can make or break a place! Good luck
(1)
Crystal R.
As a party of 10 trying to get reservations for a Saturday night, we were gracious that Twisted Rooster was able to get us in. It was prom night somewhere, lots of dresses and large parties for that as well. The food menu is basically the same as my Belleville location, so food was good as expected. The service was great, and the owner/manager was very accomodating.
Twisted Rooster has a new menu and a fantastic Happy Hour! Happy Hour is M-F 3-6 and includes $2 beer and wells and $3 appetizers. The service is good, but I find myself having to ask for things instead of the bar staff asking me. There are daily specials that are all day.. ex. Mondays are Made In Michigan beers for $2. I've tried several different things on the menu. So far my faves include: Twisted House Salad, Side of Macaroni and cheese (not the full size as they are not as creamy), Kobe steak, and the French dip is amazing. One thing you can always do is order sides instead of something full, amazing!
(4)
Jan D.
My husband and I stopped for dinner. We won't do so again. The table was not clean, when I showed the hostess, she said she'd take care of it, but never came back. The server immediately wiped the table and took our order. My grouper sandwich was good but the tarter sauce was heavily applied. The fries were a combination of tasty and stale. My husband had the fish and chips. The waffle fries were also stale. The fish was overcooked and the breading was not good at all. We are normally pretty easily satisfied with food, but very disappointed tonight. We won't be back.
(2)
Tami H.
Food okay and service terrible. We were in tonight and our fifteen minute wait was over a half hour, and then our food took forever. Our appetizer came after our main course and I never received the salad I ordered but was charged for it. Not acceptable.
(3)
Tiffany L.
The twisted rooster never let's me down. Creative food from the mitten. Great drink selection too!
(4)
John W.
I'd give zero stars if I could. My wife and I went here to get a bite to eat. Very busy, which isn't an issue, but the hostess was rude and disinterested the moment we began to speak. We finally were seated. We both ordered the roo hamburger as well as a beer for each of us. When we got our food I noticed that my burger was missing all of the toppings it was supposed to come with and the tots I ordered with were cold. My wife's burger (which she ordered medium well) was barely passable as rare, it was literally cold and pink. Plus that burger was also missing the toppings. We wanted to send the meals back but our server seemed "unavailable" as she was hanging by the bar. So in the meantime my wife decided to take a small side bite from her burger because she was starving. When she bit into the burger there was a SPIDER in the burger (a spider!!), which she spit out immediately after it was crawling in her mouth. We crushed the spider with one of the burgers buns. We flagged our server who seemed disinterested in what had just occurred and proceeded to offer us a new burger. At this point (as you can imagine) we no longer had an appetite and said no, we wanted to speak with the Manager. It took the Manager some time to come and find us (we watched as she went to two different tables before realizing we were the customers who had an issue/complaint). We showed her the spider, the uncooked burgers with no toppings and asked "what is going on?" She said they were having a tough night in the kitchen, basically throwing the staff under the bus, but didn't really apologize other than saying this shouldn't have happened. She offered us each another burger, which of course we declined again. She then said she would not charge us for the burgers. Next thing we know the server comes over and hands us a bill for the two beers we purchased with our meal. Not to be picky but my wife just almost ate a spider from a raw hamburger and you won't even pick up the entire tab?!?! Just thought that was very low class. We even got the general managers business card and emailed him our experience in the hopes that sharing this experience would help stop future issues like this from happening. We never got a response back. As you can imagine we will NEVER eat at this restaurant again.
(1)
Val A.
Glad I didn't listen to reviews and just went based on a recommendation from a friend. I personally had a great dinner experience here and the food hit the spot! I had the tator tots with bleu cheese as an appetizer (yum!) and the beer battered chicken fingers with fries for my entree (also yum!). The waitress wasn't amazing but she was average. She didn't mess up anything, but I've experienced friendlier waitresses/waiters. The price of food was reasonable. I'd come here again next time I'm in town.
(5)
Matt W.
I've been here a few times in the past but never wrote a review, the fish tacos that everyone talks are about are truly the star of the menu as far as I'm concerned. Paired with the great craft beer choices make me a happy individual. Service is good, especially at the bar.
(3)
Brittany B.
The food here was average at best. There wasn't much to offer for me that day. We both were greeted by unenthusiastic hosts who sat us and walked away. Our server must have been new because the wait time in between drink refills and taking our food order was a little too long. We decided to grab some appetizers, but instantly regretted the choices we made. Not only did our server not check back on us, neither did the manager that walked past us a few times. We found it odd that when our server dropped off our check, she didn't notice the fact that we hardly touched our food. She set boxes down and the check and away she went again. We would go back to have a quick drink, but it won't be in the near future.
(2)
Sean B.
There is a reason why there are so many negative reviews for this place - horrible service and poor management. The food is fine, once you get it - so if you are OK with waiting an hour and maybe missing a show, by all means. Our most recent visit, the restaurant was busy, but not full, and we waited nearly 60 minutes for kids' chicken strips, a salad, and chicken wings. When we approached the manager, who was just hanging out at the hostess stand, on the way out, she shrugged her shoulders and said, "We're kinda busy." Sorry, there is no excuse for poor service and as a manager you should never offer one. Your job is to make sure your customers are happy and if they are not, fix it.
(1)
Adam G.
We often go to the Twisted Rooster after work. I really like their happy hour prices on appetizers. $3 for their calamari is a steal. Its the softest and most tender I have ever had. Always cooked perfectly. The southwest nachos use waffle fries instead of chips. Those are also something I get to share too. Its a little pricey for lunch so we don't go very often for that. Happy hour is where its at.
(4)
Aaron O.
This place was not at all as I expected. Te noise level was seven out of ten I don't care to raise my voice when talking to the person sitting next to me. The service staff was friendly but appeared to be lacking direction from management. It is obvious someone has spent a lot of money on this place is beautiful inside just needs tightening up. Food was ok I ordered calamari as an appetizer, it came as five pieces that looked like Gortons fish sticks. I asked the server about it and she said the cut them like that. Never worked with squid that was thick as my thumb? Only one sauce available with them. Not going to rush back to this place
(2)
Jay A.
The food was really good! Got the hot pepper cheese dip and it was amazing, then we got fish tacos and the twisted burger, both excellent dishes. Next time I would add tomato and lettuce to the burger, but otherwise it was great!
(5)
Linda H.
I do not understand why this place is always crowded. I go because my husband likes it. I will not go any longer. I cannot pay those kind of prices for lackluster service by people that don't understand what customer service is (such as giving me a place setting when I sit at the bar and order lunch and don't act like it was a big deal that I asked for it). The wild mushroom bisque had seriously 3 little slices of mushroom in it. The rest was just a very thin sherry tasting milky broth. Their burger Wednesday is a Roo burger for $3.99...no fries, no cheese, no extras. If you ask for those it all adds up. So it really isn't a special is it? God bless who ever owns this place because they keep it packed with overpriced bland tasting food. They're crying all the way to the bank.
(2)
Kris L.
Great Michigan beer selection, underwhelming comfort-food based menu. Must be very popular with suburbanites, as the wait was 45 mins at 5:00 PM...we opted for the bar and avoided the wait altogether.
(3)
Ron T.
Brought the family here for dinner. We sat down and were quickly offered menus. From 3-6pm M-F the offer $2.00 drafts and $3.00 appetizers. This is a great deal! The food is decent. Unfortunately I cannot give the review more stars because the service was lousy. Slow wait staff and did not get the order right. When she forgot my son's entree she said she would be right back but she never even came back with his food and we had to wait to catch the hostess and have her send our waitress back. Drinks took way too long. The place is good but tonight the service was lousy.
(3)
Erika S.
Went there with family while on a visit. Went on a weekend for lunch so it was busy but still no excuse for our wait. Our server was less than attentive and we ended up waiting over 45 min for our meals. Actually, the rest of the family waited about 45 min and my husband and I waited over an hour. By the time our food came out everyone else was finishing up and our meals were luke warm. I asked for some extra dipping sauce to try to salvage my cold food and 20 min later I got it. The food was ok. We liked the idea that they use many locally sourced ingredients and the food was somewhat unique. Other members of our party said that the experience that day was not typical, but sadly that is the only experience we had and likely will ever have.
I always love Twisted Rooster. It's great that they make as much of the food local as possible. The calamari fried in Founder's Pale Ale was awesome as are any of their "signature" dishes. We have had great service both times going. First time was for my fiance's birthday and they messed up on the appetizer. When we informed our server, she apologized and quickly replaced it without being asked. Soon after, the manager came to us and apologized. We were then informed that for birthdays, you must sign up for their emails to get a dessert, but they gave us a free one anyway. And lo and behold, when the bill came, appetizer and drinks were comped. This was far beyond what was expected and greatly appreciated. Love this place!
(5)
Judith C.
House Salad - yum! Lobster mac and cheese - WOW! Wish I lived in GR, would come here often. Franchise in San Diego? Good service. What more can you ask for? (my sister liked her mushroom, truffle mac and cheese)
(5)
Austin B.
Slow service and it wasn't even busy. More than half the tables were open for a late lunch. My wife and I like to come here each year when we visit from out of state although I don't think we will next year. The food is overall four out of five. Its the service and atmosphere that really bring the place down.
(2)
Anthony P.
Was greeted and seated for lunch immediately! Good! Quickly offered a drink and took my order! Good. The order was a little slow in arriving. Ordered Asian chicken salad. It was good. Nice dressing. Tart. Waitress followed up at appropriate times. good. A good semi-fast food restaurant. While the food is good it isn't anything you'd drive out of your way for. The service was good. Plenty of TVs. The ambience was standard Applebee's type of ambience.
(3)
Anna R.
Routinely have lunch catered at my office from twisted rooster. Meal most often brought is the twisted macaroni and cheese which is fantastic. The twisted house salad - with it's wonderful cherry maple dressing, Michigan apples and cherries -- is also amazing.
(4)
J N.
Went for lunch with my daughter one day - got her chicken fingers that were huge and she loved them :). I got the pulled pork sandwich. Super tasty! Would love to go back and try some beer and apps.
(4)
Monkean M.
Went there for the first time a few weeks ago. I had a really good appetizer (hot wings) and great burger (bacon and egg burger). Everything is local, but not necessarily organic. That's fine and I don't feel like they are trying to claim to be organic. We had a little wait, but it was worth it. Waiter was personable and attentive.
(4)
Tori V.
Although known for their mac and cheese, they have the best fish tacos ever and absolutely amazing calamari!
(4)
MaryKaye S.
First time here and loved it. So many options, waitress was happy to exchange my fries for veggies. Loved the twisted rooster salad.
(5)
Erin G.
Had a great time at the Twisted Rooster while on vacation. Cheap beer, cheap appetizers, but both were high quality. $2 for craft brew is amazing. Smoked salmon app was great!
(4)
Matthew C.
Overall, I'm definitely a fan of the Twisted Rooster. The menu is hit-or-miss, which is to be expected, since it changes seasonally. Some things are just "okay", and others are pretty amazing. I can't help but feel that the names tend to scare people away from some of the dishes, and towards the more conservative, but bland fare. One of the best appetizers is the Southwest "Nachos". Actually waffle-cut fries, with fresh pico, fresh sliced jalepeno (a mild variatal) and a southwest cheese sauce... they're always great. My wife and I split an order, ever time. They're quite filling, and that means I usually take home half of my entre, and eat it for lunch at work the next day. My wife reports that the "Twisted House Salad" is fantastic. It's a savor blend of sweet (apples and cranberries, and cinnamon croutons) and salty. The dressing is great as well, and she likes it with chicken on top. They do a pretty good job with the grilled chicken breast, here, and you'll find it in many dishes. It has a smoky flavor, and is generally juicy. It can be hit-or-miss, however. The fish tacos were disappointing, in my opinion, but my wife likes them. The Soda Pop Pork Lolipops: Pork ribs cut in a manner similar to rack of lamp, with a really delicious sweet and tangy "Dr. Pepper BBQ Sauce", are definitely a hit. So are the ribs, both styles. The Dry Rub is crusty, salty, and herbal, the wet are sweet and tangy. Both were falling off the bone. They are famous for their Mac and Cheese. The Lobster Mac is pretty good. The Buffalo Mac is exactly what you'd expect. In general, a good Mac and Cheese, with a significant enough portion (looks small on a big plate, but is very filling) that I usually take home enough for lunch the next day. I'm 6'3", and 260lbs. I don't have a small appetite. I've heard that the burgers are pretty good. I've never tried them. They have a Tuesday special on burgers ($3 or something), which attracts my friends. I have a feeling they do a decent job. The service can be hit-or-miss. Some of the staff is very attentive and helpful. Other staff seem to just disappear. That can be quite frustrating. Not frustrating enough to keep me from coming back, but definitely something to improve. It's super busy on Friday and Saturday nights. I recommend going for lunch, or on a weeknight. The decor is nice enough, and the lighting is low (my wife can't stand bright lights). The music is an odd mix of greatest hits and top 40. I crack up, because they keep bringing in this guy who does (I must admit very good) acoustic covers of... greatest hits and top 40. It's just funny to hear them turn off the radio, and then have a guy launch into exactly the same playlist, but on a guitar. They have TVs everywhere, with sports. That's distracting for me, but it's not a sports bar, by any means. All in all, a great local alternative to your standard "Tchotchke's" establishment (Applebees, Chilis, Fridays, and so forth).
(4)
Ricky C.
To put it simply their food was great and the hospitality was very good. I will definitely be back.
(4)
John L.
Eaten at the twist many times, first review. You gotta try the fish taco's. Really very good as is the twisted house salad. Basically that's all I've ever had here but there so good that I never try anything else. Others in my party have and always report great things. Servers are very friendly and the place is generally quite busy, maybe too busy! A reservation is probably in order if you don't want to wait. I will keep going back and maybe try something else, the french dip looks pretty good.
(4)
Chelsea M.
It's always good to find a restaurant that bases it's menu on local ingredients and purchases from and supports other Michigan business. I went with my sister to check out The Twisted Rooster because she had been raving about it! Turns out she has pretty good taste. The food was good, fresh, a fair price, and a reasonable sized portion. The only disappointment were the beers on tap. A pale ale and IPA were the only two Michigan beers on draft. We both ordered the "Fresh Pasta". The tomatoes were great and croutons crisp. Yum! I'd really like to head back another time to get another menu option a shot.
(3)
Mitch A.
Came here at about 5:30 on a tuesday after a day at Meijer Gardens. Comfortable, family friendly, busy, Their $3 appetizer happy hour was great opportunity to introduce one of our party to calamari. We ordered 2 between the 5 of us, and every last speck was gone. It comes like a salad with spinach and a dressing. The calamari was done absolutely perfectly. Not as crispy as we expected, but super tender, not at all chewy, and flavorful. Won over another squid convert. The fish and chips (grouper) was excellent. Again, not as crispy as I would have expected, but totally delish. Moist and not greasy. Waffle fries were super crispy and fried perfectly. Son's French Dip was humungous, and the au jus was tasty. I joked that he probably wouldn't be able to finish it. But he did, gratefully. His salt and pepper fries were also done perfectly. Another person ordered the fish & chips as well and loved it. Another ordered the grouper sandwich. She thinks she may have had just as much fish on her sandwich as we had on our meals. She loved the sauce on it. The fifth in our party totally downed his cheeseburger, which looked excellently made. The only problem we had was that our calamari was very slow in coming out of the kitchen. The waitress came back a few times to apologize and had told us that things were a little crazy since their head chef/owner had just died the day (or so) before. But someone else came out with our calamari later, and also apologized for the wait. As I said the calamari was awesome. Our meals came out just as we finished our appetizer. We decided that we'll be back again when we come back to town to the Meijer Gardens. 5 thumbs up.
(4)
Mat B.
Twisted Rooster was fun and refreshing in both food and atmosphere. I ate their twisted mac+cheese which has a bunch of vegetables and chicken. I topped it off with an New Holland Full Circle, one of the many Michigan beers they serve there. Our server explained that they are using as many products from Michigan as they can like their meats and breads and fruits and veggies. That seems like a pretty good idea. Anyway, they are pretty creative and the atmosphere is nice, even though it can get a little loud because it is kind of busy. I don't think you will be disappointed at this newest gem of a restaurant in GR.
(5)
Dan W.
Ate here last night and had a Thai salad and whitefish panko. The salad was reasonably good but the dressing was overly sweet with little tart flavor. The fish was overcooked and the coating had a heavy "fried" flavor. Service was good. Overall it was an OK place but nothing better than any other American place Ive been.
(2)
Kathryn L.
Definitely disappointed based on some of the reviews I had read. Went for an early Sat night dinner. Not too many tables taken, so it appeared that there were lots of seating options. We were led to a table in a far back corner. My view was a combination of the mens' rest room, as I watched the door open and close throughout my meal - and the soda machine. Next, remember I said that the place was virtually empty when we arrived? Well, there was indeed a party of 14 celebrating some sort of shower, and yes, we were seated about 8 feet from them. Seriously? In their defense, I should have requested that we be moved, but thought we'd roll the dice for the rest of the experience. Perhaps the food would more than make up for our dismal table location. Sadly, it did not. The fish tacos, which are listed on the menu as a "Twisted Favorite" were simply okay. (Unfortunately for TR, I had eaten baja fish tacos earlier in the week at our local Bonefish Grill, which were fabulous and believe it or not, less expensive than TR's, but that's another review). TR's fish tacos were noticeably salty (it was the batter), but otherwise a bit bland, with the exception of an occasional jalapeno that made it into the mix. Served with tortilla chips, we were charged an additional charge for the pico de gallo for dipping the chips. Really? I would also recommend that they come up with a fish taco recipe that does not use battered/fried fish. I know that it was Founder's Pale Ale battered fish and all, but it was disappointingly nothing special. On a positive note, the Roo Burger my husband ordered (we shared a bit) was prepared as ordered (medium), and with the exception of a slightly stale bun, it was fine. I've heard about some great Happy Hour deals offered at TR, but I think that with all of the truly good dining options that we finally have in GR and the surrounding communities, I sadly won't be returning to Twisted Rooster.
(2)
Nicci B.
Awesome menu! The twisted Mac is but the desert sampler is by far amazing. The salads are also wonderful with amazing concoctions that are paired wonderfully. The dry rub ribs are covered thickly with the rub seasoning which is a bit overwhelming. Service is extremely slow but worth the wait. It is wonderful that they use Michigan suppliers for their products and they have Faygo in a bottle, that alone is awesome!
(4)
Jennifer T.
Came for lunch and got the bison burger. The server was helpful in suggesting to get it at least "medium" because of how lean the meat was. The burger was also huge, and the fries were flavorful and good texture. They have a whole section for mac n cheese, so I decided to just get a side, and it was so yummy! Big fan of their commitment for supporting local michigan produce too.
(4)
Judy C.
The menu features a number of twisted dishes including mac n cheese and a pretty good turkey burger with apple. I would go back, but my only complaint is the a/c. I've moved both times I've visited because it was too cold - once to the bar area and once away from the bar area to a warmer location. Either they need to regulate the tempurature better or lessen the force of the fans.
(4)
kim d.
After a concert downtown, a group of us met at the Twisted Rooster bar. We chose this place to meet for two reasons-their hotel was nearby and we had read on the twisted rooster website about the Late Night Happy Hour from 10:00-close (midnight) which featured $2 beers and discounted appetizers. We met at 10:30 and bellied up to the bar. The place was pretty much empty except for us. We all ordered a Founders and proceded to talk about the show. Within a few minutes, the bartender, a young girl, put the bill in front of us and I noticed it was over $6 per beer! When I asked about happy hour, she proceeded to tell us about the one earlier in the day. I asked "Isn't it happy hour now?" And she just looked at me like I was speaking a different language. There didn't seem to be any manager type person around to figure out what the problem was, so we just finished our beers, (over)paid, and left. The irony is that there are so many wonderful places we could have went downtown-including the Founders Brewery itself, that would have been a better atmosphere and cheaper. Never again!
(1)
Kristen M.
Service was a little slow but the lobster mac & cheese made up for it! Would def go back for one of their macs. Everyone thought their meal was good. They also commit to the Mitt, where each recipe includes at least one Michigan product and the majority of beers and liquors are also from the Mitt!
(5)
Harry C.
I'd like to review this restaurant, but my wife and I have attempted to eat here several times, only to be told that the wait for a table was over an hour. I am aware that a long wait may be indicative of a good restaurant, but at a certain point, aren't reservations a good idea? Customers paying for a sitter don't wish to while away an hour sitting in a crowded restaurant lobby. (does anyone waiting for a table ever look like they're having fun?) Taking a reservation allows customers to plan their evening, and management to better gauge their clientele. I'll never understand a dining establishment that doesn't take reservations.
(1)
Moon J.
Twisted Rooster offers a very unique menu to the traditional plates you would look for at a restaurant. I would describe the restaurant as a more hip/better tasting Applebees, perfect for lunch, dinner, or a drink after work. The bar is nice, with a lot of drinks to offer with a number of nice televisions. The restaurant always seems busy to me, probably because the restaurant offers great food with good value. My favorite on the menu is the fish taco w/ caesar side salad. I'm never disappointed when I dine here. The only negative is sometimes there is a wait and parking lot is pretty full. That being said, the atmosphere and food is what makes me a frequent customer. The service is fairly attentive. So, if you're looking for something different without getting too crazy, and are in the NE side of Grand Rapids check it out. You won't be disappointed.
(4)
David M.
Took me a while to get here, but I am glad we went. Nice spot. Nice mood. Very good food. I think the value is in line with the quality and quantity of the food served. The Calamari Appetizer may not please some palates as it really has a strong seafood/squid flavor, which I find wonderful. It is served with baby spinach and a toasted butter sauce. Not the common dish served and over breaded in most spots which is typical. If you like seafood you will like this. Had a couple of their draft IPA's and found those good as well. I ordered the Kobe Steak, my wife the Fish Taco's (3). My confusion is that they call it "Kobe" as that is a region in Japan, the actual beef is called Wagu. If, indeed it was Wagu ($13.00) it is one of the best buys around. Very tender and cook properly. Roasted asparagus and mashed potatoes rounded out the meal. This is another establishment sourcing local products which I very much applaud. I really like that trend from a food as well as economic standpoint. Our waiter was very good and made the meal even better. There are three of these in Michigan, the other two on the east side of the state. Let me also add that when I walked around the place I noticed many plates of Mac and Cheese. Some appetizer, some entree. I would recommend you not leave without at least doing the appetizer VERY GOOD. On my list of spots I would do again. Good job kids.
(4)
susan e.
I was really looking forward to visiting Twisted Rooster, and I love the fact that they use local food. We went with a group of six on a Wednesday night. They were pretty busy, but we were seated right away and had a very friendly waitress. I ordered the mini Twisted House Salad, the Grilled Flatbread Veggie Wrap with fruit, and shared a piece of Red Velvet Cake. The salad was delicious, especially the croutons and dressing. The wrap was kind of blah, except that it tasted like someone had added a tablespoon of salt to it. It didn't have very many vegetables in it either - it was mostly bread (wrap). The bread was nice and thick though, like naan bread. The cake was also pretty mediocre. It didn't have cream cheese frosting as the menu stated, but had a weird whipped cream type frosting. No nuts either. My tablemates had lobster mac & cheese (liked), bison burger ( two liked), grilled chicken sandwich (said it was only "ok", but liked the salt and pepper fries), and the turkey burger (she liked it, but the menu said it was stuffed with granny smith apples and it wasn't stuffed with anything). I'd give TR another try, but I was really disappointed.
(2)
Martin J.
Love the Twisted Mac & Cheese. And the Roo Burger on Wednsdays.
(5)
Jen B.
Great menu, love that they try to focus on Michigan grown foods and beverages. Nice atmosphere, you can barely tell it used to be a chain restaurant. LOTS of Michigan taps (15 or so) and only 2 non-MI, and I LOVE that they carry Vander Mill Cider. Decent drink specials, too.
(4)
Matt B.
This is another place I had on my list to try. First point of interest: We walk in and right in front of me is the Holy Grail of bloody mary mixes. Sitting in a display case. McClure's. DO NOT PASS UP THIS MIX! If you can find it, buy it! Anyway, I ask the host if I can buy a bottle. He disappears and returns with a "no." Ok, we sit in the bar area. I like the bar area. It is inviting, tv's to watch and is comfortable. Our server comes up, tells us about the specials, gets our drink order and app order and disappears. I stew on this bloody mix. I WANT A BOTTLE. Well, our server brings back the app, waffle fry nachos. Small plate, perfect for two people! Not an overloaded dinner plate that should only feed Andre the Giant. It was delicious! The jalapenos were fresh, the sauce was good, the chicken was tender. I ordered a burger for a meal and it was your run of the mill burger. Nothing special. Well, the end of our meal was approaching and I was not going to leave without a bottle of the mix. I ask our server what I had to do, short of murder for a bottle. He grabs his manager, she came up and told me where they order it from and lets me buy a bottle. Awesome. That's what I'm talking about. We shall return.
(4)
Miss P.
We got there just in time before the lunch hour rush, gets busy in there! The place is very clean, atmosphere businessy, music choice was awesome (Beatles, ACDC lol), service was excellent, but best of all, the burger! I had the turkey stuffed eith Granny Smith Apple, tastes much better than that sounds, with brie ($8)!!. Came with a cup of fruit very delicious. Husband had thr spicy hot burger ($11), aeoli & jalapeno & bacon which was amazing too. They were HUGE you can definitely share. Long islands were perfect. Just might make the trip up just for one more taste! Thank you Twisted Rooster!!
(5)
Jenna P.
Not the greatest food for the price. I could go to Applebee's next door. Try again...
(2)
Brooke N.
We live very close to "The Roo" and have been regulars since they opened. Food is fresh, and traditional with a slight creative flare. Best fish tacos in town, awesome mac and cheese, and the half price apps during the week until 6 can make for a meal in themselves. I recommend this place to everyone local, and we often bring friends from out of town for a taste of GR
(4)
Jim J.
The service was very slowwwww. Our server, Nate, was absolutely terrible. Never around when you wanted him and seemed as if he wasn't trained or given the 1 hour training and the rest was OTJ. He couldn't answer any of the questions we had about the items on the menu. He forgot to put our drink order in and then had the balls to tell us that the bar was extremely busy. We could see the bar from where we were sitting and the bartender wasn't that busy. The lobster mac's & cheese was awesome as ususal but the Jalepeno dip was luke warm and wasn't properley heated because there was a hunk of unmelted cheese in the middle. It'll be awhile before we go back.
(3)
Teddy B.
Im a fan of tater tots. So when I saw that they had tater tots as an app with bleu cheese? Game over son. They're unique don't get me wrong but food is just standard apple-bennegin-style.
(3)
Jeremy J.
The decor is subdued rock and wood tones with ornamental, curving ironwork adding eclectic character. At the back wall is a long, curvy bar with comfortable seating. Many, many pretty waitresses scurry back and forth in their sleek black shirts. There is a definite air of sensual playfulness, which carries through to the menu. Local microbrews mingle with creative cocktails, while tried-and-true dishes have been tinkered with. I order a Schmohz Valley City Cream Ale to sip while I try to decipher the food choices. We are curious about the Steak Cut Calamari. I know what steak cut french fries look like, but calamari? Our waiter informs us these are simply the long tentacles, dredged in milk, then flash fried. Sounds good to me! They appear from the kitchen in very short order, a low bowl heaped with spinach leaves, diced red peppers, and golden fried calamari drenched in a ginger butter sauce. The tentacles are tender and creamy. At first I think the breading might be a little too oily from the deep fryer, but Juliet suggests it is the butter sauce. Either way, these are incredibly delicious calamari, almost matching the quality I've experienced on the west coast. For my main dish, I decide to try the Sweet and Spicy Reuben paired with Dark Horse Crooked Tree IPA. I'm a Reuben aficionado and I usually try it first if offered on the menu. We also decide to split the Crispy Tater Tots dressed in blue cheese. The stacked Reuben arrives skewered with bamboo spikes. I take a bite into the very lightly toasted rye bread, my taste buds blasted with the salty goodness of the shaved pastrami, followed by the spicy cabbage slaw, then the soothing sweetness of the crispy noodles and smoked Gouda. Wow. My salt-and-pepper french fries and the Gorgonzola smothered tater tots all play second fiddle to this new-found love. Even though I'm only a few bites in, I can tell this is one of the best Reubens I've ever had. Sadly, I don't have room to finish the sandwich but our waiter brings a take-home container (hooray!) before delivering the bill. Although our adventure at Twisted Rooster is last-minute, it is sometimes the unplanned excursions which reap the most reward. I will not hesitate to stop here again and try some new dishes, no matter how twisted.
(4)
Ashley B.
Serving only Michigan local foods! One of the best places in GR!
(5)
Kimberly W.
I have been to Twisted Rooster a few times and the food is always decent, but every time I go the staff seems miserable. The menu is a step above somewhere like an Applebee's or TGIFridays, but in general it is basic all-American food. It's is a decent place for groups if the kitchen doesn't get backed up.
(3)
Meri G.
Unless you go for the beer, give this place a miss. Should have been able to tell by the bad smell of fried food outside. Fries soggy, sandwich was unremarkable and totally unseasoned and bland. Waiter didn't know what beer was on tap and was way more interested in watching sports than he was in taking care of the customer.
(2)
Lyndsay L.
Twisted Rooster has a phenomenal happy hour, dubbed "Twisted Hour". All drafts are $2 and appetizers $3, 3-6pm. Definitely recommend this spot!
(4)
John P.
What a disappointment. I had lunch here today. I dined alone and decided to sit at the bar. The bar tender, Alex, seemed preoccupied with a distributor and with phone calls, he talked to me a total of 4 times. Awful service. I ordered the sweet and spicy Reuben. It was awful, just not to my taste, but a poor concept at a sandwich whose corned beef was past its prime. When my food arrived it was just plopped down in front of me, there was no silverware or napkin and someone other than my server had to bring me some. I ate half my sandwich and pushed my plate away, but it was 10 minutes before my server made his way over, he never once asked me how my food was. He just grabbed my card and and ran it through. On the way out I at least expected the hostess to bid me a good day or ask me how things were,but she said nothing as I passed by. The manager also appeared to be standing there, but he was busy talking on the phone. The level of service is beyond awful and wouldn't pass muster at a dairy queen. It's obvious the people running this establishment have no handle on customer service as it relates to dining. Some of the worst service I have encountered while dining in West Michigan. This place sorely needs a general manager who has a clue. The food was terrible, but it could just be my taste, but I wont be back to find out due to the terrible service, just pathetic! I will not recommend this restaurant to anyone and will vociferously advise against anyone I know ever dining there.
(1)
K J.
Went with a party of 6 + a toddler at dinner rush... on a Saturday... during homecoming season. Despite all that, we were seated well before the estimated time. Our server asked if we wanted to place my son's order right away, which was thoughtful. Three of our other six entrees had something wrong with them, though nothing major (forgotten mayo, wrong vegetable, wrong dressing). Crab-stuffed salmon was almost inedibly salty. Prices very reasonable for quality of food. Restaurant tries to use local vendors/products as much as possible. We will likely return at least once.
(3)
Jasmine P.
Any place that has awesome cocktails will always be a fan of mine! The MIM (Made in Michigan) cocktails caught my eye because I like to support local things. I had a cucumber cocktail (Not sure what the name was officially) and it was delicious! Unfortunately by the time we got there (an hour before closing) they were only serving appetizers. This turned out to be fine because their appetizers are jam packed with goodness. We had the Southwest Nachos (waffle fries!!), fried pickles (LOVE the sauce), and Calamari. A little too much fried food for one evening (for this southern girl?) but all in all it hit the right spot! Mat, our server, was amazing. Knew when to pop up and was very friendly. Def recommend!
(4)
April B.
I've only tried two things at Twisted Rooster. The pasta I had the first time was just so-so - it had a good taste, but was kind of cold. The last two times I've gone have been during lunch, though, and the sandwich I had both times is so yummy. 5-Cheese Grilled Cheese is definitely worth a try! The only complaint about it is that the side of spicy tomato sauce was different both times - once kind of creamy and not spicy and the second time much better - more "tomato-y" and spicier. I also think the prices are pretty good, and the service has always been very friendly.
(4)
Mark D.
Went here with the wife and kids recently, as it was touted as a good family place by a friend. Of course they sat us in the bar, which was crowded and loud (and it was a Monday). Must be good drink specials. Anyway, the loudness wasn't a problem because our kids are kinda loud sometimes too. The waitress was a little inattentive, but not egregiously so. The food was good. I had the Twisted Rooster, which was quite large. My wife had the fish tacos, which she thought were good, but she felt the fried fish in them was reminiscent of frozen food from Meijer. And my son (age 8) thought his meal was too small. We like the local Michigan angle, and I'm sure we'll be back. Might have to try something else on the menu before this place becomes a must visit.
(3)
M C.
I keep trying to like this place. I mean when you commit to local fresh ingredients you think it's gotta be good. But it just isn't. I've been there a handful of times and each time it seems the service gets a little worse, and then food gets a little more mediocre. Last time I was in, our wine glasses were dirty (lipstick smudges on the glass). The server explained that it was because it gets so busy during happy hour that they have to quickly wash the glasses by hand. (um, not a good explanation and made me stare at every piece of tableware to see what else was "quickly washed by hand"). Our service was incredibly slow until we actually got our food, then we felt the server just wanted us out of there as she came back every five minutes to see what she could clear. I wanted to like this place, but I think I'm done.
(2)
Corry M.
Ever have one of those moments when you walk into a place because it seems like it will be pretty good, then you look at the menu and go, "oh crap, I don't want any of this." Similar to a trip to Chili's in being confused as to why you came in the first place, only way pricier and smaller portions. I like the attempt at a classy, contemporary atmosphere while playing generic top 40 hip hop in the background. I could see the confusion on the old couple next to us when Jay-Z and Kanye West's 'Otis' started playing. Someone told us we HAD to have the twisted mac n cheese, so we bit the bullit on $11.50 mac n cheese that ended up being about the size of a child's appetizer. We had our "cheap" martini that almost made us gag and immediately went next door for half off appetizers and long island/margaritas at Applebees.
(1)
Rene' J.
Two girlfriends and myself visited the Twisted Rooster for the first time last week, on a Wednesday at noon. They were busy, but the service was still very good. The menu was great...lots of choices. Local beer and wine, a full bar and the food we ordered did not disappoint! It was delicious. We even split dessert, a red velvet cake. Pretty dining area, fun atmosphere. We really loved it and will return for sure!
(4)
Dan D.
Worth a try but overall unimpressive. Service was a little slow and confused. Local beer selection was nice. We had the pale ale fish and chips and the bison burger. Batter on fish was a little too crumbly but the homemade tarter sauce was good. Bison burger was good and done to a perfect medium.
(3)
Chris S.
We recently visited Twisted Rooster for dinner. We arrived around 5:30 on a Saturday night and it was pretty busy. We waited at the bar and had drinks. About 10 min. later we had a table. Our waitress was very nice and helpful with the menu. We ordered an appetizer and if came very fast. Dinner came soon after and then we topped it off with desert. Overall the food was very good. We like the fact that they use local ingredients and businesses to supply their food. We will defiantly be back and would recommend it to family and friends.
(4)
Laura L.
I was visiting in town and my mom read a good review in the paper so we decided to check out the new hip place to go. I was extremely underwhelmed with everything from the service to the food. First our waiter was less than friendly and informed us there were no lemons for our iced tea(ice tea was brewed too strong and almost tasted fountain, but told it was fresh brewed) anyway, not a big deal, but really who runs out of things at a restaurant? My mom had the chipotle salad and I had the eggplant sandwich. The salad was covered in lots of dressing so if you don't care for soggy, ask for on the side. The salad overall was way too salty, fried garbonzo beans really? are we in the south? The chicken was the tastiest thing in the salad. As for the eggplant sandwich, i was disappointed in the butter they put on the bread, the smothering in cream cheese and the poor quality brie that was used. Best part were the grilled veggies and the tomato basil dressing which i asked for on the side. FYI- ladies across from us had lemons in their drinks and they sat down 20 min after us. Will never go back and will not recommend to friends.
(2)
Mary R.
Great service. Great food! My husband and I both had a side house salad which was delicious. We loved the combination of greens, with fresh apple slices and strawberries, not to mention the fabulous cinnamon croutons! He loved the bison burger with bacon and cheese. I had the fish tacos which were fantastic - so much better than I can get at a seafood restaurant in Virginia Beach. Try the Twisted Rooster, you won't regret it!
(5)
Aaron B.
Exceeded my expectations. Loved the fact everything is michigan based. I also loved that they take menu items you have had before and add that element of WOW to them. I had the fish tacos and they were unbelieveable. My wife had the twisted mac n cheese and it was also very good. I saw at least 5 other things on the menu that I have to go back and try. Jalepeno cheese dip appetizer was brought out asap as well as two Bells Oktoberfest beers which were ice cold and delicious. Decor was simple yet had a cozy feel to it. Loved the bar area. Waitresses seemed very knowledgeable, nice, and pretty. We got there early on a Saturday 4:30 pm and were promply seated with our three children. The place was busy but not packed. By the time we left an hour later there was a line 20 people deep to get in. I suggest reservations or calling ahead for availability. We WILL be back for more!!!!
(5)
Merryl M.
We visited here for the first time when it was my birthday. The food is good but its too pricey. The location is fine, but the inside is not so family friendly. Very busy restaurant too.
(3)
Tammy W.
Meh. The food was just ok (a bit overpriced) and the service seemed much too slow. It was also FREEZING in the restaurant. I was actually relieved to go back outside into the sweltering heat because I was miserable inside. Probably won't go back.
(3)
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Address :1600 E Beltline Ave NE
Grand Rapids, MI, 49525
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Grant P.
Can I say this is my new favorite restaurant in Grand Rapids? Favorite restaurant and Grand Rapids are not usually two thoughts I combine into a sentence. But after visiting TR, I am eating my words. No, I shouldn't do that -- I should go back here and eat something here instead. The menu is full of interesting combinations that have A LOT going on. So much that my wife and I decided to split a couple of entrees because everything sounded too good. Our server was quick, friendly and helpful. Prices are average, but I probably would've paid a bit more because the food was so interesting. If I had to complain about everything it's the portion sizes because they're a little here and there. What my wife ordered was a bit small in comparison to the giant order of mac 'n cheese that was placed before me. It was fine, since we shared, but had I ordered her entree alone (beef wellington) I might've been a little hungry.
(5)Ctny S.
If I could give this place an "eh" rating, I would. I went here for dinner this past weekend. Before that, I was here a couple times about 4 years ago without feeling like I wanted to try it again. But, my husband hasn't ever been, and I thought I'd give it another shot since we both like their sister restaurant Crooked Goose. I wish we went somewhere else. My husband got the Duke Wellington which he said was just ok-nothing great. For the price and what you get is rediculous. Yes, I get it, it's a filet. What size filet though? The menu doesn't say. It looks like you get a side of baby potatoes. Nope, only 1 sliced into 4 tiny pieces and barely any asparagus. He said the beer barrel bourbon cream sauce was overpowering and he didn't really care for it. He was less than impressed. I got the Kobe sizzler steak, which I was happy with to be honest. The mashed garlic potatoes were a little on the salty side though. But the service... horrible. The waitress was either overworked or just plain forgetful, or both. She forgot extra bread, our waters, blamed the kitchen for taking too long on the Duke Wellington, and we waited a good 15 minutes for her to pick-up our check. Also, the table that sat behind us and across from us got their food at the same time as us, and we were there at least 30 minutes prior. I think it's time I say goodbye to TR for good. This place looks good on the inside with updated decor and the menu looks like it will be fantastic, but what comes out of the kitchen is a letdown and mediocre at best, as well as the service.
(2)Patra G.
My local comfort food haven! I love that everything is made from scratch supporting our local Econ ..nice one Twisted ;) I came here back in the day and thought it was an "old people" joint and overpriced, but it's so not! Mixed crowd, great servers, lots of food and drink options. I don't eat meat and there are mainly meat options which put me off at first, but they have been able to custom make me items or take the meat out no problem. Always excellent service, great portions and a fantastic happy hour and daily specials. I wouldn't call it a healthy restaurant, but definitely Midwestern comfort food at its best!
(5)Courtney P.
Have been here many times and this will be our last. From a poor waitstaff to our food being brought out in the wrong order, I was half way through my main coarse when she remembered I ordered a salad..by the time I got the salad I was completely full. Then did not even offer to take the salad off the bill. Food was good but not enough to sit in the mildew smell to eat it. May have to do take- out if we ever decide on this place again.
(1)Adam G.
Typically my favorite restaurant but tonight it was poor. The fries and tater tots tasted like burned, old grease. The waitress was friendly but left us sit for a long time after our appetizers while she helped a large table. The mac and cheese that came as an add on to my meal was not nearly worth the 4.60, it was puny,cold and had barely any cheese. I will try again soon be other time and hopefully give a better review.
(2)Austin E.
This place is great using all Michigan grown and caught food but it just isnt my type of food needless to say i did enjoy the Lobster mac n cheese
(4)Beverly W.
Best mac & cheese I have ever had and the service was great! We also had the "limited time only" blueberry cobbler. The cobbler was good, but not my favorite. Would I go back? Absolutely!
(4)Adrianne B.
Twisted Rooster on a Saturday night...I must be a glutton for punishment, eh? Actually, the wait was average (15 mins), the service was prompt, and the food was good. I had the Reuben and loved it. I tried some of my daughter's Mac & cheese, ordered from the children's menu, and was unimpressed...it lacked flavor and basic seasoning and I thanked my lucky stars that I didn't order the adult menu version for myself! We were seated off to the right of the bar in a corner and soon surrounded by a 30 top party for a birthday. Our food order went in and came out by the time the big party was ordering. Our check drop and cash out was delayed because our server was slammed with running the party's food orders. As we left, I saw how crowded the bar was and made a mental note to avoid it on weekend evenings. I'd love to return for a weekday lunch and delve further into their menu.
(3)Sheryl R.
Attended Happy Hour for apps and drinks with a couple friends. We all had simple drinks like beer and soda so no problem there. Sadly the appetizers were sub par. Previously had gone and food is inconsistent. Our simple apps were barely warm and without much taste. All 4 of us were disappointed! It's been a mixed bag with each visit so unlikely to go there again.
(2)Brenna L.
The fish tacos are amazing. The best thing on their menu next to the campfire cheesecake dessert. I always recommend those two! The rest of their menu is pretty average. Kitchen can be a little slow, but we always order my daughter a side mac and cheese as soon as we sit down.
(4)GR G.
This is one of the few chains that I like. They try to feature locally sourced food and put a unique twist on it. When they first opened, their Twisted Mac was the talk. Tried it way back whenand unfortunately wasn't too impressed. Wanting to give this place another shot, visited twice in a week. There is no lunch menu on Sat, so tried the Ramenito. This is a spicy chicken burrito with cooked ramen. Was sorta soggy and felt like they just sprayed Sriacha as the sauce. Their tater tots were good though. Came back during the week for dinner. They have happy hour apps - everything was half price. We tried just about everyone. Tots and the quesadillas were the best. For dinner, tried the ribs. With the large order, you can split the order between wet and dry ribs. Insider tips: go for happy hour and load up. Their sister restaurant, Crooked Goose, has a much better menu and the food tastes a bit better over there.
(3)Amy M.
It seems like every time I come here I am with a large group. I have been seated at the exact same table every single time. So weird. And the speaker above the table is CRAZY loud. The fried pickles w/ mustard sauce are good, blue cheese tater tots tasty, burgers are good, some of my friends love the different mac & cheese they have to offer. They do not have honey mustard sauce for dipping which I think is a bit odd. But whatev. Not a place I ever think to go on my own but I can find something on the menu to eat. Nothing negative to say, it just doesn't WOW me.
(3)Matt N.
Food was average to decent. Had dinner with another couple and our toddler son. Food took over an hour to arrive, seems like the kitchen lost our ticket. We were offered an appetizer as a concession, tried the Dorito bacon (not impressive). A six dollar appetizer was all that was offered after a two hour dinner, trying to keep a toddler satisfied and entertained. Fish tacos and zip chicken were very good, mac and cheese was good, Cajun carbonara was unimpressive. Beer Specials were very good. Don't know if we'll be going back, mostly due to the lack of ownership on the part of management for a party of four who had never been to the restaurant before. For a first experience, we had high hopes but were ultimately disappointed.
(1)Jeremy P.
Fried pickles=3 Big chunks of pickles are not my thing. These should be pickle chips and the they'd be a 5. Taste good but overpowering. Ribs=3 Good but nothing I'd crave. Wouldn't order again. Pork lollipops=4 Again good but nothing is crave. Would order again. Kids meals=5 Hamburger and Mac and cheese were excellent. Kids loved the food. Salad side was big portion. Service=4 Good server although at times she'd disappear but I think she had a few tables spread out in restaurant. Overall=3.8 so ill round up to 4.
(4)Kelli S.
Akin to Red robin but with a much more interesting menu, majority of items have a "twist" similar to asian fusion food. I got the East meets west BLT and it was exactly what I was looking for! Definitely a large portion and can be easily split with someone. I also tasked the baja fish tacos which were decent. Service was average. Prices are $$ but you get what you pay for and you could split alot of the dishes. If in the area again it's not somewhere I would be dying to go back, but it's a great location right next to the Meijer Gardens so that is pretty convenient.
(3)Kirt S.
Wow, awesome food and great service! Love all of the Michigan grown or brewed foods and drinks! Had to wait til next time for the whitefish, they were out Settled for the fish & chips. Started with nachos which were really waffle fries with nacho toppings. So Good! My fish, awesome. Breading was great, waffle fries tasted good, but a little old. My wife enjoyed her chicken and noodles dish! So yummy. Quick service, nice atmosphere, great food. We will be back!
(4)Heather J.
I love this place! I have only been a couple of times but I have never had a bad experience. The food is great and they have a wide selection of drinks. My only piece of advice is don't come here if you are in a hurry. They are usually pretty packed. Wait times for a table are not usually bad, but the whole process just takes a little longer. But hey, that's a great way to catch up with friends you haven't seen in awhile.
(5)Saniya S.
I tried the siracha salmon burger which I did not like, I know it's fish but I felt like it was too fishy so I got the white fish entree instead which I thought was under seasoned. I also tried my friend's Mac and cheese which I also thought was under seasoned. I thought it would also be creamy but it was really dry. Overall, the food was average and I don't think I would go again. The concept of commit to the mitt is great, I just wished the food was flavorful.
(2)Jenny H.
So glad this place is open in Grand Rapids! I got a big Twisted House salad for lunch which had a mix of blue cheese, apples strawberries, dries cherries and pecans. I also a cup of their soup. I came back after dinner to get some dessert and am glad they're open late! The campfire cheesecake was good because it had a large roasted marshmallow on top, and the caramel apple pudding was pretty good too.
(3)Cole V.
Twisted Rooster is one of my go to spots to bring new people. The food is that of a normal chain restaurant done a little different with mostly all Michigan based product. Normally pretty packed for dinner with a wait, but I think that brings to the fact that it's a great place. They have plenty of Michigan beer, wine and even soda (faygo bottles). Good happy hour prices, and normally pretty good service. My favorite are the doctor pepper pork lollipops.
(4)Neely A.
Not the best for large groups. The only time I would recommend coming is for happy hour before 6. If you order Mac and cheese, get a bottle of Sriracha!
(1)Annie N.
This is one of my FAVORITE restaurants. It's great to bring friends and family here that are from out of town because it has a very casual atmosphere where they will be comfortable. They have great food too! It's all reasonably priced. My favorite to get there is the Kobe Steak - it's only $14! And it's delicious! Also, for an appetizer I like the Southwest Nachos. They also have a good selection of beer. It changes a lot but they always have local Michigan beers (Bells, Founders, etc.)
(5)Ashley J.
I normally give great reviews of places but the service here really got to me.. The food was alright, not many options for a vegetarian. Their food was good though. My friends who went with me go there often for their specials but this was my first time. Our waitress was not very attentive and rarely checked on us. Someone else brought the food out and didn't even bring my boyfriends food out. When we finally got her attention she goes back there and comes back with his food and says "it was just sitting under the heat lamp, here you go" that was when my mood starting turning sour. When she brought the bill I asked for some compensation for waiting quite awhile for his food, she wasn't happy but took $4 off. Then when she came back with corrected bill I told her I didn't appreciate her telling us that his food was just sitting there and how bad her attitude was. She then started arguing with me and trying to defend herself but my friends backed me up. She then angrily stormed away. I told her I will be speaking with her manager. I brought everything to her managers attention including her throwing our bill at us. She was fine but I hope that server was reprimanded for her horrible attitude. I haven't gone back since.
(2)Todd C.
Great food, and terrific service!!!! Abby was super nice. Definitely try the Penut Butter and Jelly Tiramisu!
(5)Molly R.
I went to the Twisted Rooster for the first time recently. Overall, I was very pleased. When we arrived the parking lot was pretty full. We had a group of 8 and we were a little concerned about getting a table, but only had to wait 5-10 min. At first when we came in, it seemed a bit loud in the dining room. When we got to our table at the far side of the restaurant I found that I was mistaken and it was easy for us to have a conversation within our big group. Our server was attentive and friendly. She was very patient as we sat and took up her table for quite some time waiting for everyone to arrive and then visiting afterwards. The have a great selection of beers, with something for everyone. Since they are known for the Mac & Cheese, I had to give it a try. I went with the Wild Mushroom-Truffle Mac & Cheese. As expected it was great! Others in the group ordered, Twisted Mac & Cheese, Brushetta Pasta and Southwest Nachos. Everyone had good things to say about the food they ordered. After dinner, two desserts were ordered to share; The Campfire Cheesecake and Tiwsted Chocolate desserts. These were also delicious! I noticed on their dessert menu that they also have Faygo floats. One day I'll have to go back and try a Rock & Rye Float.
(4)Jenna J.
Delicious salads! I think their food is getting better! Only critique I have is that our server would disappear for long periods of time and we had no idea where he went. Lol.
(4)Jeremy C.
I went this past Saturday night with my wife. She got the turkey burger and I got the bison burger. Both were pretty bland, but the turkey burger exceedingly so. I have never tasted a burger, turkey or otherwise, with such a shocking absence of flavor. The whole meal would have been entirely forgettable, except that a few hours after eating it I started to feel incredibly sick. I then spent a good portion of my Sunday... well, no need to spell it out for you. I called the restaurant to warn them that they might have some tainted meat, but the manager I spoke to brushed off my concerns and insisted that I must have gotten sick elsewhere. "Foodborne illnesses take at least twelve hours for symptoms to show," she said. Sorry, Dr. Denial, but that's simply not true. I should know; I have the Internet. There was one bright spot to the meal, and that was our server. She was exceedingly nice, and took my wife's turkey burger off the bill when it was clear from my wife's reaction that she did not enjoy it. We did not ask for it to be removed from the bill and did not expect it, but we certainly appreciated that our server went above and beyond to give us good service. If only the rest of the experience had been that good.
(1)Sarah G.
Came back to GR after moving to TX, couldn't wait to go to Twisted Rooster again. Service was horrible! Waitress could hardly be bothered to talk to us, let alone check on us. Had planned on sitting around after we ate and drinking while watching the games. Couldn't wait to get out of there. Lost sales with us. That being said food was ok.
(2)Bulldog B.
Wanted to give the Rooster a second try from our first experience. Food was delicious, I had the Twisted Mac and my wife had the Quesadilla. Flavor was excellent, however both were ice cold. Once the food was dropped off, the server did not return until our drinks were empty and our food was all consumed. I don't understand how this place is so busy. I marveled to myself how it is possible with such consistent poor food/service. I wish I could say better.
(2)Ryan M.
My first time at Twisted Rooster and I was less than impressed. Our waitress was kind and friendly, but the kitchen was slow getting our appetizer and food out. The fried calamari app was pretty delicious but my bacon and egg burger was one of the worst I've had. I ordered it medium rare and received it very well done. The bun was far too small for the burger and in a matter of minutes I had a soupy sloppy mess. A burger from a coney would have been more enjoyable. My friends chicken and veggie plate was flavorful from the couple small bites I had. Lastly, the place was freezing, I wore my winter coat the whole time.
(2)Robert P.
I love twisted rooster. Great food from scratch, lots locally sourced, and at a good price! If anything comes out of the kitchen unsatisfactory, simply alert your server and they will take care of you. I once had a burger slightly over cooked, and was going to eat it anyways, but our server saw the meat was over cooked and she had a fresh one made super fast.
(5)Farah R.
Went to Grand Rapids to visit a friend. I love a great selection of craft beer, wine and good food, so he brought me to the Twisted Rooster. Now I have to say, their beer list is amazing. They have a wide variety of choices and their beer flights were the perfect way to go. They also informed me that all the beers are on a frequent rotation - a huge plus. To go with my drinks, I got the Twisted Tator Tots and the Fish Tacos. Both were delicious. I wasn't expecting the tacos to be so good, but the fish was fried perfectly I literally could have eaten the sauce they used on the tacos by the bucket. The prices blew me away. I wasn't expecting so much food/alcohol to amount to only $50 (for the both of us). I suppose I am a bit prejudices, living in LA, where each beer is upwards of $7. The beer/alcohol prices at this place were how much we would pay during happy hour in LA. If you want a great, twisted-American food dining experience, this is definitely the place to go.
(4)Michelle G.
My husband and I are in Grand Rapids on a contract. We have acquired a list of restaurants that are a must. Twisted Rooster is on that list. So after a movie, we stopped in for dinner. On first arriving I must say the decor was a bit more brown that I would prefer, however it works with the art very well. We were seated in the "bar" area, which was pretty spacious. There are plenty of televisions for entertainment. Our waitress was Chelsi. She arrived at our table and asked us if we had ever been to TR. No was our reply and she got the biggest grin on her face. So she proceeded to explain Twisted Rooster. We were so delighted to find out that they buys their meats,bread and veggies local when able. Which seems to be a good majority of the time. She made suggestions of favorites that she has either tried herself or from guests favorites. She explained that were 13 Michigan Brewed beers on tap. That was awesome for me since I love, love, love Michigan beer. I had the Founders Rubaeus. This was perfectly sweet and tart. The best way for me to describe is literally the wine of beers. If you like sweet red wine with a bit of crisp tart, this is the beer to try. Great raspberry notes throughout. I ordered the fish tacos based on Chelsi's recommendation. I must say they were pretty good. The slaw as delicious and crunchy with a bit of spice. The fish in the taco was good, however the pieces in my tacos were not plentiful to really taste them. I had to eat the taco without the shell, to understand the fish flavor. Which I might add is very good. Now if only there were more in the taco. My husband had the Detroit Zip sauce Sirloin. OMG!!! This was fantastic!!! I totally wished I had ordered that instead of the tacos. The Zip sauce is like a butter soy sauce and when its added to a hot seared steak, it makes taste like heaven in your mouth. He also ordered a Cesar side salad (which they don't carry on the menu, but he is a diabetic so Chelsi made that happen). Just another reason she is so fantastic and deserved the tip we left for her. We will go back again and sit in her section. Our first experience here was terrific and we will definitely be back and tell everyone we know all about Twisted Rooster. Thank you.
(4)Gayle B.
Another great trip to twisted rooster, you need to try the fish tacos they are great. Warm friendly service and a great meal.
(5)Adam B.
Love the interesting spin on the menu items here! Burgers are great, steaks are decent (although my Kobe sizzler as a bit tough today.)
(4)Timothy B.
Went to the Twisted Rooster to see if it lived up to the hype. Overall, I would say it held up fairly well. Upon arriving the parking lot was filled with cars so I was worried we weren't going to get a table. However, the wait was only about 15 minutes. They have a good selection of craft brews (they had 18 total brews on tap, most of them craft brews) and they were reasonably priced. I got a few and they were good. I also ordered the house mac and cheese (the specialty mac and cheese) and it was great! I liked the sauce and the veggies that were included. I appreciate their commitment to Michigan food and brews. The downsides were that the restaurant was very loud and packed so it was hard to carry on a conversation. The televisions are also located in poor spots, as some have lights hanging down directly in front of them and some are far away from the booths. The service was great however we did get our bill before the waitress even asked if we wanted another brew. Based on my experience, this restaurant merits another visit.
(4)Kristen H.
The location for Twister Rooster couldn't be much better. They offer a good selection of local beers and have a wide variety on their menu. We ordered the pork lollipops, the Twisted House Salad, and Calamari. The food was good, the salad and the pork lollipops were awesome! The calamari was a little cold but the taste was good... The service was great. If you are looking for a restaurant to sit and chat at this might not be the best option it is a little loud and hard to hear people at your table.
(4)Jennifer D.
Food was very good. The southwest chicken fries nachos were awesome. My husband and I shared the bacon & egg burger and the southwest chicken carbonara. Both were good. The burger definitely outshined the carbonara. The carbonara needed a little more spice. The highlight of our experience was our waiter, Jason. He was very knowledgeable and very attentive. We will definitely come back. Thank you.
(4)Charlie W.
Great service, good food. We had the Soda Pop Pork Lollipop, Ribs. Chicken carbon, Caribbean Jerk Salmon Salad... Everything was good, the lobster mac and cheese was great. Pretty crowded on Friday evening
(4)John S.
Just meh. Food we had wasn't bad, just seemed like it was all frozen, fried, and put on a plate with a few decorations. It says they use "local" ingredients in some food items but none of it tasted or appeared local to me. If you like chain restaurants you will love this place. If not, I'd recommend trying somewhere else.
(2)EB H.
For all the people out there who rated this place 1 star need to give the twisted rooster a second chance. I love the twisted rooster soo much. anybody who goes there needs to try the diablo burger or the buffalo mac n cheese! it's so yummy! when I last went there, they said it would be a 30-40 minute wait. Not at all! we were at a table in about two minutes! our server was very friendly and the manger came and checked on us too! the twisted rooster is my all time favorite restaurant! *if you want to order the buffalo mac n cheese, ask your server for it because they don't show it on the menu anymore but they will still make it for you.*
(5)Lacey D.
Strike three and you're out! I have been to Twisted Rooster quite a few times. I have taken my manager and colleagues here before so when family came into town last time I told them that we had to go to the Twisted Rooster. I love their unique food as well as their support for local vendors. The first time we went in I was rubbed the wrong way right off the bat. It was a Friday night but later so there wasn't a wait at all. When my family and I walked in we stood in front of the hostess stand for a good few minutes without any acknowledgement at all. Now I have worked as a server for many years and I'm sorry but it is just common human courtesy to say hello and acknowledge a person's presence when they enter, especially if you made eye contact. Instead we just got ignored until we were literally 2 inches from the hostess stand and asked if we could have a table for 5 please. We ran into issues with a person's debit card being left so it turns out that I had to return the very next day. You see my mom is from out of town and her debit card was left so she called right away but as soon as she said she was from out of town the manager pretty much implied that she was SOL. Being that she lives hours away she requested if they could possibly overnight it. The manager was appalled that she would even suggest that THEY pay for an overnight cost and instead offered to cut up the debit card instead and my mom could just simply get a new one! I'm sorry but I'm sure you have taken many meals off of customer meals so you are telling me that you could not spend the $5 to overnight a card and keep a loyal customer and I have never heard of places cutting up cards simply so they do not have to deal! Anyways I had to drive over and get the card and when I arrived AGAIN the hostess did not acknowledge me and when she finally did I politely asked to speak with the manager because he was expecting me. She rudely asked me what it was about (none of her business) so I politely asked if she was a manager as well. She wasn't so really she was just being nosy. After they finally got the manager I could see the rude hostess talking and pointing right at me! Next time at least be a little discrete if you are talking about someone. I got the card and the manager said "Here's some giftcards because your mom said you should get something for your inconvenience!" Well thanks haha I'm glad my mom has my back and you didn't just offer out of the goodness of your heart! Third time...went back only because we got giftcards. I am not kidding, the hostess ignored us again! Service was a little better but felt like we were an inconvenience. Maybe its just because this place has left a bad taste in my mouth. Food was amazing and I'm sad that I won't be bringing my manager back here anytime soon but in the end service can make or break a place! Good luck
(1)Crystal R.
As a party of 10 trying to get reservations for a Saturday night, we were gracious that Twisted Rooster was able to get us in. It was prom night somewhere, lots of dresses and large parties for that as well. The food menu is basically the same as my Belleville location, so food was good as expected. The service was great, and the owner/manager was very accomodating.
(4)Damon L.
Finally made it to a Twisted Rooster - albeit the one almost 4 hours from my residence (literally there is one 10 minutes from my home). I was in GR on business and this was chosen for me to frequent. I actually was pleased since I had yet to experience it. I went with the Twisted Mac N Cheese - partly because of all the great reviews I had heard for the Mac and I wanted to get a little more added in (i.e. addition of chicken). I was a really pleased overall with the meal. It was very tasty and very nice for a lunch (not to heavy on the stomach). The individual I was with got the Sirloin (I believe) and it looked very appetizing as well. Of course I would like to go back and try additional dishes for a broadened perspective - but I felt the food was definitely up to par. The atmosphere was pleasant also. It was pretty busy for lunch period (I might have considered it more for an evening location on first thought) - so that gives you an idea of the restaurant quality. It was very crisp and modern as far as décor and certainly a clean restaurant. Very inviting and really felt like a happening place. I would certainly give this continued patronage based on this experience.
(4)Caroline H.
Twisted Rooster has a new menu and a fantastic Happy Hour! Happy Hour is M-F 3-6 and includes $2 beer and wells and $3 appetizers. The service is good, but I find myself having to ask for things instead of the bar staff asking me. There are daily specials that are all day.. ex. Mondays are Made In Michigan beers for $2. I've tried several different things on the menu. So far my faves include: Twisted House Salad, Side of Macaroni and cheese (not the full size as they are not as creamy), Kobe steak, and the French dip is amazing. One thing you can always do is order sides instead of something full, amazing!
(4)Jan D.
My husband and I stopped for dinner. We won't do so again. The table was not clean, when I showed the hostess, she said she'd take care of it, but never came back. The server immediately wiped the table and took our order. My grouper sandwich was good but the tarter sauce was heavily applied. The fries were a combination of tasty and stale. My husband had the fish and chips. The waffle fries were also stale. The fish was overcooked and the breading was not good at all. We are normally pretty easily satisfied with food, but very disappointed tonight. We won't be back.
(2)Tami H.
Food okay and service terrible. We were in tonight and our fifteen minute wait was over a half hour, and then our food took forever. Our appetizer came after our main course and I never received the salad I ordered but was charged for it. Not acceptable.
(3)Tiffany L.
The twisted rooster never let's me down. Creative food from the mitten. Great drink selection too!
(4)John W.
I'd give zero stars if I could. My wife and I went here to get a bite to eat. Very busy, which isn't an issue, but the hostess was rude and disinterested the moment we began to speak. We finally were seated. We both ordered the roo hamburger as well as a beer for each of us. When we got our food I noticed that my burger was missing all of the toppings it was supposed to come with and the tots I ordered with were cold. My wife's burger (which she ordered medium well) was barely passable as rare, it was literally cold and pink. Plus that burger was also missing the toppings. We wanted to send the meals back but our server seemed "unavailable" as she was hanging by the bar. So in the meantime my wife decided to take a small side bite from her burger because she was starving. When she bit into the burger there was a SPIDER in the burger (a spider!!), which she spit out immediately after it was crawling in her mouth. We crushed the spider with one of the burgers buns. We flagged our server who seemed disinterested in what had just occurred and proceeded to offer us a new burger. At this point (as you can imagine) we no longer had an appetite and said no, we wanted to speak with the Manager. It took the Manager some time to come and find us (we watched as she went to two different tables before realizing we were the customers who had an issue/complaint). We showed her the spider, the uncooked burgers with no toppings and asked "what is going on?" She said they were having a tough night in the kitchen, basically throwing the staff under the bus, but didn't really apologize other than saying this shouldn't have happened. She offered us each another burger, which of course we declined again. She then said she would not charge us for the burgers. Next thing we know the server comes over and hands us a bill for the two beers we purchased with our meal. Not to be picky but my wife just almost ate a spider from a raw hamburger and you won't even pick up the entire tab?!?! Just thought that was very low class. We even got the general managers business card and emailed him our experience in the hopes that sharing this experience would help stop future issues like this from happening. We never got a response back. As you can imagine we will NEVER eat at this restaurant again.
(1)Val A.
Glad I didn't listen to reviews and just went based on a recommendation from a friend. I personally had a great dinner experience here and the food hit the spot! I had the tator tots with bleu cheese as an appetizer (yum!) and the beer battered chicken fingers with fries for my entree (also yum!). The waitress wasn't amazing but she was average. She didn't mess up anything, but I've experienced friendlier waitresses/waiters. The price of food was reasonable. I'd come here again next time I'm in town.
(5)Matt W.
I've been here a few times in the past but never wrote a review, the fish tacos that everyone talks are about are truly the star of the menu as far as I'm concerned. Paired with the great craft beer choices make me a happy individual. Service is good, especially at the bar.
(3)Brittany B.
The food here was average at best. There wasn't much to offer for me that day. We both were greeted by unenthusiastic hosts who sat us and walked away. Our server must have been new because the wait time in between drink refills and taking our food order was a little too long. We decided to grab some appetizers, but instantly regretted the choices we made. Not only did our server not check back on us, neither did the manager that walked past us a few times. We found it odd that when our server dropped off our check, she didn't notice the fact that we hardly touched our food. She set boxes down and the check and away she went again. We would go back to have a quick drink, but it won't be in the near future.
(2)Sean B.
There is a reason why there are so many negative reviews for this place - horrible service and poor management. The food is fine, once you get it - so if you are OK with waiting an hour and maybe missing a show, by all means. Our most recent visit, the restaurant was busy, but not full, and we waited nearly 60 minutes for kids' chicken strips, a salad, and chicken wings. When we approached the manager, who was just hanging out at the hostess stand, on the way out, she shrugged her shoulders and said, "We're kinda busy." Sorry, there is no excuse for poor service and as a manager you should never offer one. Your job is to make sure your customers are happy and if they are not, fix it.
(1)Adam G.
We often go to the Twisted Rooster after work. I really like their happy hour prices on appetizers. $3 for their calamari is a steal. Its the softest and most tender I have ever had. Always cooked perfectly. The southwest nachos use waffle fries instead of chips. Those are also something I get to share too. Its a little pricey for lunch so we don't go very often for that. Happy hour is where its at.
(4)Aaron O.
This place was not at all as I expected. Te noise level was seven out of ten I don't care to raise my voice when talking to the person sitting next to me. The service staff was friendly but appeared to be lacking direction from management. It is obvious someone has spent a lot of money on this place is beautiful inside just needs tightening up. Food was ok I ordered calamari as an appetizer, it came as five pieces that looked like Gortons fish sticks. I asked the server about it and she said the cut them like that. Never worked with squid that was thick as my thumb? Only one sauce available with them. Not going to rush back to this place
(2)Jay A.
The food was really good! Got the hot pepper cheese dip and it was amazing, then we got fish tacos and the twisted burger, both excellent dishes. Next time I would add tomato and lettuce to the burger, but otherwise it was great!
(5)Linda H.
I do not understand why this place is always crowded. I go because my husband likes it. I will not go any longer. I cannot pay those kind of prices for lackluster service by people that don't understand what customer service is (such as giving me a place setting when I sit at the bar and order lunch and don't act like it was a big deal that I asked for it). The wild mushroom bisque had seriously 3 little slices of mushroom in it. The rest was just a very thin sherry tasting milky broth. Their burger Wednesday is a Roo burger for $3.99...no fries, no cheese, no extras. If you ask for those it all adds up. So it really isn't a special is it? God bless who ever owns this place because they keep it packed with overpriced bland tasting food. They're crying all the way to the bank.
(2)Kris L.
Great Michigan beer selection, underwhelming comfort-food based menu. Must be very popular with suburbanites, as the wait was 45 mins at 5:00 PM...we opted for the bar and avoided the wait altogether.
(3)Ron T.
Brought the family here for dinner. We sat down and were quickly offered menus. From 3-6pm M-F the offer $2.00 drafts and $3.00 appetizers. This is a great deal! The food is decent. Unfortunately I cannot give the review more stars because the service was lousy. Slow wait staff and did not get the order right. When she forgot my son's entree she said she would be right back but she never even came back with his food and we had to wait to catch the hostess and have her send our waitress back. Drinks took way too long. The place is good but tonight the service was lousy.
(3)Erika S.
Went there with family while on a visit. Went on a weekend for lunch so it was busy but still no excuse for our wait. Our server was less than attentive and we ended up waiting over 45 min for our meals. Actually, the rest of the family waited about 45 min and my husband and I waited over an hour. By the time our food came out everyone else was finishing up and our meals were luke warm. I asked for some extra dipping sauce to try to salvage my cold food and 20 min later I got it. The food was ok. We liked the idea that they use many locally sourced ingredients and the food was somewhat unique. Other members of our party said that the experience that day was not typical, but sadly that is the only experience we had and likely will ever have.
(2)Lorie S.
Great selection of Michigan craft beer. The mushroom soup is delicious! Although both mine and my dinner partners weren't crazy about our entrées. Our server was great! Very knowledgeable and friendly!
(3)Ian P.
I always love Twisted Rooster. It's great that they make as much of the food local as possible. The calamari fried in Founder's Pale Ale was awesome as are any of their "signature" dishes. We have had great service both times going. First time was for my fiance's birthday and they messed up on the appetizer. When we informed our server, she apologized and quickly replaced it without being asked. Soon after, the manager came to us and apologized. We were then informed that for birthdays, you must sign up for their emails to get a dessert, but they gave us a free one anyway. And lo and behold, when the bill came, appetizer and drinks were comped. This was far beyond what was expected and greatly appreciated. Love this place!
(5)Judith C.
House Salad - yum! Lobster mac and cheese - WOW! Wish I lived in GR, would come here often. Franchise in San Diego? Good service. What more can you ask for? (my sister liked her mushroom, truffle mac and cheese)
(5)Austin B.
Slow service and it wasn't even busy. More than half the tables were open for a late lunch. My wife and I like to come here each year when we visit from out of state although I don't think we will next year. The food is overall four out of five. Its the service and atmosphere that really bring the place down.
(2)Anthony P.
Was greeted and seated for lunch immediately! Good! Quickly offered a drink and took my order! Good. The order was a little slow in arriving. Ordered Asian chicken salad. It was good. Nice dressing. Tart. Waitress followed up at appropriate times. good. A good semi-fast food restaurant. While the food is good it isn't anything you'd drive out of your way for. The service was good. Plenty of TVs. The ambience was standard Applebee's type of ambience.
(3)Anna R.
Routinely have lunch catered at my office from twisted rooster. Meal most often brought is the twisted macaroni and cheese which is fantastic. The twisted house salad - with it's wonderful cherry maple dressing, Michigan apples and cherries -- is also amazing.
(4)J N.
Went for lunch with my daughter one day - got her chicken fingers that were huge and she loved them :). I got the pulled pork sandwich. Super tasty! Would love to go back and try some beer and apps.
(4)Monkean M.
Went there for the first time a few weeks ago. I had a really good appetizer (hot wings) and great burger (bacon and egg burger). Everything is local, but not necessarily organic. That's fine and I don't feel like they are trying to claim to be organic. We had a little wait, but it was worth it. Waiter was personable and attentive.
(4)Tori V.
Although known for their mac and cheese, they have the best fish tacos ever and absolutely amazing calamari!
(4)MaryKaye S.
First time here and loved it. So many options, waitress was happy to exchange my fries for veggies. Loved the twisted rooster salad.
(5)Erin G.
Had a great time at the Twisted Rooster while on vacation. Cheap beer, cheap appetizers, but both were high quality. $2 for craft brew is amazing. Smoked salmon app was great!
(4)Matthew C.
Overall, I'm definitely a fan of the Twisted Rooster. The menu is hit-or-miss, which is to be expected, since it changes seasonally. Some things are just "okay", and others are pretty amazing. I can't help but feel that the names tend to scare people away from some of the dishes, and towards the more conservative, but bland fare. One of the best appetizers is the Southwest "Nachos". Actually waffle-cut fries, with fresh pico, fresh sliced jalepeno (a mild variatal) and a southwest cheese sauce... they're always great. My wife and I split an order, ever time. They're quite filling, and that means I usually take home half of my entre, and eat it for lunch at work the next day. My wife reports that the "Twisted House Salad" is fantastic. It's a savor blend of sweet (apples and cranberries, and cinnamon croutons) and salty. The dressing is great as well, and she likes it with chicken on top. They do a pretty good job with the grilled chicken breast, here, and you'll find it in many dishes. It has a smoky flavor, and is generally juicy. It can be hit-or-miss, however. The fish tacos were disappointing, in my opinion, but my wife likes them. The Soda Pop Pork Lolipops: Pork ribs cut in a manner similar to rack of lamp, with a really delicious sweet and tangy "Dr. Pepper BBQ Sauce", are definitely a hit. So are the ribs, both styles. The Dry Rub is crusty, salty, and herbal, the wet are sweet and tangy. Both were falling off the bone. They are famous for their Mac and Cheese. The Lobster Mac is pretty good. The Buffalo Mac is exactly what you'd expect. In general, a good Mac and Cheese, with a significant enough portion (looks small on a big plate, but is very filling) that I usually take home enough for lunch the next day. I'm 6'3", and 260lbs. I don't have a small appetite. I've heard that the burgers are pretty good. I've never tried them. They have a Tuesday special on burgers ($3 or something), which attracts my friends. I have a feeling they do a decent job. The service can be hit-or-miss. Some of the staff is very attentive and helpful. Other staff seem to just disappear. That can be quite frustrating. Not frustrating enough to keep me from coming back, but definitely something to improve. It's super busy on Friday and Saturday nights. I recommend going for lunch, or on a weeknight. The decor is nice enough, and the lighting is low (my wife can't stand bright lights). The music is an odd mix of greatest hits and top 40. I crack up, because they keep bringing in this guy who does (I must admit very good) acoustic covers of... greatest hits and top 40. It's just funny to hear them turn off the radio, and then have a guy launch into exactly the same playlist, but on a guitar. They have TVs everywhere, with sports. That's distracting for me, but it's not a sports bar, by any means. All in all, a great local alternative to your standard "Tchotchke's" establishment (Applebees, Chilis, Fridays, and so forth).
(4)Ricky C.
To put it simply their food was great and the hospitality was very good. I will definitely be back.
(4)John L.
Eaten at the twist many times, first review. You gotta try the fish taco's. Really very good as is the twisted house salad. Basically that's all I've ever had here but there so good that I never try anything else. Others in my party have and always report great things. Servers are very friendly and the place is generally quite busy, maybe too busy! A reservation is probably in order if you don't want to wait. I will keep going back and maybe try something else, the french dip looks pretty good.
(4)Chelsea M.
It's always good to find a restaurant that bases it's menu on local ingredients and purchases from and supports other Michigan business. I went with my sister to check out The Twisted Rooster because she had been raving about it! Turns out she has pretty good taste. The food was good, fresh, a fair price, and a reasonable sized portion. The only disappointment were the beers on tap. A pale ale and IPA were the only two Michigan beers on draft. We both ordered the "Fresh Pasta". The tomatoes were great and croutons crisp. Yum! I'd really like to head back another time to get another menu option a shot.
(3)Mitch A.
Came here at about 5:30 on a tuesday after a day at Meijer Gardens. Comfortable, family friendly, busy, Their $3 appetizer happy hour was great opportunity to introduce one of our party to calamari. We ordered 2 between the 5 of us, and every last speck was gone. It comes like a salad with spinach and a dressing. The calamari was done absolutely perfectly. Not as crispy as we expected, but super tender, not at all chewy, and flavorful. Won over another squid convert. The fish and chips (grouper) was excellent. Again, not as crispy as I would have expected, but totally delish. Moist and not greasy. Waffle fries were super crispy and fried perfectly. Son's French Dip was humungous, and the au jus was tasty. I joked that he probably wouldn't be able to finish it. But he did, gratefully. His salt and pepper fries were also done perfectly. Another person ordered the fish & chips as well and loved it. Another ordered the grouper sandwich. She thinks she may have had just as much fish on her sandwich as we had on our meals. She loved the sauce on it. The fifth in our party totally downed his cheeseburger, which looked excellently made. The only problem we had was that our calamari was very slow in coming out of the kitchen. The waitress came back a few times to apologize and had told us that things were a little crazy since their head chef/owner had just died the day (or so) before. But someone else came out with our calamari later, and also apologized for the wait. As I said the calamari was awesome. Our meals came out just as we finished our appetizer. We decided that we'll be back again when we come back to town to the Meijer Gardens. 5 thumbs up.
(4)Mat B.
Twisted Rooster was fun and refreshing in both food and atmosphere. I ate their twisted mac+cheese which has a bunch of vegetables and chicken. I topped it off with an New Holland Full Circle, one of the many Michigan beers they serve there. Our server explained that they are using as many products from Michigan as they can like their meats and breads and fruits and veggies. That seems like a pretty good idea. Anyway, they are pretty creative and the atmosphere is nice, even though it can get a little loud because it is kind of busy. I don't think you will be disappointed at this newest gem of a restaurant in GR.
(5)Dan W.
Ate here last night and had a Thai salad and whitefish panko. The salad was reasonably good but the dressing was overly sweet with little tart flavor. The fish was overcooked and the coating had a heavy "fried" flavor. Service was good. Overall it was an OK place but nothing better than any other American place Ive been.
(2)Kathryn L.
Definitely disappointed based on some of the reviews I had read. Went for an early Sat night dinner. Not too many tables taken, so it appeared that there were lots of seating options. We were led to a table in a far back corner. My view was a combination of the mens' rest room, as I watched the door open and close throughout my meal - and the soda machine. Next, remember I said that the place was virtually empty when we arrived? Well, there was indeed a party of 14 celebrating some sort of shower, and yes, we were seated about 8 feet from them. Seriously? In their defense, I should have requested that we be moved, but thought we'd roll the dice for the rest of the experience. Perhaps the food would more than make up for our dismal table location. Sadly, it did not. The fish tacos, which are listed on the menu as a "Twisted Favorite" were simply okay. (Unfortunately for TR, I had eaten baja fish tacos earlier in the week at our local Bonefish Grill, which were fabulous and believe it or not, less expensive than TR's, but that's another review). TR's fish tacos were noticeably salty (it was the batter), but otherwise a bit bland, with the exception of an occasional jalapeno that made it into the mix. Served with tortilla chips, we were charged an additional charge for the pico de gallo for dipping the chips. Really? I would also recommend that they come up with a fish taco recipe that does not use battered/fried fish. I know that it was Founder's Pale Ale battered fish and all, but it was disappointingly nothing special. On a positive note, the Roo Burger my husband ordered (we shared a bit) was prepared as ordered (medium), and with the exception of a slightly stale bun, it was fine. I've heard about some great Happy Hour deals offered at TR, but I think that with all of the truly good dining options that we finally have in GR and the surrounding communities, I sadly won't be returning to Twisted Rooster.
(2)Nicci B.
Awesome menu! The twisted Mac is but the desert sampler is by far amazing. The salads are also wonderful with amazing concoctions that are paired wonderfully. The dry rub ribs are covered thickly with the rub seasoning which is a bit overwhelming. Service is extremely slow but worth the wait. It is wonderful that they use Michigan suppliers for their products and they have Faygo in a bottle, that alone is awesome!
(4)Jennifer T.
Came for lunch and got the bison burger. The server was helpful in suggesting to get it at least "medium" because of how lean the meat was. The burger was also huge, and the fries were flavorful and good texture. They have a whole section for mac n cheese, so I decided to just get a side, and it was so yummy! Big fan of their commitment for supporting local michigan produce too.
(4)Judy C.
The menu features a number of twisted dishes including mac n cheese and a pretty good turkey burger with apple. I would go back, but my only complaint is the a/c. I've moved both times I've visited because it was too cold - once to the bar area and once away from the bar area to a warmer location. Either they need to regulate the tempurature better or lessen the force of the fans.
(4)kim d.
After a concert downtown, a group of us met at the Twisted Rooster bar. We chose this place to meet for two reasons-their hotel was nearby and we had read on the twisted rooster website about the Late Night Happy Hour from 10:00-close (midnight) which featured $2 beers and discounted appetizers. We met at 10:30 and bellied up to the bar. The place was pretty much empty except for us. We all ordered a Founders and proceded to talk about the show. Within a few minutes, the bartender, a young girl, put the bill in front of us and I noticed it was over $6 per beer! When I asked about happy hour, she proceeded to tell us about the one earlier in the day. I asked "Isn't it happy hour now?" And she just looked at me like I was speaking a different language. There didn't seem to be any manager type person around to figure out what the problem was, so we just finished our beers, (over)paid, and left. The irony is that there are so many wonderful places we could have went downtown-including the Founders Brewery itself, that would have been a better atmosphere and cheaper. Never again!
(1)Kristen M.
Service was a little slow but the lobster mac & cheese made up for it! Would def go back for one of their macs. Everyone thought their meal was good. They also commit to the Mitt, where each recipe includes at least one Michigan product and the majority of beers and liquors are also from the Mitt!
(5)Harry C.
I'd like to review this restaurant, but my wife and I have attempted to eat here several times, only to be told that the wait for a table was over an hour. I am aware that a long wait may be indicative of a good restaurant, but at a certain point, aren't reservations a good idea? Customers paying for a sitter don't wish to while away an hour sitting in a crowded restaurant lobby. (does anyone waiting for a table ever look like they're having fun?) Taking a reservation allows customers to plan their evening, and management to better gauge their clientele. I'll never understand a dining establishment that doesn't take reservations.
(1)Moon J.
Twisted Rooster offers a very unique menu to the traditional plates you would look for at a restaurant. I would describe the restaurant as a more hip/better tasting Applebees, perfect for lunch, dinner, or a drink after work. The bar is nice, with a lot of drinks to offer with a number of nice televisions. The restaurant always seems busy to me, probably because the restaurant offers great food with good value. My favorite on the menu is the fish taco w/ caesar side salad. I'm never disappointed when I dine here. The only negative is sometimes there is a wait and parking lot is pretty full. That being said, the atmosphere and food is what makes me a frequent customer. The service is fairly attentive. So, if you're looking for something different without getting too crazy, and are in the NE side of Grand Rapids check it out. You won't be disappointed.
(4)David M.
Took me a while to get here, but I am glad we went. Nice spot. Nice mood. Very good food. I think the value is in line with the quality and quantity of the food served. The Calamari Appetizer may not please some palates as it really has a strong seafood/squid flavor, which I find wonderful. It is served with baby spinach and a toasted butter sauce. Not the common dish served and over breaded in most spots which is typical. If you like seafood you will like this. Had a couple of their draft IPA's and found those good as well. I ordered the Kobe Steak, my wife the Fish Taco's (3). My confusion is that they call it "Kobe" as that is a region in Japan, the actual beef is called Wagu. If, indeed it was Wagu ($13.00) it is one of the best buys around. Very tender and cook properly. Roasted asparagus and mashed potatoes rounded out the meal. This is another establishment sourcing local products which I very much applaud. I really like that trend from a food as well as economic standpoint. Our waiter was very good and made the meal even better. There are three of these in Michigan, the other two on the east side of the state. Let me also add that when I walked around the place I noticed many plates of Mac and Cheese. Some appetizer, some entree. I would recommend you not leave without at least doing the appetizer VERY GOOD. On my list of spots I would do again. Good job kids.
(4)susan e.
I was really looking forward to visiting Twisted Rooster, and I love the fact that they use local food. We went with a group of six on a Wednesday night. They were pretty busy, but we were seated right away and had a very friendly waitress. I ordered the mini Twisted House Salad, the Grilled Flatbread Veggie Wrap with fruit, and shared a piece of Red Velvet Cake. The salad was delicious, especially the croutons and dressing. The wrap was kind of blah, except that it tasted like someone had added a tablespoon of salt to it. It didn't have very many vegetables in it either - it was mostly bread (wrap). The bread was nice and thick though, like naan bread. The cake was also pretty mediocre. It didn't have cream cheese frosting as the menu stated, but had a weird whipped cream type frosting. No nuts either. My tablemates had lobster mac & cheese (liked), bison burger ( two liked), grilled chicken sandwich (said it was only "ok", but liked the salt and pepper fries), and the turkey burger (she liked it, but the menu said it was stuffed with granny smith apples and it wasn't stuffed with anything). I'd give TR another try, but I was really disappointed.
(2)Martin J.
Love the Twisted Mac & Cheese. And the Roo Burger on Wednsdays.
(5)Jen B.
Great menu, love that they try to focus on Michigan grown foods and beverages. Nice atmosphere, you can barely tell it used to be a chain restaurant. LOTS of Michigan taps (15 or so) and only 2 non-MI, and I LOVE that they carry Vander Mill Cider. Decent drink specials, too.
(4)Matt B.
This is another place I had on my list to try. First point of interest: We walk in and right in front of me is the Holy Grail of bloody mary mixes. Sitting in a display case. McClure's. DO NOT PASS UP THIS MIX! If you can find it, buy it! Anyway, I ask the host if I can buy a bottle. He disappears and returns with a "no." Ok, we sit in the bar area. I like the bar area. It is inviting, tv's to watch and is comfortable. Our server comes up, tells us about the specials, gets our drink order and app order and disappears. I stew on this bloody mix. I WANT A BOTTLE. Well, our server brings back the app, waffle fry nachos. Small plate, perfect for two people! Not an overloaded dinner plate that should only feed Andre the Giant. It was delicious! The jalapenos were fresh, the sauce was good, the chicken was tender. I ordered a burger for a meal and it was your run of the mill burger. Nothing special. Well, the end of our meal was approaching and I was not going to leave without a bottle of the mix. I ask our server what I had to do, short of murder for a bottle. He grabs his manager, she came up and told me where they order it from and lets me buy a bottle. Awesome. That's what I'm talking about. We shall return.
(4)Miss P.
We got there just in time before the lunch hour rush, gets busy in there! The place is very clean, atmosphere businessy, music choice was awesome (Beatles, ACDC lol), service was excellent, but best of all, the burger! I had the turkey stuffed eith Granny Smith Apple, tastes much better than that sounds, with brie ($8)!!. Came with a cup of fruit very delicious. Husband had thr spicy hot burger ($11), aeoli & jalapeno & bacon which was amazing too. They were HUGE you can definitely share. Long islands were perfect. Just might make the trip up just for one more taste! Thank you Twisted Rooster!!
(5)Jenna P.
Not the greatest food for the price. I could go to Applebee's next door. Try again...
(2)Brooke N.
We live very close to "The Roo" and have been regulars since they opened. Food is fresh, and traditional with a slight creative flare. Best fish tacos in town, awesome mac and cheese, and the half price apps during the week until 6 can make for a meal in themselves. I recommend this place to everyone local, and we often bring friends from out of town for a taste of GR
(4)Jim J.
The service was very slowwwww. Our server, Nate, was absolutely terrible. Never around when you wanted him and seemed as if he wasn't trained or given the 1 hour training and the rest was OTJ. He couldn't answer any of the questions we had about the items on the menu. He forgot to put our drink order in and then had the balls to tell us that the bar was extremely busy. We could see the bar from where we were sitting and the bartender wasn't that busy. The lobster mac's & cheese was awesome as ususal but the Jalepeno dip was luke warm and wasn't properley heated because there was a hunk of unmelted cheese in the middle. It'll be awhile before we go back.
(3)Teddy B.
Im a fan of tater tots. So when I saw that they had tater tots as an app with bleu cheese? Game over son. They're unique don't get me wrong but food is just standard apple-bennegin-style.
(3)Jeremy J.
The decor is subdued rock and wood tones with ornamental, curving ironwork adding eclectic character. At the back wall is a long, curvy bar with comfortable seating. Many, many pretty waitresses scurry back and forth in their sleek black shirts. There is a definite air of sensual playfulness, which carries through to the menu. Local microbrews mingle with creative cocktails, while tried-and-true dishes have been tinkered with. I order a Schmohz Valley City Cream Ale to sip while I try to decipher the food choices. We are curious about the Steak Cut Calamari. I know what steak cut french fries look like, but calamari? Our waiter informs us these are simply the long tentacles, dredged in milk, then flash fried. Sounds good to me! They appear from the kitchen in very short order, a low bowl heaped with spinach leaves, diced red peppers, and golden fried calamari drenched in a ginger butter sauce. The tentacles are tender and creamy. At first I think the breading might be a little too oily from the deep fryer, but Juliet suggests it is the butter sauce. Either way, these are incredibly delicious calamari, almost matching the quality I've experienced on the west coast. For my main dish, I decide to try the Sweet and Spicy Reuben paired with Dark Horse Crooked Tree IPA. I'm a Reuben aficionado and I usually try it first if offered on the menu. We also decide to split the Crispy Tater Tots dressed in blue cheese. The stacked Reuben arrives skewered with bamboo spikes. I take a bite into the very lightly toasted rye bread, my taste buds blasted with the salty goodness of the shaved pastrami, followed by the spicy cabbage slaw, then the soothing sweetness of the crispy noodles and smoked Gouda. Wow. My salt-and-pepper french fries and the Gorgonzola smothered tater tots all play second fiddle to this new-found love. Even though I'm only a few bites in, I can tell this is one of the best Reubens I've ever had. Sadly, I don't have room to finish the sandwich but our waiter brings a take-home container (hooray!) before delivering the bill. Although our adventure at Twisted Rooster is last-minute, it is sometimes the unplanned excursions which reap the most reward. I will not hesitate to stop here again and try some new dishes, no matter how twisted.
(4)Ashley B.
Serving only Michigan local foods! One of the best places in GR!
(5)Kimberly W.
I have been to Twisted Rooster a few times and the food is always decent, but every time I go the staff seems miserable. The menu is a step above somewhere like an Applebee's or TGIFridays, but in general it is basic all-American food. It's is a decent place for groups if the kitchen doesn't get backed up.
(3)Meri G.
Unless you go for the beer, give this place a miss. Should have been able to tell by the bad smell of fried food outside. Fries soggy, sandwich was unremarkable and totally unseasoned and bland. Waiter didn't know what beer was on tap and was way more interested in watching sports than he was in taking care of the customer.
(2)Lyndsay L.
Twisted Rooster has a phenomenal happy hour, dubbed "Twisted Hour". All drafts are $2 and appetizers $3, 3-6pm. Definitely recommend this spot!
(4)John P.
What a disappointment. I had lunch here today. I dined alone and decided to sit at the bar. The bar tender, Alex, seemed preoccupied with a distributor and with phone calls, he talked to me a total of 4 times. Awful service. I ordered the sweet and spicy Reuben. It was awful, just not to my taste, but a poor concept at a sandwich whose corned beef was past its prime. When my food arrived it was just plopped down in front of me, there was no silverware or napkin and someone other than my server had to bring me some. I ate half my sandwich and pushed my plate away, but it was 10 minutes before my server made his way over, he never once asked me how my food was. He just grabbed my card and and ran it through. On the way out I at least expected the hostess to bid me a good day or ask me how things were,but she said nothing as I passed by. The manager also appeared to be standing there, but he was busy talking on the phone. The level of service is beyond awful and wouldn't pass muster at a dairy queen. It's obvious the people running this establishment have no handle on customer service as it relates to dining. Some of the worst service I have encountered while dining in West Michigan. This place sorely needs a general manager who has a clue. The food was terrible, but it could just be my taste, but I wont be back to find out due to the terrible service, just pathetic! I will not recommend this restaurant to anyone and will vociferously advise against anyone I know ever dining there.
(1)K J.
Went with a party of 6 + a toddler at dinner rush... on a Saturday... during homecoming season. Despite all that, we were seated well before the estimated time. Our server asked if we wanted to place my son's order right away, which was thoughtful. Three of our other six entrees had something wrong with them, though nothing major (forgotten mayo, wrong vegetable, wrong dressing). Crab-stuffed salmon was almost inedibly salty. Prices very reasonable for quality of food. Restaurant tries to use local vendors/products as much as possible. We will likely return at least once.
(3)Jasmine P.
Any place that has awesome cocktails will always be a fan of mine! The MIM (Made in Michigan) cocktails caught my eye because I like to support local things. I had a cucumber cocktail (Not sure what the name was officially) and it was delicious! Unfortunately by the time we got there (an hour before closing) they were only serving appetizers. This turned out to be fine because their appetizers are jam packed with goodness. We had the Southwest Nachos (waffle fries!!), fried pickles (LOVE the sauce), and Calamari. A little too much fried food for one evening (for this southern girl?) but all in all it hit the right spot! Mat, our server, was amazing. Knew when to pop up and was very friendly. Def recommend!
(4)April B.
I've only tried two things at Twisted Rooster. The pasta I had the first time was just so-so - it had a good taste, but was kind of cold. The last two times I've gone have been during lunch, though, and the sandwich I had both times is so yummy. 5-Cheese Grilled Cheese is definitely worth a try! The only complaint about it is that the side of spicy tomato sauce was different both times - once kind of creamy and not spicy and the second time much better - more "tomato-y" and spicier. I also think the prices are pretty good, and the service has always been very friendly.
(4)Mark D.
Went here with the wife and kids recently, as it was touted as a good family place by a friend. Of course they sat us in the bar, which was crowded and loud (and it was a Monday). Must be good drink specials. Anyway, the loudness wasn't a problem because our kids are kinda loud sometimes too. The waitress was a little inattentive, but not egregiously so. The food was good. I had the Twisted Rooster, which was quite large. My wife had the fish tacos, which she thought were good, but she felt the fried fish in them was reminiscent of frozen food from Meijer. And my son (age 8) thought his meal was too small. We like the local Michigan angle, and I'm sure we'll be back. Might have to try something else on the menu before this place becomes a must visit.
(3)M C.
I keep trying to like this place. I mean when you commit to local fresh ingredients you think it's gotta be good. But it just isn't. I've been there a handful of times and each time it seems the service gets a little worse, and then food gets a little more mediocre. Last time I was in, our wine glasses were dirty (lipstick smudges on the glass). The server explained that it was because it gets so busy during happy hour that they have to quickly wash the glasses by hand. (um, not a good explanation and made me stare at every piece of tableware to see what else was "quickly washed by hand"). Our service was incredibly slow until we actually got our food, then we felt the server just wanted us out of there as she came back every five minutes to see what she could clear. I wanted to like this place, but I think I'm done.
(2)Corry M.
Ever have one of those moments when you walk into a place because it seems like it will be pretty good, then you look at the menu and go, "oh crap, I don't want any of this." Similar to a trip to Chili's in being confused as to why you came in the first place, only way pricier and smaller portions. I like the attempt at a classy, contemporary atmosphere while playing generic top 40 hip hop in the background. I could see the confusion on the old couple next to us when Jay-Z and Kanye West's 'Otis' started playing. Someone told us we HAD to have the twisted mac n cheese, so we bit the bullit on $11.50 mac n cheese that ended up being about the size of a child's appetizer. We had our "cheap" martini that almost made us gag and immediately went next door for half off appetizers and long island/margaritas at Applebees.
(1)Rene' J.
Two girlfriends and myself visited the Twisted Rooster for the first time last week, on a Wednesday at noon. They were busy, but the service was still very good. The menu was great...lots of choices. Local beer and wine, a full bar and the food we ordered did not disappoint! It was delicious. We even split dessert, a red velvet cake. Pretty dining area, fun atmosphere. We really loved it and will return for sure!
(4)Dan D.
Worth a try but overall unimpressive. Service was a little slow and confused. Local beer selection was nice. We had the pale ale fish and chips and the bison burger. Batter on fish was a little too crumbly but the homemade tarter sauce was good. Bison burger was good and done to a perfect medium.
(3)Chris S.
We recently visited Twisted Rooster for dinner. We arrived around 5:30 on a Saturday night and it was pretty busy. We waited at the bar and had drinks. About 10 min. later we had a table. Our waitress was very nice and helpful with the menu. We ordered an appetizer and if came very fast. Dinner came soon after and then we topped it off with desert. Overall the food was very good. We like the fact that they use local ingredients and businesses to supply their food. We will defiantly be back and would recommend it to family and friends.
(4)Laura L.
I was visiting in town and my mom read a good review in the paper so we decided to check out the new hip place to go. I was extremely underwhelmed with everything from the service to the food. First our waiter was less than friendly and informed us there were no lemons for our iced tea(ice tea was brewed too strong and almost tasted fountain, but told it was fresh brewed) anyway, not a big deal, but really who runs out of things at a restaurant? My mom had the chipotle salad and I had the eggplant sandwich. The salad was covered in lots of dressing so if you don't care for soggy, ask for on the side. The salad overall was way too salty, fried garbonzo beans really? are we in the south? The chicken was the tastiest thing in the salad. As for the eggplant sandwich, i was disappointed in the butter they put on the bread, the smothering in cream cheese and the poor quality brie that was used. Best part were the grilled veggies and the tomato basil dressing which i asked for on the side. FYI- ladies across from us had lemons in their drinks and they sat down 20 min after us. Will never go back and will not recommend to friends.
(2)Mary R.
Great service. Great food! My husband and I both had a side house salad which was delicious. We loved the combination of greens, with fresh apple slices and strawberries, not to mention the fabulous cinnamon croutons! He loved the bison burger with bacon and cheese. I had the fish tacos which were fantastic - so much better than I can get at a seafood restaurant in Virginia Beach. Try the Twisted Rooster, you won't regret it!
(5)Aaron B.
Exceeded my expectations. Loved the fact everything is michigan based. I also loved that they take menu items you have had before and add that element of WOW to them. I had the fish tacos and they were unbelieveable. My wife had the twisted mac n cheese and it was also very good. I saw at least 5 other things on the menu that I have to go back and try. Jalepeno cheese dip appetizer was brought out asap as well as two Bells Oktoberfest beers which were ice cold and delicious. Decor was simple yet had a cozy feel to it. Loved the bar area. Waitresses seemed very knowledgeable, nice, and pretty. We got there early on a Saturday 4:30 pm and were promply seated with our three children. The place was busy but not packed. By the time we left an hour later there was a line 20 people deep to get in. I suggest reservations or calling ahead for availability. We WILL be back for more!!!!
(5)Merryl M.
We visited here for the first time when it was my birthday. The food is good but its too pricey. The location is fine, but the inside is not so family friendly. Very busy restaurant too.
(3)Tammy W.
Meh. The food was just ok (a bit overpriced) and the service seemed much too slow. It was also FREEZING in the restaurant. I was actually relieved to go back outside into the sweltering heat because I was miserable inside. Probably won't go back.
(3)