Studio Grill, How did I know not know about your awesomeness until now? You are such a gem in Kzoo! The menu is very unique and even a little entertaining to read. It covers all of the bases- the breakfast list is vast and they have a wide lunch/dinner selection as well. When we came there was a small wait because they had a full house (it's a smaller space). I picked right up on the fact that they have a loyal breakfast following in around town. I haven't been here for lunch yet, but I nearly ordered a lunch dish for breakfast because it sounded so good. The prices are great and the quality is excellent. Our waited was very attentive and the manager*(owner?) came right over during our meal and asked us how everything was. Not a single person out of our group of 7 left unsatisfied. I will definitely be back. Seal of approvals: Their Serrano Sauce. This is awesome with their omelets. Spicy! Watch out. Raspberry jam with cinnamon toast for the win.
(5)
Sherry H.
WOW-WOW-WOW!!! Words can't even begin to describe their hamburgers!!! Hands down these are the "BEST" hamburgers ever! Absolutely to die for!! If you are looking to eat a mouth watering delicious hamburger this is your place! My first bite was like an explosion in my mouth of the greatest hamburger I have ever eaten!! Thick and juicy! Grilled to perfection, outrageously flavorful and piled high! Their hamburgers stand out way above all others!! Exquisite!! Customer service was outstanding. Manger even came by our table to check on us and make sure everything was ok. Amazing doesn't even begin to describe just how good these hamburgers are. It's a powerful hamburger so watch out you will be hooked! It's a shame I live in Texas .... too far way from a hamburger that is out of this world!!
(5)
Jenny L.
all burgers should be stuffed. you can get the Serrano sauce on the side so you can control your own heat.
(5)
Michael H.
They make great tasting food and the food prices are extremely reasonable. It's also a nice alternative to Crow's Nest when CN's line is down the stairs and out the door, while you can be sat at Studio Grill in about 5 minutes at the same exact time that crow's nest is slammed. They have good service, but I have two bits of criticism. Sometimes management will want to critique their servers while out on the floor and that can be a little polarizing especially for former restaurant employees/management majors who had abusive managers at restaurants they used to work at, like me. I'd suggest having those types of conversations in the back room away from your patrons. My second criticism is that if I want a to-go cup of coffee, I'm quoted an additional 50 cents to pay for the to-go cup, then they assess sales tax on the to-go cup. I think that's a little on the Nickel-and-dime side of things. Their food prices are extremely affordable. One would think they could figure out a way to recoup their to-go coffee cup expenses with just a marginal increase in their menu prices.
(4)
Ed R.
Had a nice and simple breakfast - no frills - just good food, hot coffee, and attentive service. I'm looking forward to my next stop there!
(4)
Daryl M.
The lunch and breakfast menus are both really great here! I think their burgers are some of the best in town for sure!
(5)
Ann R.
I order a avocado hamburger and got a small slice of avocado and dried up hamburger with a lot of mayo. It taste gross , then when I called to complain the owner said to come back and we will give you more avocado. I don't think so why would I go back for more gross food with no taste! Never go there!
(1)
Elise P.
Went there for a unit staff lunch, and everything was great! We made a reservation and pre-ordered, everything went amazingly smoothly. They had out spot saved (a BIG table during the lunch rush!), quickly dropped off drinks and food a few minutes after arriving, and checked in on us and cleared quickly. They had our individual checks ready to go as well. The service was outstanding. I had the more olive burger, which was amazing. As an olive lover (okay, and burger lover...), I can never get enough olives. The burger really had a homemade- not frozen- taste. Fries were great too. i can't wait to come back and try more of the unique burgers, plus onion rings!
(5)
Andrew F.
This review is only 4 stars because I've only been once. I will have to wait for potential revisions (down or up, but probably up!) after visiting again. MAN this place was good! Everyone really enjoyed their meals, and the menu just seemed to feature hit after hit of tasty sounding things. My group went for breakfast, and I got the feature of the day, a Harvest Hash that had seasonal apples and some potatoes and other goodies I can't quite recall right now but it was a unique offering and it was really good. I generally am big on service, and this place was a standout. Our server (I'm sorry I forgot your name!) was really sweet and her attitude was generally excited to be there. It really seemed like everyone that worked there enjoyed what they were doing and was happy to be a part of a great restaurant experience. Can't wait to make my next breakfast date here!
(4)
Ben M.
Stuffed burgers... Holy Jesus, their burgers are amazing. Hard to choose which one to order. I usually get the olive burger, which is bar far the best in town, and I have literally have eaten an olive burger everywhere.
(5)
Ashley S.
One of my favorite breakfast places in Kalamazoo! Plus they have an amazing lunch menu but I can't get myself past the blueberry muffin pancakes! This restaurant is super vegetarian and vegan friendly! The staff is always friendly and helpful. I love coming in here because they know me by name! Also a sweet coffee spot downtown!
(5)
Aditi T.
Studio Grill, I wanted nothing more than to like you. However, it seems like you just weren't feeling the love (this basically could apply to all my relationships, but let's not go there). I came in on a Monday with my mum for lunch and was super excited about the food because my brother had talked the place up beyond comparison. I got the rusty nail burger and I'm not sure it met any of my expectations. Pros: + Great service, super friendly, super polite + Amaze Cajun fries + All their burgers come medium-well + The range of items on their menu! + The pesto burger(!!!) + Gluten-free buns! + Giant portions Cons: - The rusty nail burger was dry #majorsadface - Honestly, for as good as it looked on the menu, it didn't taste great. - The chili was sweet and majorly lacked salt. Bottom line: I think I might have picked the wrong two items on the menu because my mum's pesto burger was amazing. I'll definitely give it another try, but I won't raving about Studio Grill any time soon.
(3)
Jason B.
Studio Grill was my 2nd choice. I was planning a drive through southwest Michigan and did a little burger research and found the MLive state-wide burger competition. I really wanted to try Laura's Little Burger Joint, but they were closed......and for once, I was happy with that. Studio Grill was great. Absolutely great. I had the Ashley Burger, with pulled pork inside the burger patty...it was incredible. The burger quality was great, the pulled pork was great, the bun was great and it was cheap. Plus the service was awesome. I really like this place and I'll have a hard time passing this up any time I'm in the area.
(5)
Nicole V.
Mr. MVP and I read and re-read all the positive reviews about Studio Grill on Yelp and were immediately curious about this gluten free, vegetarian, local breakfast spot. When we arrived at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday morning Mr. MVP decided he was going to try out their award winning burgers, but I planned on sticking with breakfast. The Team VP line had been drawn. We sat down at the bar and I knew we were in trouble when I ordered a cup of coffee and the incredibly friendly waitress could not tell me where their coffee comes from. She did brew me a fresh pot of decaf, however, so that was ultra kind of her. The weird part was when I asked for cream, she handed me one tiny 1/4 teaspoon pack of half and half. When I asked for more, she gave me one more. I actually had to ask for a handful. Apparently at Studio Grill half and half is an expensive commodity. The menu was unique and included items that Team VP would never eat, but must work for Studio Grill. A burger with peanut butter and a burger with grape jam were the two that really stuck out to us. Stuffed burgers seemed to really be popular menu items as well. What was nice about the menu, was that listed between all that weirdness was an option to build your own burger and omelette. As the burgers were listed as made fresh every day and never frozen - the sweet potato fries were also listed the same way - Mr. MVP ordered a burger with an egg and accompanying vegetables. I had an omelette with tomato, green pepper, mushrooms, and mozzarella. My omelette tried. The egg was cooked properly, but the green pepper was mushy. The mushrooms were salty and there were just three small bits of mealy tomato in the entire omelette. The potatoes on the side, which I tasted, but did not eat, were cooked well. Mr. MVP said his burger was okay. Positively not award winning, however. The egg was way overcooked and the bun was obviously not homemade. Although we are certainly more picky than a normal diner, Mr. MVP did comment more than once that the sweet potato fries tasted like they came directly out of the freezer. Remember, Team VP eats a completely organic and preservative free diet, so as I am sitting here writing this review three hours after we ate, my stomach is not happy. Studio Grill is a greasy spoon. Our bill was $20 before the tip, which is actually pretty pricey for a non-organic, non-local meal. I can imagine Studio Grill would be perfect for the early morning crowd fending off side effects of too much alcohol the night before, but for Team VP, we will not be back.
(2)
Colin A.
Stopped into Studio Grill on a whim after our first two breakfast/brunch choices had lines out the door. Wow -- I am glad we ended up here. It's a small diner-style establishment near a strip of downtown that was otherwise deserted on a Sunday morning. Service was excellent; we were greeted by several waitstaff and the owner! One of my companions had the "secret" French toast, which was delectable (I won't spoil it for potential new customers). French toast is great and all -- but the real star of this breakfast was the roasted chicken pesto omelette. Holy amazeballs. Delightfully fluffy eggs, a little bit of spinach, and some of the best pesto I've ever tasted blanketed over grilled chicken chunks...I am salivating just writing this review. Kudos to Studio Grill for making me a fan. On our next trip to Kalamazoo, I will definitely return!
(4)
Keshia D.
I love this place. The staff is wonderful and the food is terrific. If you are vegan or vegetarian they have a lot of options for you to eat. Try their burgers and onion rings! Breakfast is phenomenal.. Mmm pancakes! Also they have coffee options. I always get a chai latte that serves me well.
(5)
Dee B.
4.5 stars The Studio Grill is my new favorite breakfast place in Kalamazoo. The price points are very reasonable, and the food was very good. I've realized that I'm not necessarily a fan of fluffy omelettes, so I really enjoyed the omelette I had here. One issue I did have was with the potatoes - they were not at all seasoned. Service was friendly and very prompt (although I'll point out we were here at a slow time - about 10am on a Monday). The waitress even mentioned that the AC vent might bother me (there were plenty of open tables we could have moved to), and that they could cover it with cardboard if I found it to be too drafty or cold. The owner stopped by to check on us, and when we left, everyone gave a hearty farewell.
(5)
Megan S.
Happened upon this place while in town for a wedding and man we were not disappointed! Most of the table got breakfast food but my boyfriend and I decided to share the sausage hash and then the Canyon burger and oh my gosh I'm so glad we did!! The burger was the most perfect combination of unique flavors! The breakfast dishes were all wonderful too as was the homemade jelly! When I find myself in Kalamazoo again I will definitely be venturing back!
(5)
Bickers B.
After seeing them ranked one of Michigan's best breakfast places on Thrillist.com , I decided to to give them a go. It was not at all busy but still took 10 minutes for someone to take my order. The waitress was friendly but very chatty with the rest of the staff. In fact, I know way more about her life than I care to. Finally got waited on and ordered an omelet. I forget what it was called. Asked them to leave off the onions. When I took a bite... onions. At this point I tried to get her attention but she and the other wait staff were back to talking. I decided to go ahead and eat it because I was starving. It was OK. I just don't understand how they got on the top 10 list. I doubt I will go back. If you want really good food try Crows Nest. They also take awhile to get waited on but the food is amazing. Or if you want amazing service and fantastic breakfast food, go to Food Dance. Or you could walk down the street to Theo and Stacys. The quality is about the same but you actually get service. Step it up Studio Grill. You have a beautiful restaurant. Train those wait staff and get a new cook!
(2)
Cher C.
Here for a one day trip and went to Yelp for some help deciding where to grab lunch. Called and ordered a burger for take out here. Prompt service and the staff was super friendly! Food tasted great!
(4)
Jessica I.
Great local place with a busy and friendly staff and delicious food. It's not fancy or gourmet, but everything is really well executed. To wit - my omelet was crammed with perfectly sauteed veggies, the eggs were fluffy, and my side of hash browns was that nice amalgam of crispy and tender. My husband got biscuits and gravy with eggs, and once again everything was very nicely done. There's a reason for the line out the door on weekends and the stacks of regulars chatting with the owner before, during and after their meals. Good place.
(4)
Scott L.
Awesome as usual. I had the Lee's Classic and my friend had the Canyon both amazing.
(5)
Jay S.
Another of the great little places in downtown Kalamazoo to have lunch. The Studio Grill was all about character, great food, great staff and very reasonable prices. The staff were a delight, and had the best traditional club sandwiches that I have had in a long time. Will definitely go back again and again.
(5)
Taia H.
An amazing breakfast! They are very accommodating to alternative diets including my vegan one! Offered many amazing choices. Try the strawberry or raspberry jam they make it in-house!
(5)
Kevin W.
One of the best burgers I have ever had. I had the burger with jalapeños, cheese, bacon, fried egg and jelly. The mix of spicy and sweet was great. I got the sweet potato fries with it. They were good, but not the best i have ever had. The service at the restaurant was great. They had free wifi too.
(5)
Nathan C.
The restaurant is pretty small and parking is typical downtown street-side parking. When I first arrived, it seemed moderately and it wasn't 100% clear that it was a wait to be seated type of restaurant, but in a short period of time someone came to take my name. They indicated that it would be about a 10-15 minute wait and the gentleman suggested waiting next door at michigan news rather than crowding the front of the restaurant, which I did. The wait time was about 10 minutes and the gentleman came over to let me know the table was ready. The food was absolutely amazing, I had the pineapple sweet/spicy burger and it was definitely more on the spicy side but a great flavor and the pineapple did a great job of balancing out the spicy. After this experience, I can't wait to go back and try more items from their menu!
(5)
Austin P.
Best burger in Kalamazoo hands down. Their breakfast isn't bad either.
(5)
Sheri A.
The new chairs adds a nice touch. The other white chairs were cute but not so comfy. Good job Studio Grill. Please don't replace the checked tablecloths!!! Too cute
(5)
Ken H.
I've been here twice for breakfast and cannot wait to go again. This is now one of my top three breakfast places in Kalamazoo. The staff was very friendly. A man (I think he was the owner) stopped by our table several times to check on us and banter a bit. I tried the Morning Skillet~ an opened faced omelet w/ sausage and American fries, and sausage gravy and melted Cheddar cheese. I added a side of two blueberry pancakes. Everything was delicious. Be sure to try the jelly. I'm told it is homemade. Both the strawberry and raspberry were great. On the downside, the space is small and there isn't really any type of waiting area. You may have to stand near tables while you are waiting, but the wait is worth it! I'm interested in going back for lunch to try one of the stuffed burgers that are getting such great reviews. Warning: The chairs are top heavy. Put a coat on the back of one and then stand up. You'll see what I mean. Actually, you probably shouldn't try that.
(5)
john k.
Well, what a menu. It was obvious that someone has great passion for their creation, so when I saw a hamburger with grape jelly as a condiment.....grape jelly? Please if you eat at this restaurant, before you make your own personal adjustments to the product, give some respect to the cook and try things as designed. I am looking forward to my next visit !
(5)
Swed S.
Black bean burger was on point. Decent portion sizes for a reasonable price. Wish they were open at night. This would make a great late night spot. They offer student discounts!
(5)
Jeff A.
Food was delicious and the wait staff are great. I had breakfast, but will definitely come back for lunch. One downside was the cold air blowing on me from the floor AC. Everything was cooked to order and it came quickly. Very friendly place!
(4)
Steve H.
Found this little diner on Yelp and glad we stopped in - the food was awesome. Great selection of burgers - had a burger stuffed with Chorizo and topped with a spicy chipotle pesto - YUM!
(5)
Terese B.
We love the Studio Grill in beautiful downtown Kalamazoo! Today we went for breakfast, and although our wait was longer than usual, it was well worth it. My teenage son had the Morning Madness with a pancake on the side and devoured every bit of it. My husband loved the corned beef hash omelette and had leftovers to bring home. My usual breakfast order is their blueberry pancakes, which are always light, fluffy and loaded with juicy berries. We frequently choose Studio Grill for breakfast because of the homestyle cooking and the extremely friendly owners. Every time we've eaten there, Craig and/or Daphney have personally greeted us and asked our opinions on our food choices. We've had equally enjoyable experiences with their award-winning burgers for lunch and often recommend this place to friends and out-of-towners. It's a gem!
(5)
Stefanie M.
This is a great breakfast restaurant! Amazing service and delicious food. We highly recommend their omelettes and the vegan pancakes!
(5)
Julie D.
I tried this place after hearing great things from fellow Yelpers, and I'm so glad I did! The first thing I have to comment on is the atmosphere: the waitstaff and owner ALL greeted me, not just the waitress assigned to our table (the same on my way out- I heard at least four goodbyes!). The place is small and homey, with a variety of really interesting, local, eclectic art on the walls. Our waitress was friendly, knowledgable, and funny, and spoke to us with an air of familiarity, like we were friends she was having over for breakfast, not just customers at her job. The menu has all the usual breakfast stuff, but with a lot of house specialties that sound amazing. The prices are cheap, the coffee was good, and the food was tasty. There are only 2 reasons this gets 4 instead of 5 stars. First, service was kinda slow between when we finished eating and when we got our bills, which seemed strange to me during a Saturday morning breakfast rush. Second, the chairs are really uncomfortable- enough for me to notice and comment on! Their burgers are supposedly amazing. I will definitely come back and give them a try!
(4)
George G.
Excellent breakfast spot. Crispy bacon, delicious home fries, and sublime jam for the toast. Will be back to try the pancakes and omelettes. Great location right by the courthouse, easy to stop in between hearings. Friendly staff and quick service.
(4)
Missy M.
The Cheers of Kalamazoo. Great food , great crew, great owners. They will be calling you by name after a few visits. Creative comfort food. You must try the Blueberry Muffin Pancakes. Even if they are not on the menu. Love this place!
(5)
Jody B.
Great breakfast. Great coffee. Super friendly staff. Free wi-fi. What more could you ask for?
(5)
M B.
Solid breakfast and lunch choice downtown. Friendly service to boost. The burgers and pancakes are my go to options here.
(4)
Jeff D.
(Originally from 1/7/2012) I'm from Portland, OR. I'm a food snob. If you think the episode of "Portlandia" where everyone is standing in line for breakfast is a joke, you don't understand how seriously Portland hipsters take b'fast. That said, this place would be right at home in P-town! Good food, fantastic staff, and a nice way to start the morning. Not that I plan on visiting Kalamazoo again any time soon, but if I do, I'll be back to Studio Grill for breakfast. Was this review ...?
(4)
Sarah S.
I can't put in words how delicious their food is. You have to experience it for yourself. Today was my first time dining here, and I would love to make it a "once a week" stop from now on. Sooo good!
(5)
c f.
Just. Perfect. Diverse menu. Quality food. Good value for money and super-helpful, friendly staff. As an out- of-towner, I felt very at home. Vegan and gluten-free options available.
(5)
Heather D.
Best stuffed burgers I have ever had. The place is cute and cozy, I highly recommend it.
(5)
Peter Z.
I just had my third visit to Studio Grill, and I've sampled all three of their strong suits: Breakfast, Lunch, and Vegetarian food. All are winners. This place is a gem! First visit: lunch. I had the Mark's Pesto Burger -- fresh spinach and cheddar stuffed inside a fresh beef burger, topped with house-made pesto, bacon, and Swiss cheese. It was as gorgeous as it was scrumptious. House-cut fries were super good and stayed crispy. Their house-made chipotle sauce was great to dip fries in. Second visit: breakfast. I ordered the Morning Madness (a special: biscuits topped with eggs over easy, American cheese, bacon, and sausage gravy). Super filling, and not remotely dainty. Side of cajun fries -- tasty, but not as good as the regular fries. Third visit: vegan lunch. I ordered the Vegan Texas Tank burger - a veggie burger from Ope's (a local vegan food business) topped with house-made vegan chili and house-made hummus. Very tasty, and very hearty. Side of sweet potato fries. These, I learned, are not cut on-site like the other fries. Good, but still can't compare to their regular fries. Every time I've been there the service has been excellent -- speedy, friendly, and well-informed. I've also been checked upon every time by a gentleman who seems to be the owner. Clearly, these folks care. It seems like a number of businesses have occupied this location in the last decade. Studio Grill has been there for almost three years and I hope they stay for a long time. Obligatory negative comment: I'd love to eat here for dinner or late-night, but they're open for breakfast and lunch only.
(5)
Daniel D.
Went because it was voted the best burger in Kalamazoo. I would say it's the best burger in Michigan. Lots of non-traditional burger choices including vegan. I got the Watson -burger stuffed with chorizo, topped with pepper jack cheese and chipotle pesto- and added a fried egg. It was brilliantly cooked and served on a perfectly toasted bun - a detail a lot of places overlook. I can't wait to go back and try the peanut butter bacon burger. I simply must have one!
(5)
Alyssa M.
Loved the Serrano sauce and homemade strawberry jam! Reasonably priced, great service, and great food!
(5)
Marino C.
Best burger I have ever tried in my life. Watson or Ashley Burgers top of my list. Nothing else to say.
(5)
Karen K.
The owners are wonderful people! The food is great and so is the service. There is always something new to try when I come here. It's one of my favorite places to take visitors of Kalamazoo and they always love it! I wish they were open later!
(5)
Dirk H.
Waited 20 minutes for seat to open up, but not a big deal. Waited 35 min. For breakfast sandwich and Cuban sandwich. Food was delicious and made up for the wait. Very friendly service and worthy of return.
(4)
Matt D.
If I could give this place 6 stars I would. I had just moved to the Kalamazoo area when I first stopped by Studio Grill. The waiter welcomed me to the city and even the owner came out and said hi. I felt so at home! Both of them were friendly, attentive, and made great recommendations on what to eat. I have read a couple of reviews about some not-so-good wait service, but whoever this guy was...he was a pro. I went for lunch all the times I have been to Studio Grill and have enjoyed every experience. My favorites are their stuffed burgers.
(5)
Christine U.
Amazing burgers! Highly recommend this place. The only disappointment was that we were too full to try the ice cream!
(5)
Jenny K.
I went here for lunch on a Wednesday, and I have 3 complaints. Firstly, the service was either inexperienced, lazy, or overwhelmed. This is something I easily forgive when I think back to what I was like as a waitress, and all the people I kept waiting a stupid amount of time because, to be frank, I just plain sucked. Secondly, the chairs in this place are the most awkward, uncomfortable things my ass has ever experienced. They force you to sit at a sharp 90 degree angle, and I almost fell off onto the floor a couple times. Thirdly, there was a crazy woman sitting in the table next to me that would turn around and stare at me with bug eyes every time I talked. This has nothing to do with the restaurant, but it was really awkward and weird. So we're not off to a good start, and I was pretty sure I hated Studio Grill. Then the burgers came. Hot damn, those are some good burgers! So good. So, so so good. I will happily sit in a torture chair with a mentally ill woman staring at me like she is going to kidnap me all day if it means I can eat that burger again.
(4)
John W.
I will give it another shot but not yet a fan. I went on a Sunday and was the oldest person by far. Super! Places that cater to college crowds frequently have more interesting foods, thus the vegan options. I had the black bean burger that had two wonderful vegan onion rings on it. Then instead of using veganaise it was doused with spicy barbeque sauce which completely overwhelmed the other flavors. Sad. Our waitress promised to bring water three times before she actually did and by then we were almost done. The restaurant doesn't have an outer door so everytime the door opens (every two minutes) a blast of arctic air blows in. Sad thing is that they have the space to put a canvass door on the outside to create a wind break. For some odd reason they have granny quilts and purses hung for sale all over the walls. Now, I'm not knocking the quilts and bags but this doesn't really fit the crowd. I think they'd do better to find another kind of art. All that said, the priced were fair and the menu was interesting. I will give it another try on a more pleasant day.
(3)
Neil D.
Every time I go here I get great service and great burgers. The rusty nail is a safe bet every time, all and all it is wonderful place and I highly recommend going when your in the area.
(5)
Brian B.
Amazing burgers. Very alternative. Definitely worth the stop if visiting Kalamazoo. One of the best burger places I have been. Very creative and tasty.
(5)
Sharlee C.
The BEST burger I have ever had! My husband and I were silent the entire time we ate it was that good. I had the BBQ cheddar burger and it was delicious!
(5)
Jacqueline H.
LOVE this place! Order breakfast or a burger and you can't go wrong. They also offer a student discount!!!
(5)
Josh M.
The Studio Grill is my favorite place for breakfast in Kalamazoo. The food, though familiar, is far from cookie-cutter and most of it has the touch of a unique, personal recipe for a dish. Whatever you order has a great made-from-scratch feel like it didn't just get thrown off a line but came from the hands of a chef. I would call them "vegetarian/vegan" friendly but they're not a "vegetarian restaurant" by any means. One of their specialties are hash/scramble style breakfasts where basically you have an array of items composed as a single dish. One of my favorites is the "Morning Madness," which is basically a fancified biscuits and gravy. They add two eggs and cheese plus bacon on top. Let me give you a tip however - I've had it the traditional menu way but sub out the bacon for chorizo. The extra spice really brings out the flavor of the whole dish and takes it to another level. One of my family's favorite things about the Studio Grill is the pancake add-on. If you get an entree, you can add two pancakes for $2.50. This is a great deal because not only are the pancakes generous in size but they are some of the best I've had. They're simple with a bit of powdered sugar but absolutely fantastic. If you're eating with a guest, it's perfectly reasonable to get one order and share. The portions are full and the food filling. You won't leave hungry. The decor and ambiance is enjoyable. They cover the walls in local art (hence the "studio") but the overall vibe is still that of a nice, neighborhood diner. It feels and looks like the sort of place you think of when you envision a modern, urban breakfast out. There's a little bit of "coffee shop" to it. I confess to only having visited for breakfast. I look forward to going back and trying lunch. It's a great place to eat in the morning, especially if you want a place with its own twist on classic American breakfast fare.
(5)
Kathy O.
I read the reviews on Yelp and thought I'd try the burgers. I had the pineapple burger and it was delicious. Everyone was friendly and the owner came by to ensure everything was okay. I'm a fan.
(4)
Gabby G.
This place is AMAZING! I will come back here any time I'm in Kalamazoo. They have the most incredible burgers stuffed with X amount of stuff. Even the vegan black bean burger was great! Definitely one of the best burger places I've been to.
(5)
Kara M.
Their menu says they're the "most unique restaurant in Kalamazoo." I don't know if this is true, but we went in on a day when they were switching up their art so there was nothing on the walls. Maybe that would have made the difference. It looked to me like an ordinary restaurant with a fairly ordinary menu: pancakes, omelets, salads, burgers. The service was very friendly, the food came very slowly, and when it got to us, it was fine. Nothing special (except for the awesome fries), good for the price. So why two stars? Something fairly appalling happened when we were in today. I ordered their special avocado burger. The waitress told me it the patty was stuffed with onions. As I don't like onions, I asked for a regular patty instead. She said no problem. My food arrived. I cut my burger in half and lifted it up to bite into it. Onions. I was sad about this because I didn't have enough time to wait for a new burger to be cooked but was super relieved when the waitress came running out, said she had given me the wrong burger, and placed the correct burger in front of me. I was very pleased with this. Now this is where it gets weird. Someone else (the owner maybe?) came to the table right next to us and said something to the woman sitting there about how she had accidentally cut her burger in half because she thought she needed to share it then realized her mistake and the woman could either have a burger cut in half or wait for a new burger. The woman said she'd take the halved burger. The waitress then brought out MY BURGER. Now, I don't know if they changed the bun and the fries or what, but I had touched that bun and eaten some of the fries off that plate. This was so bizarre to me and SURELY against some kind of health code. I get that everyone makes mistakes, and they were probably in quite the pickle having given the wrong burger to a customer, but this can't be the right solution.
(2)
Eva H.
Love this place! Vegan pancakes and friendly staff! I always always always get the vegan texas tank with an addition of pineapple, unless the pancake special seems super interesting. And the sweet potato fries! Oh my gosh! yum yum yum yum yum yum yum
(5)
Irina F.
If I didn't found this place on Yelp, I would most likely passed it by. Great place if you are on looking for a place to eat. Nothing fancy but the food is good. Chef comes out of the kitchen once ins while to add a personal touch and check on the customers. Glad I found it. P.S. Wi-Fi would be helpful there.
(5)
Tiffany H.
Since returning to my beloved hometown, after a 20-yr hiatus, I've been on the quest to find some new favorites in the restaurant category. Let me say that the Studio Grill fits the bill!! In for breakfast on a weekday, I threw caution to the wind and asked the waiter to bring me his favorite dish. I was presented with a plate of 3 blueberry muffin pancakes along with the suggestion to hold off on the syrup so that I could take in all of their golden deliciousness. I took a bite, and OMG - so good, so comforting! The blueberries were plump and plentiful, accompanied by what I'm pretty sure were mini white-chocolate chips. The combo worked, though the chips weren't soft and so there was a bit of a crunch to the pancakes (a minor deduction). Flavor-wise, all was good. I will be bringing the fam in to continue to try the other items on the menu for sure! Pricing is fair for Kalamazoo, but better than good when the 20% discount for students is utilized. So yes, I feel confident of my 4-star rating based on pancakes alone. The vibe here is chill and the commentary from the police officers enjoying their meal made for an interesting start to my day. I'll definitely be back!
(4)
Adam S.
Note: This is a Breakfast & Lunch place only. They close at 3pm most days. The service here is excellent, and the food is a new twist on old favorites. I especially like the pineapple burger. It has a serrano pepper sauce that adds a kick to complement the sweet tang of the pineapple. They also have a variety of vegetarian and vegan offerings. The decor is pleasant, with an old 'mom 'n pop' feel to the furniture. They have art from local artists for display (and sale) on their walls. I'll have to stop by the place for breakfast one of these days. The pineapple French toast sounds quite interesting...
(4)
Joy M.
Rotating art gets my attention immediately but the food kept it longer #localfavorite
(5)
Kelly C.
I love this place! The food is phenomenal every time. The waitstaff is friendly though there is one who is a little out there but mostly harmless. The owners are just excellent and make sure that patrons are happy with their visit. I wish they were open later however.
(5)
Danielle F.
I recently started working downtown, so I got lunch to go from Studio Grill...and it was SO yummy! I got the Kalafornia Reuben...and the bread was grilled just right! A little bit toasty, and not soggy at all (which can happen with take out)...and the fries were still crisp and hot. This will definitely be one of my regular places for lunch now.
(4)
Diane K.
Food was above average, but staff was nitpicky. I brought in a coupon that stated if you buy any breakfast you get one for free, which was what I originally planned on ordering. I asked the waitress if I could get lunch and my son could get the breakfast for free. I was told no and that the coupon had to be followed as written. However, as a business owner myself, I thought this was a silly rule. Why? Because I would have spent $8.00 on lunch and I ended up spending $6 on breakfast, so the restaurant could have made $2 breaking the rule. Very silly!
(2)
J F.
Fist time here...had the 5 Alarm omelette. It was fantastic. Just the right amount of heat. Ended up buying a bottle of their Serrano Sauce to take home.
(5)
Sarah P.
My parents have loved this place forever, and I was finally able to stop in for lunch this past week. I had a fried chicken wrap; delicious chicken, a great chipotle ranch sauce with cheese and a ton of fresh veggies. The wrap had a great crunch to it, and the flavor was great. The fries that came with it were so fantastic, exactly as another reviewer describes them, I would go back for those alone. The service was timely and friendly, and one of the owners came out to check on us while we were there, as well. I will definitely be going back to try their breakfast options and the burgers everyone else loves so much!
(4)
Adonis P.
Studio Grill is definitely a community gem!! Located downtown, you could almost walk right past it if you weren't paying attention. As soon as you walk in you'll notice the laid back vibe as you're warmly greeted by the staff. The decor is a mashup of old school country kitchen and bohemian art deco, that really works well. Walls are covered with ever changing art from local artists and is for sale! The owners work everyday and are very friendly and accommodating. The staff is all smiles and usually on point! The food! Best. Burgers. Downtown. PERIOD. The breakfasts look fantastic also although admittedly I havent had one yet. They come highly recommended according to my co-workers! Bottom line - you'd be doing yourself a disfavor by skipping this spot. Stop in a make your belly happy!! Try the Bronco Burger!!
(4)
Matt S.
We were visiting the Children's Museum and chanced upon this local restaurant. The staff was incredibly friendly. The owner and cook stopped by to make sure everything was fine. The kids had pancakes and ate every bit. My wife had the "classic"burger which was stuffed with mushrooms and cheese. I had the Blue Cheese stuffed burger. Both were excellent---great quality meat and cooked just right. Great atmosphere and food. Would go here again.
(4)
Brendon C.
Charming little restaurant. Had the vegan black bean burger. Tasted great but was very messy! Fries were good, didn't know they had a sweet potato option. 100% vegan friendly, as far as they say (they even said they had separate friers for the meat vs veg food). Art was nice, atmosphere quiet. Good place to take a friend but probably not a big party. Seemed pretty informal but the staff was nice!
(4)
Kim N.
Ate here while on vacation and staying at the Radisson. Casual cafe vibe with lots of art on the walls. Great menu for breakfast and low prices. We had biscuits and gravy (ask if you don't see them on the menu) and the 5 Alarm omelette (added mushrooms). Omelette came with american fries and toast. Biscuits and gravy didn't come with anything, but you could add things if you wanted for an additional cost. Both meals were outstanding. Homemade bread was used for the toast (and I think homemade jam). Decent coffee, but not remarkable (they have a full espresso drink menu, too). Total was $14.00 without tip. Cheap! Next time I'm all over the Hawaiian French toast. Owner came out of the kitchen to check on all the tables, which adds some points. The only possible fault I could possibly think of is that I added mushrooms to my omelette and they were canned, but I can deal with that in an otherwise great breakfast. Our friends are traveling to Kzoo in the spring and we are going to recommend they eat breakfast here.
(4)
Gary S.
It's hard to imagine a breakfast place better than the Studio Grill. Good food, good service and good prices. Craig is always experimenting and he works until he gets it right.
(5)
Dawn P.
Great vegetarian options and nice staff.
(4)
Jeff L.
I had heard that this place was a new vegan restaurant in Kalamazoo, and I was really excited because: 1. This is totally new to the area where I live, and 2. I like to eat healthy and love vegetarian cuisine when it is done well. I will say that the service was exceptional. The food was not. In fact it wasn't even vegetarian (let alone, vegan). The owner/cook/server informed us that she can prepare anything on the menu as vegetarian or vegan, but almost all of their dishes contained meat, and didn't even sound appetizing. In all reality it is a greasy spoon that is only open for breakfast and lunch. That being said, I will say that the food was ok, but nothing great. This place seems like a great place to go get a greasy breakfast after a hard night of drinking. And it is wicked CHEAP. I don't remember seeing a menu item over $8.
(3)
Terral A.
Three of us made a stop at the Studio Grill in Downtown Kalamazoo this weekend and we were not disappointed. This small restaurant rescued my taste buds from all of the boring places that had be to in the last few months. The menu is awesome with everything made fresh. My wife had the Vegetarian Panini, I had the Corned Beef Panini, and my friend had the Sweet and Spicy Pineapple stuffed burger. All of our meals were delicious, and we will be back for more. There is no alcohol served here, but you soon forget since you are in food heaven. My Corned Beef Panini was custom made with a jalapeno wrap, and I had them add jalapeno slices to spice it up. This sandwich served hot is now one of my favorites in SW Michigan. The hand cut fries were great, but I think that I will try the hand cut sweet potato fries on my next visit. The only disappointing thing about my visit to the Studio Grill is that they were out of the home-made hummus. Another couple that came in also wanted the hummus but there were out at the time. The Studio Grill in downtown Kalamazoo is close to the Raddison and should not be overlooked for a good meal. They are open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and should not be overlooked.
The Studio Grill has a surprisingly varied menu for such a small place. The owners are incredibly nice and made our visit very pleasant. My husband had the Raspberry Chicken Salad Wrap with fries. I just had an iced latter. The coffee drink was good, as was the sandwich (I had a few bites). The only criticism is that the cooler must have ben really cranked up because the chicken chunks were partially frozen. The flavor was very good, though. The fries were amazing--fresh and hot, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. I'd go back just for the French fries.
(3)
Don C.
Good and kinda cheap. It gives Food Dance a little competition. Which is good for the consumer.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Breakfast, Brunch Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Alicia S.
Studio Grill, How did I know not know about your awesomeness until now? You are such a gem in Kzoo! The menu is very unique and even a little entertaining to read. It covers all of the bases- the breakfast list is vast and they have a wide lunch/dinner selection as well. When we came there was a small wait because they had a full house (it's a smaller space). I picked right up on the fact that they have a loyal breakfast following in around town. I haven't been here for lunch yet, but I nearly ordered a lunch dish for breakfast because it sounded so good. The prices are great and the quality is excellent. Our waited was very attentive and the manager*(owner?) came right over during our meal and asked us how everything was. Not a single person out of our group of 7 left unsatisfied. I will definitely be back. Seal of approvals: Their Serrano Sauce. This is awesome with their omelets. Spicy! Watch out. Raspberry jam with cinnamon toast for the win.
(5)Sherry H.
WOW-WOW-WOW!!! Words can't even begin to describe their hamburgers!!! Hands down these are the "BEST" hamburgers ever! Absolutely to die for!! If you are looking to eat a mouth watering delicious hamburger this is your place! My first bite was like an explosion in my mouth of the greatest hamburger I have ever eaten!! Thick and juicy! Grilled to perfection, outrageously flavorful and piled high! Their hamburgers stand out way above all others!! Exquisite!! Customer service was outstanding. Manger even came by our table to check on us and make sure everything was ok. Amazing doesn't even begin to describe just how good these hamburgers are. It's a powerful hamburger so watch out you will be hooked! It's a shame I live in Texas .... too far way from a hamburger that is out of this world!!
(5)Jenny L.
all burgers should be stuffed. you can get the Serrano sauce on the side so you can control your own heat.
(5)Michael H.
They make great tasting food and the food prices are extremely reasonable. It's also a nice alternative to Crow's Nest when CN's line is down the stairs and out the door, while you can be sat at Studio Grill in about 5 minutes at the same exact time that crow's nest is slammed. They have good service, but I have two bits of criticism. Sometimes management will want to critique their servers while out on the floor and that can be a little polarizing especially for former restaurant employees/management majors who had abusive managers at restaurants they used to work at, like me. I'd suggest having those types of conversations in the back room away from your patrons. My second criticism is that if I want a to-go cup of coffee, I'm quoted an additional 50 cents to pay for the to-go cup, then they assess sales tax on the to-go cup. I think that's a little on the Nickel-and-dime side of things. Their food prices are extremely affordable. One would think they could figure out a way to recoup their to-go coffee cup expenses with just a marginal increase in their menu prices.
(4)Ed R.
Had a nice and simple breakfast - no frills - just good food, hot coffee, and attentive service. I'm looking forward to my next stop there!
(4)Daryl M.
The lunch and breakfast menus are both really great here! I think their burgers are some of the best in town for sure!
(5)Ann R.
I order a avocado hamburger and got a small slice of avocado and dried up hamburger with a lot of mayo. It taste gross , then when I called to complain the owner said to come back and we will give you more avocado. I don't think so why would I go back for more gross food with no taste! Never go there!
(1)Elise P.
Went there for a unit staff lunch, and everything was great! We made a reservation and pre-ordered, everything went amazingly smoothly. They had out spot saved (a BIG table during the lunch rush!), quickly dropped off drinks and food a few minutes after arriving, and checked in on us and cleared quickly. They had our individual checks ready to go as well. The service was outstanding. I had the more olive burger, which was amazing. As an olive lover (okay, and burger lover...), I can never get enough olives. The burger really had a homemade- not frozen- taste. Fries were great too. i can't wait to come back and try more of the unique burgers, plus onion rings!
(5)Andrew F.
This review is only 4 stars because I've only been once. I will have to wait for potential revisions (down or up, but probably up!) after visiting again. MAN this place was good! Everyone really enjoyed their meals, and the menu just seemed to feature hit after hit of tasty sounding things. My group went for breakfast, and I got the feature of the day, a Harvest Hash that had seasonal apples and some potatoes and other goodies I can't quite recall right now but it was a unique offering and it was really good. I generally am big on service, and this place was a standout. Our server (I'm sorry I forgot your name!) was really sweet and her attitude was generally excited to be there. It really seemed like everyone that worked there enjoyed what they were doing and was happy to be a part of a great restaurant experience. Can't wait to make my next breakfast date here!
(4)Ben M.
Stuffed burgers... Holy Jesus, their burgers are amazing. Hard to choose which one to order. I usually get the olive burger, which is bar far the best in town, and I have literally have eaten an olive burger everywhere.
(5)Ashley S.
One of my favorite breakfast places in Kalamazoo! Plus they have an amazing lunch menu but I can't get myself past the blueberry muffin pancakes! This restaurant is super vegetarian and vegan friendly! The staff is always friendly and helpful. I love coming in here because they know me by name! Also a sweet coffee spot downtown!
(5)Aditi T.
Studio Grill, I wanted nothing more than to like you. However, it seems like you just weren't feeling the love (this basically could apply to all my relationships, but let's not go there). I came in on a Monday with my mum for lunch and was super excited about the food because my brother had talked the place up beyond comparison. I got the rusty nail burger and I'm not sure it met any of my expectations. Pros: + Great service, super friendly, super polite + Amaze Cajun fries + All their burgers come medium-well + The range of items on their menu! + The pesto burger(!!!) + Gluten-free buns! + Giant portions Cons: - The rusty nail burger was dry #majorsadface - Honestly, for as good as it looked on the menu, it didn't taste great. - The chili was sweet and majorly lacked salt. Bottom line: I think I might have picked the wrong two items on the menu because my mum's pesto burger was amazing. I'll definitely give it another try, but I won't raving about Studio Grill any time soon.
(3)Jason B.
Studio Grill was my 2nd choice. I was planning a drive through southwest Michigan and did a little burger research and found the MLive state-wide burger competition. I really wanted to try Laura's Little Burger Joint, but they were closed......and for once, I was happy with that. Studio Grill was great. Absolutely great. I had the Ashley Burger, with pulled pork inside the burger patty...it was incredible. The burger quality was great, the pulled pork was great, the bun was great and it was cheap. Plus the service was awesome. I really like this place and I'll have a hard time passing this up any time I'm in the area.
(5)Nicole V.
Mr. MVP and I read and re-read all the positive reviews about Studio Grill on Yelp and were immediately curious about this gluten free, vegetarian, local breakfast spot. When we arrived at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday morning Mr. MVP decided he was going to try out their award winning burgers, but I planned on sticking with breakfast. The Team VP line had been drawn. We sat down at the bar and I knew we were in trouble when I ordered a cup of coffee and the incredibly friendly waitress could not tell me where their coffee comes from. She did brew me a fresh pot of decaf, however, so that was ultra kind of her. The weird part was when I asked for cream, she handed me one tiny 1/4 teaspoon pack of half and half. When I asked for more, she gave me one more. I actually had to ask for a handful. Apparently at Studio Grill half and half is an expensive commodity. The menu was unique and included items that Team VP would never eat, but must work for Studio Grill. A burger with peanut butter and a burger with grape jam were the two that really stuck out to us. Stuffed burgers seemed to really be popular menu items as well. What was nice about the menu, was that listed between all that weirdness was an option to build your own burger and omelette. As the burgers were listed as made fresh every day and never frozen - the sweet potato fries were also listed the same way - Mr. MVP ordered a burger with an egg and accompanying vegetables. I had an omelette with tomato, green pepper, mushrooms, and mozzarella. My omelette tried. The egg was cooked properly, but the green pepper was mushy. The mushrooms were salty and there were just three small bits of mealy tomato in the entire omelette. The potatoes on the side, which I tasted, but did not eat, were cooked well. Mr. MVP said his burger was okay. Positively not award winning, however. The egg was way overcooked and the bun was obviously not homemade. Although we are certainly more picky than a normal diner, Mr. MVP did comment more than once that the sweet potato fries tasted like they came directly out of the freezer. Remember, Team VP eats a completely organic and preservative free diet, so as I am sitting here writing this review three hours after we ate, my stomach is not happy. Studio Grill is a greasy spoon. Our bill was $20 before the tip, which is actually pretty pricey for a non-organic, non-local meal. I can imagine Studio Grill would be perfect for the early morning crowd fending off side effects of too much alcohol the night before, but for Team VP, we will not be back.
(2)Colin A.
Stopped into Studio Grill on a whim after our first two breakfast/brunch choices had lines out the door. Wow -- I am glad we ended up here. It's a small diner-style establishment near a strip of downtown that was otherwise deserted on a Sunday morning. Service was excellent; we were greeted by several waitstaff and the owner! One of my companions had the "secret" French toast, which was delectable (I won't spoil it for potential new customers). French toast is great and all -- but the real star of this breakfast was the roasted chicken pesto omelette. Holy amazeballs. Delightfully fluffy eggs, a little bit of spinach, and some of the best pesto I've ever tasted blanketed over grilled chicken chunks...I am salivating just writing this review. Kudos to Studio Grill for making me a fan. On our next trip to Kalamazoo, I will definitely return!
(4)Keshia D.
I love this place. The staff is wonderful and the food is terrific. If you are vegan or vegetarian they have a lot of options for you to eat. Try their burgers and onion rings! Breakfast is phenomenal.. Mmm pancakes! Also they have coffee options. I always get a chai latte that serves me well.
(5)Dee B.
4.5 stars The Studio Grill is my new favorite breakfast place in Kalamazoo. The price points are very reasonable, and the food was very good. I've realized that I'm not necessarily a fan of fluffy omelettes, so I really enjoyed the omelette I had here. One issue I did have was with the potatoes - they were not at all seasoned. Service was friendly and very prompt (although I'll point out we were here at a slow time - about 10am on a Monday). The waitress even mentioned that the AC vent might bother me (there were plenty of open tables we could have moved to), and that they could cover it with cardboard if I found it to be too drafty or cold. The owner stopped by to check on us, and when we left, everyone gave a hearty farewell.
(5)Megan S.
Happened upon this place while in town for a wedding and man we were not disappointed! Most of the table got breakfast food but my boyfriend and I decided to share the sausage hash and then the Canyon burger and oh my gosh I'm so glad we did!! The burger was the most perfect combination of unique flavors! The breakfast dishes were all wonderful too as was the homemade jelly! When I find myself in Kalamazoo again I will definitely be venturing back!
(5)Bickers B.
After seeing them ranked one of Michigan's best breakfast places on Thrillist.com , I decided to to give them a go. It was not at all busy but still took 10 minutes for someone to take my order. The waitress was friendly but very chatty with the rest of the staff. In fact, I know way more about her life than I care to. Finally got waited on and ordered an omelet. I forget what it was called. Asked them to leave off the onions. When I took a bite... onions. At this point I tried to get her attention but she and the other wait staff were back to talking. I decided to go ahead and eat it because I was starving. It was OK. I just don't understand how they got on the top 10 list. I doubt I will go back. If you want really good food try Crows Nest. They also take awhile to get waited on but the food is amazing. Or if you want amazing service and fantastic breakfast food, go to Food Dance. Or you could walk down the street to Theo and Stacys. The quality is about the same but you actually get service. Step it up Studio Grill. You have a beautiful restaurant. Train those wait staff and get a new cook!
(2)Cher C.
Here for a one day trip and went to Yelp for some help deciding where to grab lunch. Called and ordered a burger for take out here. Prompt service and the staff was super friendly! Food tasted great!
(4)Jessica I.
Great local place with a busy and friendly staff and delicious food. It's not fancy or gourmet, but everything is really well executed. To wit - my omelet was crammed with perfectly sauteed veggies, the eggs were fluffy, and my side of hash browns was that nice amalgam of crispy and tender. My husband got biscuits and gravy with eggs, and once again everything was very nicely done. There's a reason for the line out the door on weekends and the stacks of regulars chatting with the owner before, during and after their meals. Good place.
(4)Scott L.
Awesome as usual. I had the Lee's Classic and my friend had the Canyon both amazing.
(5)Jay S.
Another of the great little places in downtown Kalamazoo to have lunch. The Studio Grill was all about character, great food, great staff and very reasonable prices. The staff were a delight, and had the best traditional club sandwiches that I have had in a long time. Will definitely go back again and again.
(5)Taia H.
An amazing breakfast! They are very accommodating to alternative diets including my vegan one! Offered many amazing choices. Try the strawberry or raspberry jam they make it in-house!
(5)Kevin W.
One of the best burgers I have ever had. I had the burger with jalapeños, cheese, bacon, fried egg and jelly. The mix of spicy and sweet was great. I got the sweet potato fries with it. They were good, but not the best i have ever had. The service at the restaurant was great. They had free wifi too.
(5)Nathan C.
The restaurant is pretty small and parking is typical downtown street-side parking. When I first arrived, it seemed moderately and it wasn't 100% clear that it was a wait to be seated type of restaurant, but in a short period of time someone came to take my name. They indicated that it would be about a 10-15 minute wait and the gentleman suggested waiting next door at michigan news rather than crowding the front of the restaurant, which I did. The wait time was about 10 minutes and the gentleman came over to let me know the table was ready. The food was absolutely amazing, I had the pineapple sweet/spicy burger and it was definitely more on the spicy side but a great flavor and the pineapple did a great job of balancing out the spicy. After this experience, I can't wait to go back and try more items from their menu!
(5)Austin P.
Best burger in Kalamazoo hands down. Their breakfast isn't bad either.
(5)Sheri A.
The new chairs adds a nice touch. The other white chairs were cute but not so comfy. Good job Studio Grill. Please don't replace the checked tablecloths!!! Too cute
(5)Ken H.
I've been here twice for breakfast and cannot wait to go again. This is now one of my top three breakfast places in Kalamazoo. The staff was very friendly. A man (I think he was the owner) stopped by our table several times to check on us and banter a bit. I tried the Morning Skillet~ an opened faced omelet w/ sausage and American fries, and sausage gravy and melted Cheddar cheese. I added a side of two blueberry pancakes. Everything was delicious. Be sure to try the jelly. I'm told it is homemade. Both the strawberry and raspberry were great. On the downside, the space is small and there isn't really any type of waiting area. You may have to stand near tables while you are waiting, but the wait is worth it! I'm interested in going back for lunch to try one of the stuffed burgers that are getting such great reviews. Warning: The chairs are top heavy. Put a coat on the back of one and then stand up. You'll see what I mean. Actually, you probably shouldn't try that.
(5)john k.
Well, what a menu. It was obvious that someone has great passion for their creation, so when I saw a hamburger with grape jelly as a condiment.....grape jelly? Please if you eat at this restaurant, before you make your own personal adjustments to the product, give some respect to the cook and try things as designed. I am looking forward to my next visit !
(5)Swed S.
Black bean burger was on point. Decent portion sizes for a reasonable price. Wish they were open at night. This would make a great late night spot. They offer student discounts!
(5)Jeff A.
Food was delicious and the wait staff are great. I had breakfast, but will definitely come back for lunch. One downside was the cold air blowing on me from the floor AC. Everything was cooked to order and it came quickly. Very friendly place!
(4)Steve H.
Found this little diner on Yelp and glad we stopped in - the food was awesome. Great selection of burgers - had a burger stuffed with Chorizo and topped with a spicy chipotle pesto - YUM!
(5)Terese B.
We love the Studio Grill in beautiful downtown Kalamazoo! Today we went for breakfast, and although our wait was longer than usual, it was well worth it. My teenage son had the Morning Madness with a pancake on the side and devoured every bit of it. My husband loved the corned beef hash omelette and had leftovers to bring home. My usual breakfast order is their blueberry pancakes, which are always light, fluffy and loaded with juicy berries. We frequently choose Studio Grill for breakfast because of the homestyle cooking and the extremely friendly owners. Every time we've eaten there, Craig and/or Daphney have personally greeted us and asked our opinions on our food choices. We've had equally enjoyable experiences with their award-winning burgers for lunch and often recommend this place to friends and out-of-towners. It's a gem!
(5)Stefanie M.
This is a great breakfast restaurant! Amazing service and delicious food. We highly recommend their omelettes and the vegan pancakes!
(5)Julie D.
I tried this place after hearing great things from fellow Yelpers, and I'm so glad I did! The first thing I have to comment on is the atmosphere: the waitstaff and owner ALL greeted me, not just the waitress assigned to our table (the same on my way out- I heard at least four goodbyes!). The place is small and homey, with a variety of really interesting, local, eclectic art on the walls. Our waitress was friendly, knowledgable, and funny, and spoke to us with an air of familiarity, like we were friends she was having over for breakfast, not just customers at her job. The menu has all the usual breakfast stuff, but with a lot of house specialties that sound amazing. The prices are cheap, the coffee was good, and the food was tasty. There are only 2 reasons this gets 4 instead of 5 stars. First, service was kinda slow between when we finished eating and when we got our bills, which seemed strange to me during a Saturday morning breakfast rush. Second, the chairs are really uncomfortable- enough for me to notice and comment on! Their burgers are supposedly amazing. I will definitely come back and give them a try!
(4)George G.
Excellent breakfast spot. Crispy bacon, delicious home fries, and sublime jam for the toast. Will be back to try the pancakes and omelettes. Great location right by the courthouse, easy to stop in between hearings. Friendly staff and quick service.
(4)Missy M.
The Cheers of Kalamazoo. Great food , great crew, great owners. They will be calling you by name after a few visits. Creative comfort food. You must try the Blueberry Muffin Pancakes. Even if they are not on the menu. Love this place!
(5)Jody B.
Great breakfast. Great coffee. Super friendly staff. Free wi-fi. What more could you ask for?
(5)M B.
Solid breakfast and lunch choice downtown. Friendly service to boost. The burgers and pancakes are my go to options here.
(4)Jeff D.
(Originally from 1/7/2012) I'm from Portland, OR. I'm a food snob. If you think the episode of "Portlandia" where everyone is standing in line for breakfast is a joke, you don't understand how seriously Portland hipsters take b'fast. That said, this place would be right at home in P-town! Good food, fantastic staff, and a nice way to start the morning. Not that I plan on visiting Kalamazoo again any time soon, but if I do, I'll be back to Studio Grill for breakfast. Was this review ...?
(4)Sarah S.
I can't put in words how delicious their food is. You have to experience it for yourself. Today was my first time dining here, and I would love to make it a "once a week" stop from now on. Sooo good!
(5)c f.
Just. Perfect. Diverse menu. Quality food. Good value for money and super-helpful, friendly staff. As an out- of-towner, I felt very at home. Vegan and gluten-free options available.
(5)Heather D.
Best stuffed burgers I have ever had. The place is cute and cozy, I highly recommend it.
(5)Peter Z.
I just had my third visit to Studio Grill, and I've sampled all three of their strong suits: Breakfast, Lunch, and Vegetarian food. All are winners. This place is a gem! First visit: lunch. I had the Mark's Pesto Burger -- fresh spinach and cheddar stuffed inside a fresh beef burger, topped with house-made pesto, bacon, and Swiss cheese. It was as gorgeous as it was scrumptious. House-cut fries were super good and stayed crispy. Their house-made chipotle sauce was great to dip fries in. Second visit: breakfast. I ordered the Morning Madness (a special: biscuits topped with eggs over easy, American cheese, bacon, and sausage gravy). Super filling, and not remotely dainty. Side of cajun fries -- tasty, but not as good as the regular fries. Third visit: vegan lunch. I ordered the Vegan Texas Tank burger - a veggie burger from Ope's (a local vegan food business) topped with house-made vegan chili and house-made hummus. Very tasty, and very hearty. Side of sweet potato fries. These, I learned, are not cut on-site like the other fries. Good, but still can't compare to their regular fries. Every time I've been there the service has been excellent -- speedy, friendly, and well-informed. I've also been checked upon every time by a gentleman who seems to be the owner. Clearly, these folks care. It seems like a number of businesses have occupied this location in the last decade. Studio Grill has been there for almost three years and I hope they stay for a long time. Obligatory negative comment: I'd love to eat here for dinner or late-night, but they're open for breakfast and lunch only.
(5)Daniel D.
Went because it was voted the best burger in Kalamazoo. I would say it's the best burger in Michigan. Lots of non-traditional burger choices including vegan. I got the Watson -burger stuffed with chorizo, topped with pepper jack cheese and chipotle pesto- and added a fried egg. It was brilliantly cooked and served on a perfectly toasted bun - a detail a lot of places overlook. I can't wait to go back and try the peanut butter bacon burger. I simply must have one!
(5)Alyssa M.
Loved the Serrano sauce and homemade strawberry jam! Reasonably priced, great service, and great food!
(5)Marino C.
Best burger I have ever tried in my life. Watson or Ashley Burgers top of my list. Nothing else to say.
(5)Karen K.
The owners are wonderful people! The food is great and so is the service. There is always something new to try when I come here. It's one of my favorite places to take visitors of Kalamazoo and they always love it! I wish they were open later!
(5)Dirk H.
Waited 20 minutes for seat to open up, but not a big deal. Waited 35 min. For breakfast sandwich and Cuban sandwich. Food was delicious and made up for the wait. Very friendly service and worthy of return.
(4)Matt D.
If I could give this place 6 stars I would. I had just moved to the Kalamazoo area when I first stopped by Studio Grill. The waiter welcomed me to the city and even the owner came out and said hi. I felt so at home! Both of them were friendly, attentive, and made great recommendations on what to eat. I have read a couple of reviews about some not-so-good wait service, but whoever this guy was...he was a pro. I went for lunch all the times I have been to Studio Grill and have enjoyed every experience. My favorites are their stuffed burgers.
(5)Christine U.
Amazing burgers! Highly recommend this place. The only disappointment was that we were too full to try the ice cream!
(5)Jenny K.
I went here for lunch on a Wednesday, and I have 3 complaints. Firstly, the service was either inexperienced, lazy, or overwhelmed. This is something I easily forgive when I think back to what I was like as a waitress, and all the people I kept waiting a stupid amount of time because, to be frank, I just plain sucked. Secondly, the chairs in this place are the most awkward, uncomfortable things my ass has ever experienced. They force you to sit at a sharp 90 degree angle, and I almost fell off onto the floor a couple times. Thirdly, there was a crazy woman sitting in the table next to me that would turn around and stare at me with bug eyes every time I talked. This has nothing to do with the restaurant, but it was really awkward and weird. So we're not off to a good start, and I was pretty sure I hated Studio Grill. Then the burgers came. Hot damn, those are some good burgers! So good. So, so so good. I will happily sit in a torture chair with a mentally ill woman staring at me like she is going to kidnap me all day if it means I can eat that burger again.
(4)John W.
I will give it another shot but not yet a fan. I went on a Sunday and was the oldest person by far. Super! Places that cater to college crowds frequently have more interesting foods, thus the vegan options. I had the black bean burger that had two wonderful vegan onion rings on it. Then instead of using veganaise it was doused with spicy barbeque sauce which completely overwhelmed the other flavors. Sad. Our waitress promised to bring water three times before she actually did and by then we were almost done. The restaurant doesn't have an outer door so everytime the door opens (every two minutes) a blast of arctic air blows in. Sad thing is that they have the space to put a canvass door on the outside to create a wind break. For some odd reason they have granny quilts and purses hung for sale all over the walls. Now, I'm not knocking the quilts and bags but this doesn't really fit the crowd. I think they'd do better to find another kind of art. All that said, the priced were fair and the menu was interesting. I will give it another try on a more pleasant day.
(3)Neil D.
Every time I go here I get great service and great burgers. The rusty nail is a safe bet every time, all and all it is wonderful place and I highly recommend going when your in the area.
(5)Brian B.
Amazing burgers. Very alternative. Definitely worth the stop if visiting Kalamazoo. One of the best burger places I have been. Very creative and tasty.
(5)Sharlee C.
The BEST burger I have ever had! My husband and I were silent the entire time we ate it was that good. I had the BBQ cheddar burger and it was delicious!
(5)Jacqueline H.
LOVE this place! Order breakfast or a burger and you can't go wrong. They also offer a student discount!!!
(5)Josh M.
The Studio Grill is my favorite place for breakfast in Kalamazoo. The food, though familiar, is far from cookie-cutter and most of it has the touch of a unique, personal recipe for a dish. Whatever you order has a great made-from-scratch feel like it didn't just get thrown off a line but came from the hands of a chef. I would call them "vegetarian/vegan" friendly but they're not a "vegetarian restaurant" by any means. One of their specialties are hash/scramble style breakfasts where basically you have an array of items composed as a single dish. One of my favorites is the "Morning Madness," which is basically a fancified biscuits and gravy. They add two eggs and cheese plus bacon on top. Let me give you a tip however - I've had it the traditional menu way but sub out the bacon for chorizo. The extra spice really brings out the flavor of the whole dish and takes it to another level. One of my family's favorite things about the Studio Grill is the pancake add-on. If you get an entree, you can add two pancakes for $2.50. This is a great deal because not only are the pancakes generous in size but they are some of the best I've had. They're simple with a bit of powdered sugar but absolutely fantastic. If you're eating with a guest, it's perfectly reasonable to get one order and share. The portions are full and the food filling. You won't leave hungry. The decor and ambiance is enjoyable. They cover the walls in local art (hence the "studio") but the overall vibe is still that of a nice, neighborhood diner. It feels and looks like the sort of place you think of when you envision a modern, urban breakfast out. There's a little bit of "coffee shop" to it. I confess to only having visited for breakfast. I look forward to going back and trying lunch. It's a great place to eat in the morning, especially if you want a place with its own twist on classic American breakfast fare.
(5)Kathy O.
I read the reviews on Yelp and thought I'd try the burgers. I had the pineapple burger and it was delicious. Everyone was friendly and the owner came by to ensure everything was okay. I'm a fan.
(4)Gabby G.
This place is AMAZING! I will come back here any time I'm in Kalamazoo. They have the most incredible burgers stuffed with X amount of stuff. Even the vegan black bean burger was great! Definitely one of the best burger places I've been to.
(5)Kara M.
Their menu says they're the "most unique restaurant in Kalamazoo." I don't know if this is true, but we went in on a day when they were switching up their art so there was nothing on the walls. Maybe that would have made the difference. It looked to me like an ordinary restaurant with a fairly ordinary menu: pancakes, omelets, salads, burgers. The service was very friendly, the food came very slowly, and when it got to us, it was fine. Nothing special (except for the awesome fries), good for the price. So why two stars? Something fairly appalling happened when we were in today. I ordered their special avocado burger. The waitress told me it the patty was stuffed with onions. As I don't like onions, I asked for a regular patty instead. She said no problem. My food arrived. I cut my burger in half and lifted it up to bite into it. Onions. I was sad about this because I didn't have enough time to wait for a new burger to be cooked but was super relieved when the waitress came running out, said she had given me the wrong burger, and placed the correct burger in front of me. I was very pleased with this. Now this is where it gets weird. Someone else (the owner maybe?) came to the table right next to us and said something to the woman sitting there about how she had accidentally cut her burger in half because she thought she needed to share it then realized her mistake and the woman could either have a burger cut in half or wait for a new burger. The woman said she'd take the halved burger. The waitress then brought out MY BURGER. Now, I don't know if they changed the bun and the fries or what, but I had touched that bun and eaten some of the fries off that plate. This was so bizarre to me and SURELY against some kind of health code. I get that everyone makes mistakes, and they were probably in quite the pickle having given the wrong burger to a customer, but this can't be the right solution.
(2)Eva H.
Love this place! Vegan pancakes and friendly staff! I always always always get the vegan texas tank with an addition of pineapple, unless the pancake special seems super interesting. And the sweet potato fries! Oh my gosh! yum yum yum yum yum yum yum
(5)Irina F.
If I didn't found this place on Yelp, I would most likely passed it by. Great place if you are on looking for a place to eat. Nothing fancy but the food is good. Chef comes out of the kitchen once ins while to add a personal touch and check on the customers. Glad I found it. P.S. Wi-Fi would be helpful there.
(5)Tiffany H.
Since returning to my beloved hometown, after a 20-yr hiatus, I've been on the quest to find some new favorites in the restaurant category. Let me say that the Studio Grill fits the bill!! In for breakfast on a weekday, I threw caution to the wind and asked the waiter to bring me his favorite dish. I was presented with a plate of 3 blueberry muffin pancakes along with the suggestion to hold off on the syrup so that I could take in all of their golden deliciousness. I took a bite, and OMG - so good, so comforting! The blueberries were plump and plentiful, accompanied by what I'm pretty sure were mini white-chocolate chips. The combo worked, though the chips weren't soft and so there was a bit of a crunch to the pancakes (a minor deduction). Flavor-wise, all was good. I will be bringing the fam in to continue to try the other items on the menu for sure! Pricing is fair for Kalamazoo, but better than good when the 20% discount for students is utilized. So yes, I feel confident of my 4-star rating based on pancakes alone. The vibe here is chill and the commentary from the police officers enjoying their meal made for an interesting start to my day. I'll definitely be back!
(4)Adam S.
Note: This is a Breakfast & Lunch place only. They close at 3pm most days. The service here is excellent, and the food is a new twist on old favorites. I especially like the pineapple burger. It has a serrano pepper sauce that adds a kick to complement the sweet tang of the pineapple. They also have a variety of vegetarian and vegan offerings. The decor is pleasant, with an old 'mom 'n pop' feel to the furniture. They have art from local artists for display (and sale) on their walls. I'll have to stop by the place for breakfast one of these days. The pineapple French toast sounds quite interesting...
(4)Joy M.
Rotating art gets my attention immediately but the food kept it longer #localfavorite
(5)Kelly C.
I love this place! The food is phenomenal every time. The waitstaff is friendly though there is one who is a little out there but mostly harmless. The owners are just excellent and make sure that patrons are happy with their visit. I wish they were open later however.
(5)Danielle F.
I recently started working downtown, so I got lunch to go from Studio Grill...and it was SO yummy! I got the Kalafornia Reuben...and the bread was grilled just right! A little bit toasty, and not soggy at all (which can happen with take out)...and the fries were still crisp and hot. This will definitely be one of my regular places for lunch now.
(4)Diane K.
Food was above average, but staff was nitpicky. I brought in a coupon that stated if you buy any breakfast you get one for free, which was what I originally planned on ordering. I asked the waitress if I could get lunch and my son could get the breakfast for free. I was told no and that the coupon had to be followed as written. However, as a business owner myself, I thought this was a silly rule. Why? Because I would have spent $8.00 on lunch and I ended up spending $6 on breakfast, so the restaurant could have made $2 breaking the rule. Very silly!
(2)J F.
Fist time here...had the 5 Alarm omelette. It was fantastic. Just the right amount of heat. Ended up buying a bottle of their Serrano Sauce to take home.
(5)Sarah P.
My parents have loved this place forever, and I was finally able to stop in for lunch this past week. I had a fried chicken wrap; delicious chicken, a great chipotle ranch sauce with cheese and a ton of fresh veggies. The wrap had a great crunch to it, and the flavor was great. The fries that came with it were so fantastic, exactly as another reviewer describes them, I would go back for those alone. The service was timely and friendly, and one of the owners came out to check on us while we were there, as well. I will definitely be going back to try their breakfast options and the burgers everyone else loves so much!
(4)Adonis P.
Studio Grill is definitely a community gem!! Located downtown, you could almost walk right past it if you weren't paying attention. As soon as you walk in you'll notice the laid back vibe as you're warmly greeted by the staff. The decor is a mashup of old school country kitchen and bohemian art deco, that really works well. Walls are covered with ever changing art from local artists and is for sale! The owners work everyday and are very friendly and accommodating. The staff is all smiles and usually on point! The food! Best. Burgers. Downtown. PERIOD. The breakfasts look fantastic also although admittedly I havent had one yet. They come highly recommended according to my co-workers! Bottom line - you'd be doing yourself a disfavor by skipping this spot. Stop in a make your belly happy!! Try the Bronco Burger!!
(4)Matt S.
We were visiting the Children's Museum and chanced upon this local restaurant. The staff was incredibly friendly. The owner and cook stopped by to make sure everything was fine. The kids had pancakes and ate every bit. My wife had the "classic"burger which was stuffed with mushrooms and cheese. I had the Blue Cheese stuffed burger. Both were excellent---great quality meat and cooked just right. Great atmosphere and food. Would go here again.
(4)Brendon C.
Charming little restaurant. Had the vegan black bean burger. Tasted great but was very messy! Fries were good, didn't know they had a sweet potato option. 100% vegan friendly, as far as they say (they even said they had separate friers for the meat vs veg food). Art was nice, atmosphere quiet. Good place to take a friend but probably not a big party. Seemed pretty informal but the staff was nice!
(4)Kim N.
Ate here while on vacation and staying at the Radisson. Casual cafe vibe with lots of art on the walls. Great menu for breakfast and low prices. We had biscuits and gravy (ask if you don't see them on the menu) and the 5 Alarm omelette (added mushrooms). Omelette came with american fries and toast. Biscuits and gravy didn't come with anything, but you could add things if you wanted for an additional cost. Both meals were outstanding. Homemade bread was used for the toast (and I think homemade jam). Decent coffee, but not remarkable (they have a full espresso drink menu, too). Total was $14.00 without tip. Cheap! Next time I'm all over the Hawaiian French toast. Owner came out of the kitchen to check on all the tables, which adds some points. The only possible fault I could possibly think of is that I added mushrooms to my omelette and they were canned, but I can deal with that in an otherwise great breakfast. Our friends are traveling to Kzoo in the spring and we are going to recommend they eat breakfast here.
(4)Gary S.
It's hard to imagine a breakfast place better than the Studio Grill. Good food, good service and good prices. Craig is always experimenting and he works until he gets it right.
(5)Dawn P.
Great vegetarian options and nice staff.
(4)Jeff L.
I had heard that this place was a new vegan restaurant in Kalamazoo, and I was really excited because: 1. This is totally new to the area where I live, and 2. I like to eat healthy and love vegetarian cuisine when it is done well. I will say that the service was exceptional. The food was not. In fact it wasn't even vegetarian (let alone, vegan). The owner/cook/server informed us that she can prepare anything on the menu as vegetarian or vegan, but almost all of their dishes contained meat, and didn't even sound appetizing. In all reality it is a greasy spoon that is only open for breakfast and lunch. That being said, I will say that the food was ok, but nothing great. This place seems like a great place to go get a greasy breakfast after a hard night of drinking. And it is wicked CHEAP. I don't remember seeing a menu item over $8.
(3)Terral A.
Three of us made a stop at the Studio Grill in Downtown Kalamazoo this weekend and we were not disappointed. This small restaurant rescued my taste buds from all of the boring places that had be to in the last few months. The menu is awesome with everything made fresh. My wife had the Vegetarian Panini, I had the Corned Beef Panini, and my friend had the Sweet and Spicy Pineapple stuffed burger. All of our meals were delicious, and we will be back for more. There is no alcohol served here, but you soon forget since you are in food heaven. My Corned Beef Panini was custom made with a jalapeno wrap, and I had them add jalapeno slices to spice it up. This sandwich served hot is now one of my favorites in SW Michigan. The hand cut fries were great, but I think that I will try the hand cut sweet potato fries on my next visit. The only disappointing thing about my visit to the Studio Grill is that they were out of the home-made hummus. Another couple that came in also wanted the hummus but there were out at the time. The Studio Grill in downtown Kalamazoo is close to the Raddison and should not be overlooked for a good meal. They are open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and should not be overlooked.
(5)Janis E.
We stopped by on a cold, blustery art hop night in Kalamazoo, but were too late to eat. We were intrigued by the menu and friendly greeting even though it was past closing. The next morning, we decided to go back for breakfast. The menu was varied with some interesting options, like the Aloha omelette with ham, pineapple and cheddar cheese. We ordered coffee (very good and strong) while considering the menu, which features breakfast all day long as well as a large selection of sandwiches, burgers, soups and salads. Vegan and vegetarian options included. My husband ordered the MORNING SKILLET~ opened faced omelet w/ sausage and American fries, and sausage gravy and melted Cheddar cheese and sour cream. Served with toast and jelly. $5.39. He LOVED it. I ordered the SPINACH AND SWISS OMELET~ Sautéed spinach, Swiss cheese and diced tomatoes topped with marinara sauce for $5.99. Delicious and fresh, even the marinara had a fresh tomato flavor. Just the right amount of American fries on the side, nicely browned and not greasy. Wait staff was pleasant, food served quickly and hot. The owner/chef, Craig, stopped by and chatted us up for awhile as did his wife, whose name we did not catch. Lovely people. Recipes created by Craig, who admits to sleepless nights 'dreaming' up new recipes. We will definitely stop by again for breakfast and can't wait to try lunch. A 'new' (opened early 2010) gem in downtown Kalamazoo. Be sure to check it out.
(4)Sandra C.
The Studio Grill has a surprisingly varied menu for such a small place. The owners are incredibly nice and made our visit very pleasant. My husband had the Raspberry Chicken Salad Wrap with fries. I just had an iced latter. The coffee drink was good, as was the sandwich (I had a few bites). The only criticism is that the cooler must have ben really cranked up because the chicken chunks were partially frozen. The flavor was very good, though. The fries were amazing--fresh and hot, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. I'd go back just for the French fries.
(3)Don C.
Good and kinda cheap. It gives Food Dance a little competition. Which is good for the consumer.
(3)