I've lived in Holland for 3+ years now and Butch's is as nice as any fine dining in Grand Rapids. I honestly don't understand how people give a great review and still take away stars. The food is fabulous. The menu portions are much more appropriate for the prices with the new chef and new menu. I love the fact that they now source from local farms. Kyle is fantastic helping with wine choices. And...they have the best martini's around. Butch's is one of my first choices if we dine out and it's always the first choice when my girlfriends and I go out for a chocolate martini and dessert.
(5)
Joe J.
I struggle giving such a low review, on the first night we came to Holland this place came highly recommended and the food didn't disappoint. Flat-iron steak was incredible, as was the ribeye (if a little thin for the price), but the service itself was awful. After 10 minutes of sitting there staring I set a 10 minute timer on my phone for when we were just going to leave. Waitress came and took drink orders 45 seconds before we were just going to get up and go. Then she ran off to put them in but didn't take appetizer orders. Drinks arrived after 5 minutes, sort of, as they were delivered to the hostess and she held them for another 5 minutes while they waited for our server to show them who had which drink. Why not just ask us? Appetizers were ordered then, and she ran off before we could order entrees (again) and we played the waiting game to order food. All told it took over 2 hours to eat for 5 people, and as much as I enjoyed the conversation with my friends we would have preferred to do so at the beach. 4 stars for food, negative 2 for service.
(2)
Guido N.
Don't trust my Yelp though, just go there. We didn't have a reservation so we lingered on the block for a drink or two until they could fit us it. Butch was roving the floor and our server Annie (I think-hard to remember-we had a couple glasses of wine) was great. But the reason I'm writing this review was the food. The duck, the lamb, the garnishes, the chaat, the ceviche-everything popped. There's a new sheriff in town, and he's at Butch's. Not to put too fine a point on it, but this is the place.
(5)
Jeremy C.
I've tried Butch's twice for lunch now and both times have come away terribly disappointed. The first time I went I ordered 20 minutes ahead of time and when I arrived I still had to wait another 15 minutes for my food. This left me unhappy to begin with, but then the food itself was not particularly good. I figured I would give it a second chance, though, and several months later went back again for lunch. This time the food was ready when I arrived, which seemed like a good sign, but then the food itself was just aggressively bad. My group ordered two sandwiches and two orders of beef enchiladas. In addition to tasting bland, the sandwiches were overcooked and burnt around the edges, making them difficult and unpleasant to eat. The enchiladas were dry and tough as if they had been overcooked and then left out to age for a day or so. This is a business I would like to support, as they source many of their ingredients locally and I am strong advocate of locally-sourced food. However, the food quality is just not there.
(1)
Phil V.
Went to Butch's on recommendation of a couple of locals and was not disappointed. The restaurant is split into two halves, a more upscale dining room up front and pub with patio in the back. I ordered the Hanger Steak with red cabbage and mashed potatoes. It was great, skillfully cooked, superb balance of flavors and well presented. My guests duck and salmon were both apparently excellent. Butch's has a good wine selection and large cocktail menu, including the not usually found outside the UK Pimms. All in all if I'm ever in Holland again I'm eating at Butch's.
(4)
John S.
Pleasantly surprised at our recent first time dinner ... Butch's is very clean and tidy. The food is excellent. The grass-fed fillet cut like butter and my wife's free range chicken the same. Our server was professional, articulate and personable. The only blemish would be the wine list, which was so-so ... it could have ditched some of the foreign reds and whites and relied more on California. Otherwise, a great first impression.
(4)
Donna Y.
Exquisite! We dined at Butch's this evening and my husband and I had a 5 star experience. I had the crab cakes which were all crab..almost no filler. They were delicious. My husband had the vegetable lasagna which was outstanding. We shared the lava cake which tasted rich and homemade. The staff was friendly and professional. The atmosphere was classy without being snooty. The tables were fairly spaced so you didn't feel like you were on top of other diners. This was a flawless dining experience! We will definitely come back again when coming to Holland.
(5)
Steven D.
Butch's Restaurant in Holland features pasta and wine specials every Wednesday night throughout the winter. Don't forget to check out Butch's new winter menu too, which Chef Adam keeps fresh with seasonal goodness.
(4)
Sez A.
We were there for lunch. A wide selection of sandwiches. I got a three-cheese italian. Was ok. My husband got a Manhattan Transfer. Was ok i guess. Nothing special. Thrir tomato bisque was 'interesting' - somewhat sour. Who knows why. Service was ok. I ordered tomato juice and they brought bloody mary mix and claimed that they spice up their tomato juice. Yeah, right!
(2)
Bob P.
As a self proclaimed foodie, I love to eat out, a lot! Last night I had the pleasure of dining here for the very first time. As much as I want to talk about the excellent wine list and unique menu choices, I want to tell you about a "first". There were 7 of us in my party and we were having a casual business dinner with customers. When the entrees were served, our server realized that one the meals was prepared incorrectly. She apologized to my guest and told him that his correct order will be just a few minutes. Now we have all had this happen to us and we all know the routine; the rest of us feel awkward about eating while he insists we start. Well before this can even happen, the server reappears with a fresh bowl of soup for my guest and says "please enjoy the soup while we attend to your dinner, we don't want you to feel left out". Well all 7 of us were blown away by the service and none of us had ever experienced this. This simple gesture made our evening. And by the way, the wine and entrees were all excellent too! Thank you to the wonderful staff and management at Butch's for an evening none of is are going to forget.
(5)
Ted G.
Great find in downtown Holland The first day for Chef Austin lobster fritters were unbelievable light The simply prepared Grouper with mango avocado chutney superb. Our extremely helpful server Brian was fabulous Overall a great experience for this first timer
(4)
Ron M.
Go here all the time and love the food and staff. Anything from munchies, app's, sandwiches and entre's. The bar is laid back and they have the front for intimate dinners. The only thing we have ever thought of is that they could turn down the lights and turn up the music in the bar at night....other than that it's always great!!!
(5)
Katie B.
We enjoyed celebrating our anniversary here. We started with the tuna appetizer and had salad with basil balsamic dressing and tomato basil soup which were all amazing. We then had filet and sea bass both of which were excellent dishes. We ended with the Kahlua chocolate flourless cake and pomegranate mousse and enjoyed both. Excellent service from Kyle. Would love to come back in the future. One recommendation - ask for extra butter! :-)
(5)
Grace S.
The space is very classy. They have an incredible wine list. Unfortunately, we did not love the one we got and it seemed to get worse as the night wore on. The Scallop appetizer is amazing as was the Chai butter that came with the bread. The steak with the cherry Chutney was brilliant and the Two Tuna Entree was very good. I enjoyed the Tuna but I was not blown away and I had high expectations. The Barley risotto sounded interesting and was interesting but not as delicious as I had hoped. The Chocolate Flourless cake was not as rich a flourless cake as I have had at other locations but it was still good. This little strip of town is amazing though and the atmosphere at Butch's is great for conversation.
(4)
Delilah D.
Great beer list, both bottles and draft. Knowledgeable staff. Lots of selections for takeout beer and wine as well. I am a fan of sitting in the back bar, love the sandwiches and the appetizer menu. Vast martini list too!
(4)
Katie L.
I was in holland for business this restaurant was recommended. The place was packed for a Tuesday night but they were able to seat me right away. The waitress was very knowledgeable and attentive. I ordered the spinach salad and the flat iron. Needless to say it was nothing but perfection. Absolutely delicious and I highly recommend both. The owner, Butch, even came over to mingle and thank me for coming in. So impressed and wish I could come back every night to try something off their ever enticing menu!!!
When I called to make reservations at Butch's, the guy on the phone asked if we were celebrating a special occasion. I told him it was our anniversary and he was like, "cool." They showed us to a table that was against the window, practically on the sidewalk. It was nice. They have curtain separators between the tables which made each table feel exclusive. The menu was slightly different than what we had reviewed online, but I think it was better. This place is classier than other reviews let on. They knew it was our anniversary and the waitress offered us a complimentary dessert to celebrate. It was a nice gesture but we were stuffed from the hummus, rolls, salad, filet mignon with fig sauce, and turkey burger, that we had to decline. So they paid for our drinks. And our drinks weren't cheap. I had single malt scotch and my wife a Syrah. What a cool thing to do. The Carter Oosterhouse looking waiter made my wife sit up a little straighter and encouraged me to suck in my gut.
(4)
Nick R.
Great atmosphere, great wine selection, but very average food for the price. $25 for a free range chicken dinner entree. It was basically a boneless breast with some fancy gravy and a little steamed kale. It was just okay. $28 for halibut that was tough and overcooked with a really watery and over sweetened whipped root vegetable. I honestly could've cooked a better meal at home with the same ingredients. The waitress informed us there is a new chef which explains the sharp decline in food quality and creativity since we were here earlier this year. The avocado dressing is gone and the short ribs are gone. Big mistakes. Hope things improve but the price just doesn't justify the average foods.
(2)
David W.
We were in Holland for a family wedding this past weekend. The front desk suggested Butch's. He said it was really good. So we decided to see for ourselves. I am a huge Duck fan so I gave it a try. My husband is a hugh fan of Seared Tuna, so he had that as an appetizer, and the Halibut for his main course. The duck was the best I have ever had, it was seasoned and cooked perfectly; the presentation and the serving size was perfect as well. The seared tuna cut like butter and was as tender and smooth as butter. The halibut was some of the best seafood he has ever had as well. Wh sent our compliments to the chef, he came out and introduced himself and after chatting a bit he sent out an amuse bouche consisting of seared salmon with a caper sauce that was delicious. Their wine and beer selection is fantastic and is all available to purchase by the bottle to take home. We went back for lunch two days later and had an amazing family gathering for lunch. Brian (the chef) came out and greeted our table and sent out two amuse bouche for the table. Their lunch menu is large and on point. We highly recommend this restaurant.
(4)
Lisa M.
Went here for dinner on a fairly busy Thursday night while on vacation here. We chose this place because we noticed it's one of the few restaurants where you can get a steak in downtown Holland. The petite filet was priced at $30. I ordered it medium rare and expected a decent filet for that price, but it was a poor cut, very thin, and it was medium-well to well done. The staff was kind and immediately took the steak back and fired up a new one. My companions were nearly done eating by the time I received the refired steak, and again it was thin and overdone. I ate a few bites and called it a day. The server tried to make it right by offering a free dessert to go, and we appreciated that. One of my companions had the steak sandwich, ordered medium, and it was nicely pink. But another companion ordered his hamburger medium and it came well done (and missing the sauce). I'm not sure what the deal was. All I can say is that if you're going to put a petite filet on your menu and charge $30 for it, you should know how to cook it properly. I'd go back again at least once to see if we simply experienced a fluke, but I don't think I'd order the filet again.
(2)
Matthew W.
Holland as a city sucks, but this was one of the few things to do in this town. Good selection. The bar manager was resourceful and knowledgable.
(4)
David K.
Gem in town. Creative menu from burgers to roasted duck. Must order the pork belly appetizer. Very good wine list and fairly priced. Butch stops by every table. Service was spot on and friendly. Could have more options for champagne by the glass or split.
(5)
Brandon Z.
I think I've eaten here and purchased a bottle of wine here at some point in the past, but the real bonus is the bar in the rear. Wide selection of mainly Michigan beers, fun service, sort of a secret-club vibe with a bunch of folks crammed into the back corner of an otherwise closed-down building.
(4)
Rosie E.
We dined at Butch's Dry Dock in Holland MI the evening of June 21, 2013. The restaurant was beautiful and the cheese plate, filet and vegetable lasagna were perfect--simply outstanding. Our reservation was honored and the bus boy filled our water glasses immediately. However, our waiter, who appeared to have only three tables in this un-crowded establishment, was less than uninspired. It took better than 10 minutes for him to approach our table (inspiring my former-waiter husband to check-in with the hostess) and he failed to return until our meal was finished--service was better suited to a lower end restaurant. Clearly, additional training and management of the servers would be of benefit. That said, we'd go back to experience the chef's impressive talents.
(4)
J F.
Lunches are very good and fairly priced. I had the balsamic ham sandwich, and was very pleased. If you get pretzels as a side ask for a side of their honey mustard, it's amazing!
(4)
Samir E.
We arrived in Holland a bit too late (for local standards 9 pm is too late) and this was the only restaurant we found open, so we didn't have high expectations. The fried calamari was tiny buy very good. My wife had a roasted asparagus salad with goat cheese and fresh tamatoes, which may not have been enough for a full meal but it tasted very fresh and perfect for a summer evening. I had the salmon with rice and grilled veggies. The salmon was cooked just right and perfectly light for a late dinner. Great wine selection too, with lots of local wine options.
(4)
Amanda D.
Butch's has a lot of things going for it. First and foremost, they have an incredible wine & beer selection. Their wine is displayed in retail-type shelving (with more apparently available than they can stock in plain sight) and - a surprise I didn't encounter until several visits in - a KILLER beer cooler! They have excellent selection - lots of microbrews options from Bell's and Founder's, and breweries like Goose Island and Stone and Lagunitas that you can't get just anywhere around West Michigan. They have a couple basic menus - a lunch menu, that is relatively cheap and sandwich/salad heavy (I recommend the chicken salad, Erin's chicken salvation) and an evening menu with some fancier entrees like halibut and scallops and filet mignon. The servers are quite friendly, the prices are reasonable, the ambiance is nice (especially the back patio in the summer) and the selection is excellent. They also have tall-size mixed drinks for $3 on Wednesdays (even drinks with more expensive ingredients, like white russians).
(4)
Ben S.
Usually more of a lurker on yelp but today's experience led me to actually contribute. Got to Butch's a little before our reservation and sat at the bar. This turned out to be the highlight of the night with good service and a comprehensive knowledge of every drink they served.(think our bartender was Steve) Me and the wife were led to the table at 7 and that is where it went downhill. Server (an older woman) didn't show up until 720 and promptly said she would be back to take our orders. After another long wait she finally took our appetizer order only. We had the pork belly (we usually love it) but it came out completely blackened and had no taste other than char, quite a waste. After another long wait our dinners came, duck and the filet. Both were amazing! Duck was extremely flavorful with a great sauce and the steak was presented well. Overall, what could have been a great dinner was overshadowed by poor service. The food was inspiring but due to underwhelming service, I'm sorry to say, we will not be back again.
(2)
Martine F.
I use to adore Butch's but the last few times I've been there the quality of the food hasn't been the best. My last salad seemed old and the dressing was off. When they are on, oh are they yummie! I love their tomato soup, YUMMMMERS!!!!!!!! The wine selection is amazing and they give you a good deal if you want to purchase a lot of wine... I like their angel tears! Plus many times they've got great art displayed ( a little overpriced in my opinion, but fun to look at).
(3)
Kelly H.
We had been to Butch's several years ago for a friend's rehearsal dinner, so I was hopeful to have a great meal again! I started with the cream of wild mushroom soup (special) and it was delicious. However, the rest of the meal failed to live up to the strong start. I had the gnocchi, since that was the only meatless entree on the menu. It lacked flavor and was like eating a pile of mush topped with veggies. My boyfriend had the filet and said it was perfectly cooked, and the potatoes were good as well. Despite the less than stellar food, the service was excellent. I'm willing to give it another shot, but not counting on good vegetarian options... Tip: They often get extremely busy, especially on weekends/occasions, reservations aren't a bad idea.
(3)
Erin D.
Back for a second taste. The pork belly was delightfully different. Pickled cucumber and kimchi were a perfect complement to the pork. I thought the cut was a bit tough which I believe was the intention. I got over it. Also had the carpaccio which was an absolute train wreck. The beef was good, but served with a thick slice of untoasted bread and a perplexing fennel and apple salad. Completely lacking much needed acid. Everything was just way out of proportion. Got the chance to taste the tofu app and I will definitely get it next time. My dining companion had the burger which was worth every penny. I went with the gluten free stir fry with tofu and udon. It was a party of sweet and sour in my mouth. I am happy to report it is just as impressive cold a few hours later if you manage to not eat it all in one sitting. We split the chocolate torte based off the honest advice of our lovely server. Moist, light, and dark chocolatey goodness. I could have bathed in the raspberry sauce and only wish it was served with more.
(4)
Amy S.
The bar manager introduced us to some interesting new beers and really helped us improve our beer-drinking lingo! He had great suggestions, was friendly, and the staff kept our glasses full. Great atmosphere, huge selection of package wine, and great photography hanging all over, for decoration and purchase.
(5)
Al A.
Visited Butch's for dinner on a Monday night, during a western Michigan blizzard. Lots of things to like, a few things to make me grumble. First of all, Holland, MI is a lovely place to go! Love the downtown, and even in the winter it's a treat. When we got to Butch's we were seated immediately without having reservations, but given the weather conditions that wasn't too surprising. I admired the great selection of wines in the retail wine section and headed off to my table giddy with the prospects of choosing something from that selection, with the addition of the typical "corking charge." We were seated in the bar, which is OK, but there were tables available in the dining room that I would have preferred, but I wasn't asked for my preference. I believe they were short staffed that night, but my waitress Heather was great, even though she was waiting way too many tables. What I need to state up front here is that I have become a bit of a wine snob - I admit this. I thoroughly enjoy a good meal with a nice bottle of wine, but I typically can't bring myself to order a bottle of wine at a restaurant because I refuse to pay 3 times what i can buy it for from my my local wine guy. So my favorite restaurants tend to be ones where the food is great, but also have reasonably priced wines. I chose Butch's specifically because they had a retail store and an option to bring in a bottle from there. Butch's has a great wine list, but it tends toward the very pricey side. When I inquired about choosing a bottle of wine from the retail selection I was told that I could do so, but that I would have to pay a $10 corking fee to bring wine in from their retail store, because the wine in their store was "at retail price.". Let's make sure I'm clear here - I buy a bottle of wine from THEIR store at a pretty hefty retail price (Bearboat Pinot Noir from my wine store: $22, also available at a large grocery chain in the area for $17 on sale right now, sold at Butch's for $26), and before I can drink it in THEIR restaurant, I have to pay another $10 - or $36 for a bottle of Bearboat Pinot. That's crazy, and I decided to pass on that. That aside, the meal was very, very good. I had the chicken entree, my partner had the turkey burger and they were both very good. But at the prices they're charging (my chicken entree was 21$) atmosphere is relevant, and the loud bar wasn't cutting it. And I think their wine policies are ludicrous. I have never heard of a $10 corking charge for a bottle carried in from the outside, let alone from the restaurants own store. Would I go back? Probably not. Should you try it? Yes, but stick with water.
(3)
Tony G.
Butch's is great! It looks a little fancy (cloth napkins, etc) and it sort of is, but I was comfortable in jeans. The food was excellent, and the service was really good, too. The menu seemed a bit limited - they offer maybe 6 -7 entrees, but each dish is focused on a different 'meat'. The food is very flavorful and well-prepared. The best part about Butch's, though, is the beer and wine selection. They sell package wine and beer, just like a retail store. The way it works is you walk around and choose your beverage, bring it back to your table, and they charge you RETAIL price along with a very reasonable $5 corkage fee. So, that $15 bottle of wine that you see in the grocery store costs you $15, not $30 or more. Great idea!!!! The prices are pretty reasonable, but it's one of the more expensive places that we found in the area - it's good for a special occasion or if you know you're going to want a bottle of wine or two.
(5)
heather d.
On a recent visit to Holland i had the pleasure of dining at Butch's. While i think our server was having an off night (no bread, she kept forgetting to give us silverware and after reciting the specials she remembered they were sold out) anyways, other than that the meal was excellent. Really great good and an even better wine selection. If in the area, i will definitely be back!
(4)
Al W.
Went there on my birthday over Tulip Festival. Went back and forth looking for places to make a reservation as we (friends and family) made the trip for the weekend. We remembered this place from our weekend stopover last year in Holland. Booked it and what a find. Not advertised very well and even thought this place was more deli than restaurant but its a fantastic place. We found it, not hard, downtown Holland, got there early and went to the back where the bar was located. Got a table in the front and had a few drinks before the friends came. Once our friends,met up with us, we were seated. Fantastic appetizers as we had several dfferent ones and then we ordered the Filet, Paella, Lamb chops and duck. All of us came away satisfied and really astonished to find a great restaurant tucked away in Holland. Think we even saw Butch himself though we didn't go up to him. They even gave me a complimentary dessert for my birthday, how great was that. Service was excellent and I will be back on my next visit. The only odd thing was the bathroom was in like the basement but there was like a private party going on down there... odd but won't complain
(5)
Mike T.
Overpriced, small portions, quality varies day to day. Good for drinks.
(2)
Sharla B.
Slow service, great food. Try the Republican sandwich - don't fear the coleslaw, it's delicious in the sandwich!!!
(4)
Leang E.
My first experience here was a lot better than my most recent. I like how it's situated downtown Holland, and they have a little outdoor deck like area. This would have been great to be at if the weather was a little nicer. I remembered liking the food here the last time I came and they also had some good cocktails that they made here. This time around we were here for lunch. We were able to make same day reservations for Sunday. The service was kind of slow. It took a while for our soups and entrees to come out. The tomato basil soup is very tangy, and surprising to the taste bud. Our tea wasn't as hot, and I wasn't very thrilled with my seared tuna salad. Everyone else got sandwiches that just looked decent. The price is reasonable, but there's a very limited selection of food on the menu. It's a very chill spot, and good for a date and groups. I would pass if you were looking to come here for the food...
We had a late lunch here on a lazy Tuesday afternoon. The setting is lovely, the staff pleasant. The food was delicious, and they have a huge beer and wine selection. This restaurant is a solid four stars. So then why only three? Communication. Switching the included side salad to a Caesar ("no problem!") Incurred the full cost of a separate side salad. Asking for the anchovies to be included incurred an additional $2.50 charge (and then they were sardines and not anchovies, which I actually prefer, but jsyk). The kicker surprise, however, was to find an uncorking fee of $3.00 for the beer! Each beer! That's actually more than the beer itself cost! Look, a $6 beer isn't unheard of, but just tell me up front it's $6 not $3. All these little avoidable surprises ended up souring what was otherwise a delicious meal.
(3)
Katie H.
Overall, solidly decent food. But the appetizers are definitely small for the price. Flat bread - Not quite what I expected. The sausage isn't in big, juicy chunks as I was expecting. Instead, it was mixed in with the tomato sauce. The amount of sauce wasn't very generous and nor were the slices of mozzarella. Goat Cheese Plate - Small portion of cheese and small portion of jam. The bread it is served with looks like cheap wheat bread with the crusts cut off. BBQ Pulled Pork - My friend enjoyed the this sandwich! She seemed to the think the sauce and the coleslaw was good and liked the fries as well. Chicken Tacos - My husband enjoyed these very much. The bite I had I thought was fine, but nothing special. I also thought the fries were just fine. Burger - My burger was probably my favorite of everything and was nicely seasoned. However, the chips it came with looked and tasted as if they just came from a bag. Wow. This review sounds like quite a downer. Honestly, the quality was absolutely fine! I just thought it was a little pricey and would've expected something a little more special. I'm sure I'll go back because of the nice location and and atmosphere.
(3)
Paul T.
Great restaurant. Always good food and plenty of beer and wine. Have a discovered a few local wines over years
Enjoyable dinner. Dinner companions from the North of England said the bangars needed more sage chunkier onions and some red wine or lea perrins. They also were too thin and hot in the middle and cold on the outside. Nice mashed potatoes but a little buttery. My filet was good but needed to be hotter. Caesar salad was very good. Nice addition of anchovies and cheese. Good service and nice atmosphere.
(4)
Tracey B.
We came in last night for a late birthday dinner. I made a reservation online like I always do and was pretty disappointed when we got there and were seated in the bar. Last I knew you didn't need a reservation for the bar. When I asked why she said the dining room was closed for a party. I think if that were the case a phone call would have been Appropriate as we were dressed up for a nice dinner for the dining room. I've made reservations online before and was sat in the dining area. Pretty upsetting to be so dressed up just for the bar. Granted our server was wonderful and helpful we still felt very out of place in the bar. Please take note that if this is the case than a phone call should be made to make sure it is ok.
(2)
Yves M.
Although the wait was bit long for US standards, the food was absolutely great. The mussels were to die for and only complaint is that more bread would have been better to soak up the sauce..! Main course of salmon and chicken was very good and the portion size was perfect. The side salad had a vinegar oil dressing which was excellent, first time I had a restaurant serve a bit more on the vinegar side. Can definitely recommend this place.
(4)
Allison F.
Butch's gets 5 stars for Holland, Michigan cuisine, and here's why: Butch's was my introduction to good food and drink while I was at Hope College. The bartenders always took good care of us, and the food was consistently superb. One weekend I came in twice just for the gorgonzola mashed potatoes. Don't be turned off by the price -- your taste buds deserve dinner at Butch's.
(5)
Cara F.
I will say, the customer service was great on my take-out order. Quick and friendly. But I just paid $16 for the puniest piece of bland salmon and 4 over cooked pieces of asparagus. What a rip-off! Way overpriced.
(2)
Andy S.
My wife and I made a reservation here on our trip to Holland as the menu seemed to stand out from other restaurants in the area. We were seated at a great table right next to the window which gave us a nice view of downtown Holland. The service was excellent and our server made some helpful recommendations. Our entrees were fantastic - almond crusted chicken for my wife and ribeye for me. I ordered my ribeye medium but it came out just a touch overcooked - not much pink in the center. However, it was still very juicy and flavorful. The shittake mushrooms served on top of the steak were perfect as was the sauce. My wife loved her chicken and said it had great flavor and texture. Desserts were excellent as well. Wy wife had a chocolate mousse tort and I had the butterscotch creme pudding. Both were light and flavorful. Great beer selection with lots of Michigan (and other) brews to choose from. I'm not a wine person, but they have an extensive selection. If you are in Holland and are looking for more of a fine dining experience, Butch's is the place to go. We will be back!
(4)
Anne R.
Did you know that if you order 2 burgers and a chicken sandwich it takes 1 hour? Did you know that if you don't ask the server for beverages that you will never get a drink? Soon disappointing!!!
(1)
Vincent B.
So my date and I arrived a little before our dinner reservation which was set at 5:00 (when their dinner starts). We were seated and asked for anything to drink by the manager, who did a fantastic job throughout the whole night. I asked about the wine cellar and he gave us a tour in which we both weren't expecting. The manager gave great recommendations on beer and wine, as my girlfriend and I had two separate different taste buds. She ordered the salmon and I ordered the scallops. We switched plates in between to get a taste of each dish and I thought both were amazing. I'm a huge scallop fan and these were very tasty and the size of them exceeded my expectations. The salmon was very good, and had a unique sauce that they had just started preparing which also was good but you should ask about it. All in all, we had a great experience, the service was good, and the manager was great!
(4)
Michael S.
I grew up in Holland but have lived in Florida for many years. When I come back to visit family, I usually return to the same old favorites. I was downtown for lunch and decided to try Butch's for something new. I was pleased. I wasn't expecting white tablecloths and quality flatware and glassware. It was better than expected. I chose a table on the back patio and was pleased with the teak tables, umbrellas and potted herbs on the tables. Quick with a glass of ice water, I ordered the salmon and a Chardonnay. $4 for a glass of wine? $13 for a quality piece of salmon with asparagus and cream sauce? Prices are fantastic compared to South Florida. Quality and service were very good. Salmon was a little over cooked for my taste, but I'm sure most of the local clientele prefers fish cooked through. A little salty as well. Chardonnay was very nice. There was a pretty long wait for the salmon. I'll put this on my list for future visits!
(4)
David H.
Had a lovely meal at the bar. Bartender "lance" was a pleasure. From my seat I had a view of the expertly run kitchen. 1st rate. Service was excellent and the food very good as well. Pork chop was delicious and duck special was perfect. I highly recommend.
(4)
Tricia K.
My husband picked out this restaurant because he found it in one of his Michigan guide books and it looked like a place a foodie like me would enjoy. We came here for a light lunch on a cold Friday after Thanksgiving. "Light" is the appropriate word for my lunch. I ordered a small tomato basil soup and a small wedge salad. These ended up being tiny portions and I was hungry in about an hour. That being said, the food was decent and better than bar food. We sat in the back area which was less formal than up in the front near the windows. My hubby had a roast beef sandwich which wasn't large either, but nowadays portions are bigger than they need to be at most places.
(3)
Amelia R.
We waited an hour and a half for our food. Apparently they had a big party, but no one let us know. We were starving, and then the food was so-so. My salad and soup were average, like they're trying to be fancy. The staff was nice enough, but the communication wasn't good, and the food wasn't worth waiting that long for.
(2)
RB19971 R.
We had lunch at Butches Dry Dock today, we sat outside - it was clean, open and pleasant. Service: 5 stars. The waitress was very good. Attentive, well spoken and knowledgeable. Atmosphere: 3 stars. Although outside was nice, the inside of the restaurant had a funky smell to it. Food: 3 stars. I ordered the curry chicken sandwich. It looked, tasted and had the texture of Tuna Salad. There was no hint of curry to it. The bread was not fresh and the sandwich was just wrong. I love curry chicken sandwiches, and this was nothing like a curry chicken sandwich. It was so bad I think they should take it off the menu. Overall the experience was just ok, however, I wouldn't be rushing back or recommending it.
(3)
Angela N.
Butch's is a great destination for lunch and dinner. The food is fantastic. The menu offerings many not be as large as other restaurants, but it offers very diverse selections. The wine selection is amazing. You can purchase any bottle from their retail section and for a reasonable corkage fee, you can enjoy your wine at a price well below your typical restaurant mark up. .
(5)
G G.
I spoke with Butch regarding the issues that we experienced and am completely thrilled with his follow-up and results. I am confident that he will take corrective actions. I look forward to our next dining experience here.
(4)
Sarah G.
We are regular diners at Butch's for both lunch and dinner. It is a great spot for a business or personal lunch meeting. I love their hot tuna sandwich, but they also have salads, and small entrees. We also dine here regularly for dinner. The menu is always fresh and new. My husband usually gets one of the entrees like the scallops. But, I frequently get a shared plate with a salad. They also have a great selection of unique beers and a huge wine selection.
(5)
Dee S.
Four of us went for NY Eve for the $60 per person dinner, or $100 with reserve wine pairing. Atmosphere and wine selection are 5 star.......as for the food, the taste and presentation were great (5 stars), but the portions....yikes...we left hungry (2 stars). We LOVED the sauce that was on our lobster/sole plate so much that we wanted to eat every bit of it, but when we asked for bread to use to wipe our plates clean, we were told "We don't serve bread, but I can bring you a spoon" by both the waitress and the owner when we asked. Our meal cost over $450 for the 4 of us (including wine and tip) and none of us mind paying that kind of money for a great meal, however, it was pretty sad that we had to go back to hotel and order room service two hours later :(
(4)
Kellie T.
I really tried to love this place but after a couple of visits - all I can muster is a lukewarm "meh". I did have the best cocktail of my life but the food really needs some help- especially at those prices. At that price point I expect certain levels of service and food quality/presentation and I have been disappointed on both fronts. Ordered the goat cheese small plate and was underwhelmed. The bread should have had a more rustic look and a more complex flavor- it also should have had fresh coarse cracked black pepper, not the crap out of the diner shaker. The beet salad was disappointing as well- not enough of everything and the added Amish chicken was tough and unpleasantly rubbery at the same time. We had the same waitress twice and she always seemed to be in the weeds. We never got told specials - on either occasion. She did accommodate my special order obsession without much drama- so marks for that. All in all I think I'm done with Butch's.
(3)
Sherri M.
I have no idea where to begin with this one. We were invited to dine here with another couple. Without going into details, the four dinners were all screwed up. Not a couple to complain, we made it work. Unbeknownst to us the couple who invited us later wrote a letter to the restaurant complaining about the dinner. The management, seemingly wanting to make things right, wrote a letter to us and invited us back. Their letter was a little cryptic, but the instructions were to arrive with the letter, show the staff, and let them know we were there. So we did. We had a pretty decent meal. We asked for the bill. Not one item comped. I was shocked and felt so duped. The purpose of that letter, evidently was to get us to come back to Butch's, drop some bills; which we did, that one last time. Never been back, and never will.
(1)
K B.
Pretty good place for a sandwich, salad or soup. Outdoor seating if you like. Servers helpful and friendly. Caesar salad ok, but could be a bit larger and more zesty. Tomato soup is nice, and has bits of chopped tomatoes in it. Would come back again.
(3)
John B.
Butch's is a Holland original. Even before his current locations, his sandwhich's were fresh and original. I love the menu innovations. Very extensive wine and spirit collection, as well craft beer. There is something for everybody!
(4)
Carol F.
Unimpressed with the food. Server didn't know ingredients and every step of service was extremely slow. The server suggested we pick a beer out of the beer case and when we got our bill there was a corkage fee for the beer. I would choose somewhere else to eat if I were you.
(1)
Tom L.
Overrated and priced. Never overly impressed the couple times I've been there and there are too many other good choices within a couple blocks. Like Fricano's ;)
(2)
Stephen R.
was really disappointed this go around. menu is very pricey the food was average, and not worthy of 26 to 40 dollar entree prices. if you want a salad, entree, and dessert its over 50 per person. I had the new england clam chowder, it was OK...very brothy,not creamy...and a tad on the salty side. the salad was very good but tiny for 11 bucks. nothing on the menu really stood out, theres no signature dish..I dont get a sense of what their "GO TO" dish is...but the overall atmosphere is nice and friendly. service is good atmosphere is good food was below par.
(2)
Cassandra W.
I have not been to many restaurants of this caliber in Holland or Western Michigan. When I'm Western Michigan, I usually spend my time at an ice cream shop or on the beach. Our family rented the cellar room for a birthday dinner, with a group of 20. The cellar room is beautiful and has a very urban feel to it. There is nice art (some for sale) gallery style in the entry room & in the cellar room itself, there is a cool wine case and a very long table. The lighting is great for Iphone pictures (hahah) and you really feel like you are in a private space, as opposed to some other 'private' rooms in restaurants. If you are looking for a urban setting, this is just about the only place in Holland you can get it. For our party, we had a few appetizers and then 3 menu choices, baked chicken (with some fancy name), halibut (with some fancy sauce), and a grass fed-filet. We all enjoyed our food as well as the atmosphere. The service was great! -1 Star because for what it is... I feel the food is a tad overpriced. I'm not saying it wasn't good at all, I am just expressing my feelings!
(4)
Timothy H.
Excellent staff. Seated promptly. Food was delightfully tastey with an engaging presentation. As is typical of trendy restaurants, don't expect to get full, but do expect to pay $25 to $35 for a large plate and $10 for an appetizer. The Butch's Dry Hop was earthy and a good balance to the Flat Iron Steak. The Peaches and Cream beer was fruity and fun. Drop one star for pricing imbalance to serving size.
(4)
A. H.
Butch's was one of the three restaurants recommended by the bed and breakfast Castle in the Country (see separate review). It's located in the hip and artsy town of Holland, MI. Butch's offers good food and a very nice wine selection. It has a casual yet upscale atmosphere and was busy but not loud. We were seated promptly for our 7pm reservation and had a great table near a window looking out onto the main street. Sadly with poor planning on our part, my wife and I weren't terribly hungry. The menu offered a lovely selection and we considered both the Maple Leaf Duck and the vegetarian Lasagna, but ultimately went with the Crab Cake appetizer and we shared the Fish Tacos which we ordered without the blackened preparation. The crab cakes were larger than expected and were fried with a delicious crispy outside and tender flavorful inside. The fish tacos were fantastic. There were filled with cubes of sauteed - not breaded - fish and a delicious slaw with an avocado horseradish sauce. Yumm.. I'd definitely get these again. We finished dinner with a piece of chocolate torte drizzled with Baily's - also satisfying. If you're in the Holland. MI area, give Butch's a try.
(4)
Sara C.
We had a really nice and affordable late lunch here the last time we were in Holland. This is one of those restaurants that's right on the fence between casual and classy, so you can dress for your event and not feel under or overdressed. I like that. Also I liked their menu, which has a good combo of classics and adventurous meals. Service was great (although we were one of only about 3 tables since we were there in the late afternoon) and I was pleasantly surprised by our bill, considering how much food we ate! :)
(4)
Jon-Paul B.
Overall a very decent experience. Highlights: the Scottish salmon dish was creative, well balanced and delicious. They also had great omegang beers on tap including the IPA. The rabbit rillettes are also worth it. On the flip side, the scallop dish was a bit salty and the empanadas were very tasty but more akin to puff pastry with filling vs the more traditional argentine dish. All in all though a very worthwhile experience with a unique, non-pedestrian menu.
(3)
Terry M.
Had the trout for dinner and it was fantastic! Exactly what I was looking for for dinner. Great drink selection, awesome wait staff super knowledgeable
(5)
Gregg c.
What appeared to be a promising evening of good food turned out to be anything but that. Our waitress was very knowledgeable and helpful concerning the menu. We started with pan-fried calamari and pomme frites (French fries) as appetizers. OTher choices included a fancy corn dog (?). The sauce on on the calamari was very spicy as were the dipping sauces for the fries, which was okay for my wife, but not me. Then, for salads, if you like French, Thousand or Ranch dressing, forget it. It's basalmic vinegar and some other combinations I have never heard of before. Then, it went downhill. The wife ordered lamb chops (medium) and I ordered the filet (medium). We BOTH got rare meat at best. The lamb was still raw inside while my steak was blood red, not pink. Sadly, our bill came to nearly $80, even after they comped the calamari because her chops were raw. Wife and I agreed that the best thing we were served were the glorified french fries. Could have gone to McDOnalds for much less and better fries.
(2)
Jonathon E.
After living most of my life in Holland, and never having previously tried Butch's, I stopped in for dinner with my family and girlfriend during a visit back home, after browsing the menu in the window in downtown Holland. My basic impression of Butch's is that they are clearly aiming for the lofty goal of a $20-$40 per plate gourmet experience, but somewhat falling short. While the gorgonzola dressing on my dinner salad was tasty, the salad was practically swimming in it. There was literally more dressing than salad. For the entree, I paid $29 for the Diver Scallops dish, and for the quantity of food I received, I'm thinking I really should have paid closer to $10-$12. That said, however, the flavors and textures of the scallops, goat cheese polenta, and (!) bbq sauce reduction glaze were really quite good, and complemented each other very well. The scallops were tender and cooked just right, and the presentation of the dish was excellent. I'd be willing to pay $29 for a dish like that again... but only if I receive more than three scallops and literally about 1/4 cup of polenta to go with it. All told, though, I probably will not give Butch's another try, unless either their entree prices come back down to earth, or the quantity of food increases to match the price.
(2)
Kylie A.
Went here last night from out of state and left disappointed. Everything on the menu sounded delicious (albeit somewhat on the pricey side) but once it arrived, everything tasted "off". The complementary salad with choice of dressing was wayyy overdressed. I chose the creamy avocado dressing and there was more dressing than salad, I couldn't even eat a few pieces of lettuce. It was DRENCHED. I would ask for it on the side if I ever went again. The six pieces of "gnocchi" with mushrooms ended up being just tasteless flour/potato balls resembling nothing like the traditional Italian gnocchi I was expecting and craved. The mushrooms were covered in a dark glazed sauce that wasn't very appetizing and resembled dark slugs. The flavors didn't really compliment each other very well, and I couldn't finish my plate. The only thing I thought was decently cool was the refrigerated beer section where you could select a bottle and bring it to your table to drink. Other than that, not impressed in the slightest.
(2)
Nathan L.
One of my family's go to birthday dinner spots. Love it.
(5)
Laura J.
I took a client for lunch, his pick. Great location and decor Loved all of the wine around even though I couldn't drink. Service was ok I ordered a ham and cheese deli sandwich that mentioned a creamy balsamic condiment. I was thinking a flavored mayonnaise. It ended up being salad dressing that was POURED all over it. The dressing was tasty but there was so much of it that the bread was soggy and it was all over my hands the entire time I was eating. Not my idea of good business etiquette. It was reasonably priced though. With tip the bill was $20. I'd go back, but I'd bring a bib.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street, Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : No Dogs Allowed : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Michelle F.
I've lived in Holland for 3+ years now and Butch's is as nice as any fine dining in Grand Rapids. I honestly don't understand how people give a great review and still take away stars. The food is fabulous. The menu portions are much more appropriate for the prices with the new chef and new menu. I love the fact that they now source from local farms. Kyle is fantastic helping with wine choices. And...they have the best martini's around. Butch's is one of my first choices if we dine out and it's always the first choice when my girlfriends and I go out for a chocolate martini and dessert.
(5)Joe J.
I struggle giving such a low review, on the first night we came to Holland this place came highly recommended and the food didn't disappoint. Flat-iron steak was incredible, as was the ribeye (if a little thin for the price), but the service itself was awful. After 10 minutes of sitting there staring I set a 10 minute timer on my phone for when we were just going to leave. Waitress came and took drink orders 45 seconds before we were just going to get up and go. Then she ran off to put them in but didn't take appetizer orders. Drinks arrived after 5 minutes, sort of, as they were delivered to the hostess and she held them for another 5 minutes while they waited for our server to show them who had which drink. Why not just ask us? Appetizers were ordered then, and she ran off before we could order entrees (again) and we played the waiting game to order food. All told it took over 2 hours to eat for 5 people, and as much as I enjoyed the conversation with my friends we would have preferred to do so at the beach. 4 stars for food, negative 2 for service.
(2)Guido N.
Don't trust my Yelp though, just go there. We didn't have a reservation so we lingered on the block for a drink or two until they could fit us it. Butch was roving the floor and our server Annie (I think-hard to remember-we had a couple glasses of wine) was great. But the reason I'm writing this review was the food. The duck, the lamb, the garnishes, the chaat, the ceviche-everything popped. There's a new sheriff in town, and he's at Butch's. Not to put too fine a point on it, but this is the place.
(5)Jeremy C.
I've tried Butch's twice for lunch now and both times have come away terribly disappointed. The first time I went I ordered 20 minutes ahead of time and when I arrived I still had to wait another 15 minutes for my food. This left me unhappy to begin with, but then the food itself was not particularly good. I figured I would give it a second chance, though, and several months later went back again for lunch. This time the food was ready when I arrived, which seemed like a good sign, but then the food itself was just aggressively bad. My group ordered two sandwiches and two orders of beef enchiladas. In addition to tasting bland, the sandwiches were overcooked and burnt around the edges, making them difficult and unpleasant to eat. The enchiladas were dry and tough as if they had been overcooked and then left out to age for a day or so. This is a business I would like to support, as they source many of their ingredients locally and I am strong advocate of locally-sourced food. However, the food quality is just not there.
(1)Phil V.
Went to Butch's on recommendation of a couple of locals and was not disappointed. The restaurant is split into two halves, a more upscale dining room up front and pub with patio in the back. I ordered the Hanger Steak with red cabbage and mashed potatoes. It was great, skillfully cooked, superb balance of flavors and well presented. My guests duck and salmon were both apparently excellent. Butch's has a good wine selection and large cocktail menu, including the not usually found outside the UK Pimms. All in all if I'm ever in Holland again I'm eating at Butch's.
(4)John S.
Pleasantly surprised at our recent first time dinner ... Butch's is very clean and tidy. The food is excellent. The grass-fed fillet cut like butter and my wife's free range chicken the same. Our server was professional, articulate and personable. The only blemish would be the wine list, which was so-so ... it could have ditched some of the foreign reds and whites and relied more on California. Otherwise, a great first impression.
(4)Donna Y.
Exquisite! We dined at Butch's this evening and my husband and I had a 5 star experience. I had the crab cakes which were all crab..almost no filler. They were delicious. My husband had the vegetable lasagna which was outstanding. We shared the lava cake which tasted rich and homemade. The staff was friendly and professional. The atmosphere was classy without being snooty. The tables were fairly spaced so you didn't feel like you were on top of other diners. This was a flawless dining experience! We will definitely come back again when coming to Holland.
(5)Steven D.
Butch's Restaurant in Holland features pasta and wine specials every Wednesday night throughout the winter. Don't forget to check out Butch's new winter menu too, which Chef Adam keeps fresh with seasonal goodness.
(4)Sez A.
We were there for lunch. A wide selection of sandwiches. I got a three-cheese italian. Was ok. My husband got a Manhattan Transfer. Was ok i guess. Nothing special. Thrir tomato bisque was 'interesting' - somewhat sour. Who knows why. Service was ok. I ordered tomato juice and they brought bloody mary mix and claimed that they spice up their tomato juice. Yeah, right!
(2)Bob P.
As a self proclaimed foodie, I love to eat out, a lot! Last night I had the pleasure of dining here for the very first time. As much as I want to talk about the excellent wine list and unique menu choices, I want to tell you about a "first". There were 7 of us in my party and we were having a casual business dinner with customers. When the entrees were served, our server realized that one the meals was prepared incorrectly. She apologized to my guest and told him that his correct order will be just a few minutes. Now we have all had this happen to us and we all know the routine; the rest of us feel awkward about eating while he insists we start. Well before this can even happen, the server reappears with a fresh bowl of soup for my guest and says "please enjoy the soup while we attend to your dinner, we don't want you to feel left out". Well all 7 of us were blown away by the service and none of us had ever experienced this. This simple gesture made our evening. And by the way, the wine and entrees were all excellent too! Thank you to the wonderful staff and management at Butch's for an evening none of is are going to forget.
(5)Ted G.
Great find in downtown Holland The first day for Chef Austin lobster fritters were unbelievable light The simply prepared Grouper with mango avocado chutney superb. Our extremely helpful server Brian was fabulous Overall a great experience for this first timer
(4)Ron M.
Go here all the time and love the food and staff. Anything from munchies, app's, sandwiches and entre's. The bar is laid back and they have the front for intimate dinners. The only thing we have ever thought of is that they could turn down the lights and turn up the music in the bar at night....other than that it's always great!!!
(5)Katie B.
We enjoyed celebrating our anniversary here. We started with the tuna appetizer and had salad with basil balsamic dressing and tomato basil soup which were all amazing. We then had filet and sea bass both of which were excellent dishes. We ended with the Kahlua chocolate flourless cake and pomegranate mousse and enjoyed both. Excellent service from Kyle. Would love to come back in the future. One recommendation - ask for extra butter! :-)
(5)Grace S.
The space is very classy. They have an incredible wine list. Unfortunately, we did not love the one we got and it seemed to get worse as the night wore on. The Scallop appetizer is amazing as was the Chai butter that came with the bread. The steak with the cherry Chutney was brilliant and the Two Tuna Entree was very good. I enjoyed the Tuna but I was not blown away and I had high expectations. The Barley risotto sounded interesting and was interesting but not as delicious as I had hoped. The Chocolate Flourless cake was not as rich a flourless cake as I have had at other locations but it was still good. This little strip of town is amazing though and the atmosphere at Butch's is great for conversation.
(4)Delilah D.
Great beer list, both bottles and draft. Knowledgeable staff. Lots of selections for takeout beer and wine as well. I am a fan of sitting in the back bar, love the sandwiches and the appetizer menu. Vast martini list too!
(4)Katie L.
I was in holland for business this restaurant was recommended. The place was packed for a Tuesday night but they were able to seat me right away. The waitress was very knowledgeable and attentive. I ordered the spinach salad and the flat iron. Needless to say it was nothing but perfection. Absolutely delicious and I highly recommend both. The owner, Butch, even came over to mingle and thank me for coming in. So impressed and wish I could come back every night to try something off their ever enticing menu!!!
(5)Jennifer P.
My husband and I went here for our anniversary and it was our first time. We had the hummus and scallops for an appetizer which the hummus were delicious but the scallops seemed a little pricey for only two of them. They had a really good selection of wines and a fun drink menu! Our dinner was awesome, I had a chicken dinner and my husband had the filet. We couldn't possibly have room for dessert but somehow ended up getting a small creme brûlée. So good! Our service was great, he went above and beyond for us! It's all a bit pricey but the food was quality and it was a nice treat!
(4)Spike H.
When I called to make reservations at Butch's, the guy on the phone asked if we were celebrating a special occasion. I told him it was our anniversary and he was like, "cool." They showed us to a table that was against the window, practically on the sidewalk. It was nice. They have curtain separators between the tables which made each table feel exclusive. The menu was slightly different than what we had reviewed online, but I think it was better. This place is classier than other reviews let on. They knew it was our anniversary and the waitress offered us a complimentary dessert to celebrate. It was a nice gesture but we were stuffed from the hummus, rolls, salad, filet mignon with fig sauce, and turkey burger, that we had to decline. So they paid for our drinks. And our drinks weren't cheap. I had single malt scotch and my wife a Syrah. What a cool thing to do. The Carter Oosterhouse looking waiter made my wife sit up a little straighter and encouraged me to suck in my gut.
(4)Nick R.
Great atmosphere, great wine selection, but very average food for the price. $25 for a free range chicken dinner entree. It was basically a boneless breast with some fancy gravy and a little steamed kale. It was just okay. $28 for halibut that was tough and overcooked with a really watery and over sweetened whipped root vegetable. I honestly could've cooked a better meal at home with the same ingredients. The waitress informed us there is a new chef which explains the sharp decline in food quality and creativity since we were here earlier this year. The avocado dressing is gone and the short ribs are gone. Big mistakes. Hope things improve but the price just doesn't justify the average foods.
(2)David W.
We were in Holland for a family wedding this past weekend. The front desk suggested Butch's. He said it was really good. So we decided to see for ourselves. I am a huge Duck fan so I gave it a try. My husband is a hugh fan of Seared Tuna, so he had that as an appetizer, and the Halibut for his main course. The duck was the best I have ever had, it was seasoned and cooked perfectly; the presentation and the serving size was perfect as well. The seared tuna cut like butter and was as tender and smooth as butter. The halibut was some of the best seafood he has ever had as well. Wh sent our compliments to the chef, he came out and introduced himself and after chatting a bit he sent out an amuse bouche consisting of seared salmon with a caper sauce that was delicious. Their wine and beer selection is fantastic and is all available to purchase by the bottle to take home. We went back for lunch two days later and had an amazing family gathering for lunch. Brian (the chef) came out and greeted our table and sent out two amuse bouche for the table. Their lunch menu is large and on point. We highly recommend this restaurant.
(4)Lisa M.
Went here for dinner on a fairly busy Thursday night while on vacation here. We chose this place because we noticed it's one of the few restaurants where you can get a steak in downtown Holland. The petite filet was priced at $30. I ordered it medium rare and expected a decent filet for that price, but it was a poor cut, very thin, and it was medium-well to well done. The staff was kind and immediately took the steak back and fired up a new one. My companions were nearly done eating by the time I received the refired steak, and again it was thin and overdone. I ate a few bites and called it a day. The server tried to make it right by offering a free dessert to go, and we appreciated that. One of my companions had the steak sandwich, ordered medium, and it was nicely pink. But another companion ordered his hamburger medium and it came well done (and missing the sauce). I'm not sure what the deal was. All I can say is that if you're going to put a petite filet on your menu and charge $30 for it, you should know how to cook it properly. I'd go back again at least once to see if we simply experienced a fluke, but I don't think I'd order the filet again.
(2)Matthew W.
Holland as a city sucks, but this was one of the few things to do in this town. Good selection. The bar manager was resourceful and knowledgable.
(4)David K.
Gem in town. Creative menu from burgers to roasted duck. Must order the pork belly appetizer. Very good wine list and fairly priced. Butch stops by every table. Service was spot on and friendly. Could have more options for champagne by the glass or split.
(5)Brandon Z.
I think I've eaten here and purchased a bottle of wine here at some point in the past, but the real bonus is the bar in the rear. Wide selection of mainly Michigan beers, fun service, sort of a secret-club vibe with a bunch of folks crammed into the back corner of an otherwise closed-down building.
(4)Rosie E.
We dined at Butch's Dry Dock in Holland MI the evening of June 21, 2013. The restaurant was beautiful and the cheese plate, filet and vegetable lasagna were perfect--simply outstanding. Our reservation was honored and the bus boy filled our water glasses immediately. However, our waiter, who appeared to have only three tables in this un-crowded establishment, was less than uninspired. It took better than 10 minutes for him to approach our table (inspiring my former-waiter husband to check-in with the hostess) and he failed to return until our meal was finished--service was better suited to a lower end restaurant. Clearly, additional training and management of the servers would be of benefit. That said, we'd go back to experience the chef's impressive talents.
(4)J F.
Lunches are very good and fairly priced. I had the balsamic ham sandwich, and was very pleased. If you get pretzels as a side ask for a side of their honey mustard, it's amazing!
(4)Samir E.
We arrived in Holland a bit too late (for local standards 9 pm is too late) and this was the only restaurant we found open, so we didn't have high expectations. The fried calamari was tiny buy very good. My wife had a roasted asparagus salad with goat cheese and fresh tamatoes, which may not have been enough for a full meal but it tasted very fresh and perfect for a summer evening. I had the salmon with rice and grilled veggies. The salmon was cooked just right and perfectly light for a late dinner. Great wine selection too, with lots of local wine options.
(4)Amanda D.
Butch's has a lot of things going for it. First and foremost, they have an incredible wine & beer selection. Their wine is displayed in retail-type shelving (with more apparently available than they can stock in plain sight) and - a surprise I didn't encounter until several visits in - a KILLER beer cooler! They have excellent selection - lots of microbrews options from Bell's and Founder's, and breweries like Goose Island and Stone and Lagunitas that you can't get just anywhere around West Michigan. They have a couple basic menus - a lunch menu, that is relatively cheap and sandwich/salad heavy (I recommend the chicken salad, Erin's chicken salvation) and an evening menu with some fancier entrees like halibut and scallops and filet mignon. The servers are quite friendly, the prices are reasonable, the ambiance is nice (especially the back patio in the summer) and the selection is excellent. They also have tall-size mixed drinks for $3 on Wednesdays (even drinks with more expensive ingredients, like white russians).
(4)Ben S.
Usually more of a lurker on yelp but today's experience led me to actually contribute. Got to Butch's a little before our reservation and sat at the bar. This turned out to be the highlight of the night with good service and a comprehensive knowledge of every drink they served.(think our bartender was Steve) Me and the wife were led to the table at 7 and that is where it went downhill. Server (an older woman) didn't show up until 720 and promptly said she would be back to take our orders. After another long wait she finally took our appetizer order only. We had the pork belly (we usually love it) but it came out completely blackened and had no taste other than char, quite a waste. After another long wait our dinners came, duck and the filet. Both were amazing! Duck was extremely flavorful with a great sauce and the steak was presented well. Overall, what could have been a great dinner was overshadowed by poor service. The food was inspiring but due to underwhelming service, I'm sorry to say, we will not be back again.
(2)Martine F.
I use to adore Butch's but the last few times I've been there the quality of the food hasn't been the best. My last salad seemed old and the dressing was off. When they are on, oh are they yummie! I love their tomato soup, YUMMMMERS!!!!!!!! The wine selection is amazing and they give you a good deal if you want to purchase a lot of wine... I like their angel tears! Plus many times they've got great art displayed ( a little overpriced in my opinion, but fun to look at).
(3)Kelly H.
We had been to Butch's several years ago for a friend's rehearsal dinner, so I was hopeful to have a great meal again! I started with the cream of wild mushroom soup (special) and it was delicious. However, the rest of the meal failed to live up to the strong start. I had the gnocchi, since that was the only meatless entree on the menu. It lacked flavor and was like eating a pile of mush topped with veggies. My boyfriend had the filet and said it was perfectly cooked, and the potatoes were good as well. Despite the less than stellar food, the service was excellent. I'm willing to give it another shot, but not counting on good vegetarian options... Tip: They often get extremely busy, especially on weekends/occasions, reservations aren't a bad idea.
(3)Erin D.
Back for a second taste. The pork belly was delightfully different. Pickled cucumber and kimchi were a perfect complement to the pork. I thought the cut was a bit tough which I believe was the intention. I got over it. Also had the carpaccio which was an absolute train wreck. The beef was good, but served with a thick slice of untoasted bread and a perplexing fennel and apple salad. Completely lacking much needed acid. Everything was just way out of proportion. Got the chance to taste the tofu app and I will definitely get it next time. My dining companion had the burger which was worth every penny. I went with the gluten free stir fry with tofu and udon. It was a party of sweet and sour in my mouth. I am happy to report it is just as impressive cold a few hours later if you manage to not eat it all in one sitting. We split the chocolate torte based off the honest advice of our lovely server. Moist, light, and dark chocolatey goodness. I could have bathed in the raspberry sauce and only wish it was served with more.
(4)Amy S.
The bar manager introduced us to some interesting new beers and really helped us improve our beer-drinking lingo! He had great suggestions, was friendly, and the staff kept our glasses full. Great atmosphere, huge selection of package wine, and great photography hanging all over, for decoration and purchase.
(5)Al A.
Visited Butch's for dinner on a Monday night, during a western Michigan blizzard. Lots of things to like, a few things to make me grumble. First of all, Holland, MI is a lovely place to go! Love the downtown, and even in the winter it's a treat. When we got to Butch's we were seated immediately without having reservations, but given the weather conditions that wasn't too surprising. I admired the great selection of wines in the retail wine section and headed off to my table giddy with the prospects of choosing something from that selection, with the addition of the typical "corking charge." We were seated in the bar, which is OK, but there were tables available in the dining room that I would have preferred, but I wasn't asked for my preference. I believe they were short staffed that night, but my waitress Heather was great, even though she was waiting way too many tables. What I need to state up front here is that I have become a bit of a wine snob - I admit this. I thoroughly enjoy a good meal with a nice bottle of wine, but I typically can't bring myself to order a bottle of wine at a restaurant because I refuse to pay 3 times what i can buy it for from my my local wine guy. So my favorite restaurants tend to be ones where the food is great, but also have reasonably priced wines. I chose Butch's specifically because they had a retail store and an option to bring in a bottle from there. Butch's has a great wine list, but it tends toward the very pricey side. When I inquired about choosing a bottle of wine from the retail selection I was told that I could do so, but that I would have to pay a $10 corking fee to bring wine in from their retail store, because the wine in their store was "at retail price.". Let's make sure I'm clear here - I buy a bottle of wine from THEIR store at a pretty hefty retail price (Bearboat Pinot Noir from my wine store: $22, also available at a large grocery chain in the area for $17 on sale right now, sold at Butch's for $26), and before I can drink it in THEIR restaurant, I have to pay another $10 - or $36 for a bottle of Bearboat Pinot. That's crazy, and I decided to pass on that. That aside, the meal was very, very good. I had the chicken entree, my partner had the turkey burger and they were both very good. But at the prices they're charging (my chicken entree was 21$) atmosphere is relevant, and the loud bar wasn't cutting it. And I think their wine policies are ludicrous. I have never heard of a $10 corking charge for a bottle carried in from the outside, let alone from the restaurants own store. Would I go back? Probably not. Should you try it? Yes, but stick with water.
(3)Tony G.
Butch's is great! It looks a little fancy (cloth napkins, etc) and it sort of is, but I was comfortable in jeans. The food was excellent, and the service was really good, too. The menu seemed a bit limited - they offer maybe 6 -7 entrees, but each dish is focused on a different 'meat'. The food is very flavorful and well-prepared. The best part about Butch's, though, is the beer and wine selection. They sell package wine and beer, just like a retail store. The way it works is you walk around and choose your beverage, bring it back to your table, and they charge you RETAIL price along with a very reasonable $5 corkage fee. So, that $15 bottle of wine that you see in the grocery store costs you $15, not $30 or more. Great idea!!!! The prices are pretty reasonable, but it's one of the more expensive places that we found in the area - it's good for a special occasion or if you know you're going to want a bottle of wine or two.
(5)heather d.
On a recent visit to Holland i had the pleasure of dining at Butch's. While i think our server was having an off night (no bread, she kept forgetting to give us silverware and after reciting the specials she remembered they were sold out) anyways, other than that the meal was excellent. Really great good and an even better wine selection. If in the area, i will definitely be back!
(4)Al W.
Went there on my birthday over Tulip Festival. Went back and forth looking for places to make a reservation as we (friends and family) made the trip for the weekend. We remembered this place from our weekend stopover last year in Holland. Booked it and what a find. Not advertised very well and even thought this place was more deli than restaurant but its a fantastic place. We found it, not hard, downtown Holland, got there early and went to the back where the bar was located. Got a table in the front and had a few drinks before the friends came. Once our friends,met up with us, we were seated. Fantastic appetizers as we had several dfferent ones and then we ordered the Filet, Paella, Lamb chops and duck. All of us came away satisfied and really astonished to find a great restaurant tucked away in Holland. Think we even saw Butch himself though we didn't go up to him. They even gave me a complimentary dessert for my birthday, how great was that. Service was excellent and I will be back on my next visit. The only odd thing was the bathroom was in like the basement but there was like a private party going on down there... odd but won't complain
(5)Mike T.
Overpriced, small portions, quality varies day to day. Good for drinks.
(2)Sharla B.
Slow service, great food. Try the Republican sandwich - don't fear the coleslaw, it's delicious in the sandwich!!!
(4)Leang E.
My first experience here was a lot better than my most recent. I like how it's situated downtown Holland, and they have a little outdoor deck like area. This would have been great to be at if the weather was a little nicer. I remembered liking the food here the last time I came and they also had some good cocktails that they made here. This time around we were here for lunch. We were able to make same day reservations for Sunday. The service was kind of slow. It took a while for our soups and entrees to come out. The tomato basil soup is very tangy, and surprising to the taste bud. Our tea wasn't as hot, and I wasn't very thrilled with my seared tuna salad. Everyone else got sandwiches that just looked decent. The price is reasonable, but there's a very limited selection of food on the menu. It's a very chill spot, and good for a date and groups. I would pass if you were looking to come here for the food...
(3)Terrence G.
My wife and I ate dinner here for our anniversary. We made reservations online which I highly recommend doing. My wife had the roasted corn soup for starters and I had the salad special which was a mix of kale and other greens along with avocado and grapefruit. Both were tasty appetizers. For our entrées, my wife had the seared lamb and I had the pork belly which was another special item that evening. The lamb was cooked perfectly and so was my pork belly which had a nice crispy outside. I would recommend this restaurant if you want a little more of a fine dining experience in downtown Holland. My only negative comment would be the price, however they do have items like a burger that seemed reasonable for a fancy restaurant ($13).
(4)Chris C.
We had a late lunch here on a lazy Tuesday afternoon. The setting is lovely, the staff pleasant. The food was delicious, and they have a huge beer and wine selection. This restaurant is a solid four stars. So then why only three? Communication. Switching the included side salad to a Caesar ("no problem!") Incurred the full cost of a separate side salad. Asking for the anchovies to be included incurred an additional $2.50 charge (and then they were sardines and not anchovies, which I actually prefer, but jsyk). The kicker surprise, however, was to find an uncorking fee of $3.00 for the beer! Each beer! That's actually more than the beer itself cost! Look, a $6 beer isn't unheard of, but just tell me up front it's $6 not $3. All these little avoidable surprises ended up souring what was otherwise a delicious meal.
(3)Katie H.
Overall, solidly decent food. But the appetizers are definitely small for the price. Flat bread - Not quite what I expected. The sausage isn't in big, juicy chunks as I was expecting. Instead, it was mixed in with the tomato sauce. The amount of sauce wasn't very generous and nor were the slices of mozzarella. Goat Cheese Plate - Small portion of cheese and small portion of jam. The bread it is served with looks like cheap wheat bread with the crusts cut off. BBQ Pulled Pork - My friend enjoyed the this sandwich! She seemed to the think the sauce and the coleslaw was good and liked the fries as well. Chicken Tacos - My husband enjoyed these very much. The bite I had I thought was fine, but nothing special. I also thought the fries were just fine. Burger - My burger was probably my favorite of everything and was nicely seasoned. However, the chips it came with looked and tasted as if they just came from a bag. Wow. This review sounds like quite a downer. Honestly, the quality was absolutely fine! I just thought it was a little pricey and would've expected something a little more special. I'm sure I'll go back because of the nice location and and atmosphere.
(3)Paul T.
Great restaurant. Always good food and plenty of beer and wine. Have a discovered a few local wines over years
(5)Catherine C.
Quaint old world charm ,walls of wine and beer coolers. The endive blue cheese salad was plentiful, the blue cheese was delightful. The filet perfectly cooked. Desert was creme brûlée delicious. We would return to this spot any time.
(4)Glenn C.
Enjoyable dinner. Dinner companions from the North of England said the bangars needed more sage chunkier onions and some red wine or lea perrins. They also were too thin and hot in the middle and cold on the outside. Nice mashed potatoes but a little buttery. My filet was good but needed to be hotter. Caesar salad was very good. Nice addition of anchovies and cheese. Good service and nice atmosphere.
(4)Tracey B.
We came in last night for a late birthday dinner. I made a reservation online like I always do and was pretty disappointed when we got there and were seated in the bar. Last I knew you didn't need a reservation for the bar. When I asked why she said the dining room was closed for a party. I think if that were the case a phone call would have been Appropriate as we were dressed up for a nice dinner for the dining room. I've made reservations online before and was sat in the dining area. Pretty upsetting to be so dressed up just for the bar. Granted our server was wonderful and helpful we still felt very out of place in the bar. Please take note that if this is the case than a phone call should be made to make sure it is ok.
(2)Yves M.
Although the wait was bit long for US standards, the food was absolutely great. The mussels were to die for and only complaint is that more bread would have been better to soak up the sauce..! Main course of salmon and chicken was very good and the portion size was perfect. The side salad had a vinegar oil dressing which was excellent, first time I had a restaurant serve a bit more on the vinegar side. Can definitely recommend this place.
(4)Allison F.
Butch's gets 5 stars for Holland, Michigan cuisine, and here's why: Butch's was my introduction to good food and drink while I was at Hope College. The bartenders always took good care of us, and the food was consistently superb. One weekend I came in twice just for the gorgonzola mashed potatoes. Don't be turned off by the price -- your taste buds deserve dinner at Butch's.
(5)Cara F.
I will say, the customer service was great on my take-out order. Quick and friendly. But I just paid $16 for the puniest piece of bland salmon and 4 over cooked pieces of asparagus. What a rip-off! Way overpriced.
(2)Andy S.
My wife and I made a reservation here on our trip to Holland as the menu seemed to stand out from other restaurants in the area. We were seated at a great table right next to the window which gave us a nice view of downtown Holland. The service was excellent and our server made some helpful recommendations. Our entrees were fantastic - almond crusted chicken for my wife and ribeye for me. I ordered my ribeye medium but it came out just a touch overcooked - not much pink in the center. However, it was still very juicy and flavorful. The shittake mushrooms served on top of the steak were perfect as was the sauce. My wife loved her chicken and said it had great flavor and texture. Desserts were excellent as well. Wy wife had a chocolate mousse tort and I had the butterscotch creme pudding. Both were light and flavorful. Great beer selection with lots of Michigan (and other) brews to choose from. I'm not a wine person, but they have an extensive selection. If you are in Holland and are looking for more of a fine dining experience, Butch's is the place to go. We will be back!
(4)Anne R.
Did you know that if you order 2 burgers and a chicken sandwich it takes 1 hour? Did you know that if you don't ask the server for beverages that you will never get a drink? Soon disappointing!!!
(1)Vincent B.
So my date and I arrived a little before our dinner reservation which was set at 5:00 (when their dinner starts). We were seated and asked for anything to drink by the manager, who did a fantastic job throughout the whole night. I asked about the wine cellar and he gave us a tour in which we both weren't expecting. The manager gave great recommendations on beer and wine, as my girlfriend and I had two separate different taste buds. She ordered the salmon and I ordered the scallops. We switched plates in between to get a taste of each dish and I thought both were amazing. I'm a huge scallop fan and these were very tasty and the size of them exceeded my expectations. The salmon was very good, and had a unique sauce that they had just started preparing which also was good but you should ask about it. All in all, we had a great experience, the service was good, and the manager was great!
(4)Michael S.
I grew up in Holland but have lived in Florida for many years. When I come back to visit family, I usually return to the same old favorites. I was downtown for lunch and decided to try Butch's for something new. I was pleased. I wasn't expecting white tablecloths and quality flatware and glassware. It was better than expected. I chose a table on the back patio and was pleased with the teak tables, umbrellas and potted herbs on the tables. Quick with a glass of ice water, I ordered the salmon and a Chardonnay. $4 for a glass of wine? $13 for a quality piece of salmon with asparagus and cream sauce? Prices are fantastic compared to South Florida. Quality and service were very good. Salmon was a little over cooked for my taste, but I'm sure most of the local clientele prefers fish cooked through. A little salty as well. Chardonnay was very nice. There was a pretty long wait for the salmon. I'll put this on my list for future visits!
(4)David H.
Had a lovely meal at the bar. Bartender "lance" was a pleasure. From my seat I had a view of the expertly run kitchen. 1st rate. Service was excellent and the food very good as well. Pork chop was delicious and duck special was perfect. I highly recommend.
(4)Tricia K.
My husband picked out this restaurant because he found it in one of his Michigan guide books and it looked like a place a foodie like me would enjoy. We came here for a light lunch on a cold Friday after Thanksgiving. "Light" is the appropriate word for my lunch. I ordered a small tomato basil soup and a small wedge salad. These ended up being tiny portions and I was hungry in about an hour. That being said, the food was decent and better than bar food. We sat in the back area which was less formal than up in the front near the windows. My hubby had a roast beef sandwich which wasn't large either, but nowadays portions are bigger than they need to be at most places.
(3)Amelia R.
We waited an hour and a half for our food. Apparently they had a big party, but no one let us know. We were starving, and then the food was so-so. My salad and soup were average, like they're trying to be fancy. The staff was nice enough, but the communication wasn't good, and the food wasn't worth waiting that long for.
(2)RB19971 R.
We had lunch at Butches Dry Dock today, we sat outside - it was clean, open and pleasant. Service: 5 stars. The waitress was very good. Attentive, well spoken and knowledgeable. Atmosphere: 3 stars. Although outside was nice, the inside of the restaurant had a funky smell to it. Food: 3 stars. I ordered the curry chicken sandwich. It looked, tasted and had the texture of Tuna Salad. There was no hint of curry to it. The bread was not fresh and the sandwich was just wrong. I love curry chicken sandwiches, and this was nothing like a curry chicken sandwich. It was so bad I think they should take it off the menu. Overall the experience was just ok, however, I wouldn't be rushing back or recommending it.
(3)Angela N.
Butch's is a great destination for lunch and dinner. The food is fantastic. The menu offerings many not be as large as other restaurants, but it offers very diverse selections. The wine selection is amazing. You can purchase any bottle from their retail section and for a reasonable corkage fee, you can enjoy your wine at a price well below your typical restaurant mark up. .
(5)G G.
I spoke with Butch regarding the issues that we experienced and am completely thrilled with his follow-up and results. I am confident that he will take corrective actions. I look forward to our next dining experience here.
(4)Sarah G.
We are regular diners at Butch's for both lunch and dinner. It is a great spot for a business or personal lunch meeting. I love their hot tuna sandwich, but they also have salads, and small entrees. We also dine here regularly for dinner. The menu is always fresh and new. My husband usually gets one of the entrees like the scallops. But, I frequently get a shared plate with a salad. They also have a great selection of unique beers and a huge wine selection.
(5)Dee S.
Four of us went for NY Eve for the $60 per person dinner, or $100 with reserve wine pairing. Atmosphere and wine selection are 5 star.......as for the food, the taste and presentation were great (5 stars), but the portions....yikes...we left hungry (2 stars). We LOVED the sauce that was on our lobster/sole plate so much that we wanted to eat every bit of it, but when we asked for bread to use to wipe our plates clean, we were told "We don't serve bread, but I can bring you a spoon" by both the waitress and the owner when we asked. Our meal cost over $450 for the 4 of us (including wine and tip) and none of us mind paying that kind of money for a great meal, however, it was pretty sad that we had to go back to hotel and order room service two hours later :(
(4)Kellie T.
I really tried to love this place but after a couple of visits - all I can muster is a lukewarm "meh". I did have the best cocktail of my life but the food really needs some help- especially at those prices. At that price point I expect certain levels of service and food quality/presentation and I have been disappointed on both fronts. Ordered the goat cheese small plate and was underwhelmed. The bread should have had a more rustic look and a more complex flavor- it also should have had fresh coarse cracked black pepper, not the crap out of the diner shaker. The beet salad was disappointing as well- not enough of everything and the added Amish chicken was tough and unpleasantly rubbery at the same time. We had the same waitress twice and she always seemed to be in the weeds. We never got told specials - on either occasion. She did accommodate my special order obsession without much drama- so marks for that. All in all I think I'm done with Butch's.
(3)Sherri M.
I have no idea where to begin with this one. We were invited to dine here with another couple. Without going into details, the four dinners were all screwed up. Not a couple to complain, we made it work. Unbeknownst to us the couple who invited us later wrote a letter to the restaurant complaining about the dinner. The management, seemingly wanting to make things right, wrote a letter to us and invited us back. Their letter was a little cryptic, but the instructions were to arrive with the letter, show the staff, and let them know we were there. So we did. We had a pretty decent meal. We asked for the bill. Not one item comped. I was shocked and felt so duped. The purpose of that letter, evidently was to get us to come back to Butch's, drop some bills; which we did, that one last time. Never been back, and never will.
(1)K B.
Pretty good place for a sandwich, salad or soup. Outdoor seating if you like. Servers helpful and friendly. Caesar salad ok, but could be a bit larger and more zesty. Tomato soup is nice, and has bits of chopped tomatoes in it. Would come back again.
(3)John B.
Butch's is a Holland original. Even before his current locations, his sandwhich's were fresh and original. I love the menu innovations. Very extensive wine and spirit collection, as well craft beer. There is something for everybody!
(4)Carol F.
Unimpressed with the food. Server didn't know ingredients and every step of service was extremely slow. The server suggested we pick a beer out of the beer case and when we got our bill there was a corkage fee for the beer. I would choose somewhere else to eat if I were you.
(1)Tom L.
Overrated and priced. Never overly impressed the couple times I've been there and there are too many other good choices within a couple blocks. Like Fricano's ;)
(2)Stephen R.
was really disappointed this go around. menu is very pricey the food was average, and not worthy of 26 to 40 dollar entree prices. if you want a salad, entree, and dessert its over 50 per person. I had the new england clam chowder, it was OK...very brothy,not creamy...and a tad on the salty side. the salad was very good but tiny for 11 bucks. nothing on the menu really stood out, theres no signature dish..I dont get a sense of what their "GO TO" dish is...but the overall atmosphere is nice and friendly. service is good atmosphere is good food was below par.
(2)Cassandra W.
I have not been to many restaurants of this caliber in Holland or Western Michigan. When I'm Western Michigan, I usually spend my time at an ice cream shop or on the beach. Our family rented the cellar room for a birthday dinner, with a group of 20. The cellar room is beautiful and has a very urban feel to it. There is nice art (some for sale) gallery style in the entry room & in the cellar room itself, there is a cool wine case and a very long table. The lighting is great for Iphone pictures (hahah) and you really feel like you are in a private space, as opposed to some other 'private' rooms in restaurants. If you are looking for a urban setting, this is just about the only place in Holland you can get it. For our party, we had a few appetizers and then 3 menu choices, baked chicken (with some fancy name), halibut (with some fancy sauce), and a grass fed-filet. We all enjoyed our food as well as the atmosphere. The service was great! -1 Star because for what it is... I feel the food is a tad overpriced. I'm not saying it wasn't good at all, I am just expressing my feelings!
(4)Timothy H.
Excellent staff. Seated promptly. Food was delightfully tastey with an engaging presentation. As is typical of trendy restaurants, don't expect to get full, but do expect to pay $25 to $35 for a large plate and $10 for an appetizer. The Butch's Dry Hop was earthy and a good balance to the Flat Iron Steak. The Peaches and Cream beer was fruity and fun. Drop one star for pricing imbalance to serving size.
(4)A. H.
Butch's was one of the three restaurants recommended by the bed and breakfast Castle in the Country (see separate review). It's located in the hip and artsy town of Holland, MI. Butch's offers good food and a very nice wine selection. It has a casual yet upscale atmosphere and was busy but not loud. We were seated promptly for our 7pm reservation and had a great table near a window looking out onto the main street. Sadly with poor planning on our part, my wife and I weren't terribly hungry. The menu offered a lovely selection and we considered both the Maple Leaf Duck and the vegetarian Lasagna, but ultimately went with the Crab Cake appetizer and we shared the Fish Tacos which we ordered without the blackened preparation. The crab cakes were larger than expected and were fried with a delicious crispy outside and tender flavorful inside. The fish tacos were fantastic. There were filled with cubes of sauteed - not breaded - fish and a delicious slaw with an avocado horseradish sauce. Yumm.. I'd definitely get these again. We finished dinner with a piece of chocolate torte drizzled with Baily's - also satisfying. If you're in the Holland. MI area, give Butch's a try.
(4)Sara C.
We had a really nice and affordable late lunch here the last time we were in Holland. This is one of those restaurants that's right on the fence between casual and classy, so you can dress for your event and not feel under or overdressed. I like that. Also I liked their menu, which has a good combo of classics and adventurous meals. Service was great (although we were one of only about 3 tables since we were there in the late afternoon) and I was pleasantly surprised by our bill, considering how much food we ate! :)
(4)Jon-Paul B.
Overall a very decent experience. Highlights: the Scottish salmon dish was creative, well balanced and delicious. They also had great omegang beers on tap including the IPA. The rabbit rillettes are also worth it. On the flip side, the scallop dish was a bit salty and the empanadas were very tasty but more akin to puff pastry with filling vs the more traditional argentine dish. All in all though a very worthwhile experience with a unique, non-pedestrian menu.
(3)Terry M.
Had the trout for dinner and it was fantastic! Exactly what I was looking for for dinner. Great drink selection, awesome wait staff super knowledgeable
(5)Gregg c.
What appeared to be a promising evening of good food turned out to be anything but that. Our waitress was very knowledgeable and helpful concerning the menu. We started with pan-fried calamari and pomme frites (French fries) as appetizers. OTher choices included a fancy corn dog (?). The sauce on on the calamari was very spicy as were the dipping sauces for the fries, which was okay for my wife, but not me. Then, for salads, if you like French, Thousand or Ranch dressing, forget it. It's basalmic vinegar and some other combinations I have never heard of before. Then, it went downhill. The wife ordered lamb chops (medium) and I ordered the filet (medium). We BOTH got rare meat at best. The lamb was still raw inside while my steak was blood red, not pink. Sadly, our bill came to nearly $80, even after they comped the calamari because her chops were raw. Wife and I agreed that the best thing we were served were the glorified french fries. Could have gone to McDOnalds for much less and better fries.
(2)Jonathon E.
After living most of my life in Holland, and never having previously tried Butch's, I stopped in for dinner with my family and girlfriend during a visit back home, after browsing the menu in the window in downtown Holland. My basic impression of Butch's is that they are clearly aiming for the lofty goal of a $20-$40 per plate gourmet experience, but somewhat falling short. While the gorgonzola dressing on my dinner salad was tasty, the salad was practically swimming in it. There was literally more dressing than salad. For the entree, I paid $29 for the Diver Scallops dish, and for the quantity of food I received, I'm thinking I really should have paid closer to $10-$12. That said, however, the flavors and textures of the scallops, goat cheese polenta, and (!) bbq sauce reduction glaze were really quite good, and complemented each other very well. The scallops were tender and cooked just right, and the presentation of the dish was excellent. I'd be willing to pay $29 for a dish like that again... but only if I receive more than three scallops and literally about 1/4 cup of polenta to go with it. All told, though, I probably will not give Butch's another try, unless either their entree prices come back down to earth, or the quantity of food increases to match the price.
(2)Kylie A.
Went here last night from out of state and left disappointed. Everything on the menu sounded delicious (albeit somewhat on the pricey side) but once it arrived, everything tasted "off". The complementary salad with choice of dressing was wayyy overdressed. I chose the creamy avocado dressing and there was more dressing than salad, I couldn't even eat a few pieces of lettuce. It was DRENCHED. I would ask for it on the side if I ever went again. The six pieces of "gnocchi" with mushrooms ended up being just tasteless flour/potato balls resembling nothing like the traditional Italian gnocchi I was expecting and craved. The mushrooms were covered in a dark glazed sauce that wasn't very appetizing and resembled dark slugs. The flavors didn't really compliment each other very well, and I couldn't finish my plate. The only thing I thought was decently cool was the refrigerated beer section where you could select a bottle and bring it to your table to drink. Other than that, not impressed in the slightest.
(2)Nathan L.
One of my family's go to birthday dinner spots. Love it.
(5)Laura J.
I took a client for lunch, his pick. Great location and decor Loved all of the wine around even though I couldn't drink. Service was ok I ordered a ham and cheese deli sandwich that mentioned a creamy balsamic condiment. I was thinking a flavored mayonnaise. It ended up being salad dressing that was POURED all over it. The dressing was tasty but there was so much of it that the bread was soggy and it was all over my hands the entire time I was eating. Not my idea of good business etiquette. It was reasonably priced though. With tip the bill was $20. I'd go back, but I'd bring a bib.
(3)