Awwww I love this very friendly little up north family diner with outstanding coffee! What is it about diner coffee that always tastes so good? A huge thank you to the owner, Ann, for painfully but carefully checking all of the food labels before serving my food. I am her first gluten issue patron ;-)
(5)
Bekka C.
Terrible. Overpriced. I came in with three kids and paid a lot more than I was expecting. The waitress didn't know anything about the menu. We had to ask for refills. Got burnt toast. Blah. I agree with the other review below mine; if u want good food and better prices go to the paddle inn !
(1)
Heather C.
Slowest ever. The food took for-ev-er to arrive, and when it did, it wasn't great. One club was made on burned toast, and a panini was full of fat.
(1)
Stacey Z.
I had the Western omelet with hash browns, rye toast and coffee. It was all delicious, quickly served and I left with a full tummy. This is a great breakfast stop on the way to or from Up North!
(4)
Lorien C.
While I appreciate a business owner's right of refusal, the fact that this particular business owner refused to permit entry to a service dog and its owner because this particular service dog "was not one for the blind" was inexcusable. Beyond that, federally illegal. "Where Service Animals Are Allowed Under the ADA, State and local governments, businesses, and nonprofit organizations that serve the public generally must allow service animals to accompany people with disabilities in all areas of the facility where the public is normally allowed to go. For example, in a hospital it would be inappropriate to exclude a service animal from areas such as patient rooms, clinics, cafeterias, or examination rooms. However, it may be appropriate to exclude a service animal from operating rooms or burn units where the animal's presence may compromise a sterile environment. Inquiries, Exclusions, Charges, and Other Specific Rules Related to Service Animals When it is not obvious what service an animal provides, only limited inquiries are allowed. Staff may ask two questions: (1) is the dog a service animal required because of a disability, and (2) what work or task has the dog been trained to perform. Staff cannot ask about the person's disability, require medical documentation, require a special identification card or training documentation for the dog, or ask that the dog demonstrate its ability to perform the work or task. A person with a disability cannot be asked to remove his service animal from the premises unless: (1) the dog is out of control and the handler does not take effective action to control it or (2) the dog is not housebroken. When there is a legitimate reason to ask that a service animal be removed, staff must offer the person with the disability the opportunity to obtain goods or services without the animal's presence. Establishments that sell or prepare food must allow service animals in public areas even if state or local health codes prohibit animals on the premises. " For those of you who support the rights of others who are disabled and suffer in one form or another (deaf, celiac disorder, blind, PTSD, etc.) and are aided by those wonderful and loyal animals, please think twice before patronizing this restaurant. They have made it very clear that regardless of mandatory federal law, they are unwelcome. A formal complaint with the appropriate governmental agencies is underway.
(1)
Anne K.
Swiss Mushroom burger was okay, but not $7 worth. Service was spotty and rude, and clearly did not care for the customers. Hot beef sandwich was lule warm at most. Stopped through on our way up north, will not be returning.
(1)
Laura S.
Not impressed. Kids had Kraft mac and cheese at $5 a plate. My panini and my husbands fish were wet. Fried pickles had NO breading on them....seemed like they just microwaved pickles. Outdated atmosphere, long wait, and we found a diabetic needle in the carpet.
(1)
Mark M.
Tried this place many times over the years, and we're always disappointed. Overpriced and un-inspired food. Un-motivated servers. It appears the inmates run the asseylum here. Too bad, because the building is very nice, as is the location. This place needs to be rehabilitated by Robert Irvine, because I believe the potential is there.
(1)
Betty G.
I will never recommend or go to the restaurant again. The service was terrible. The waitress was slow to take our order. It seemed as if we were bothering her. We ordered a salad, a bowl of chili and a BLT. After waiting for 30 minutes, we looked into the kitchen and we could see the waitress texting on her cell phone. We were getting ready to walk out of the restaurant when she finally arrived with our order. The chili was terrible, the sandwich was made by a pre-schooler. Worse yet, we both were sick on our long drive home from the terrible food.
(1)
Patrick A.
Our lunches were both average at best. My Club Sandwich had almost no bacon on it. The service was below average even though it was not busy. We will not be back.
(2)
Robin S.
Stopped today for a late lunch driving home from up north. The exterior is misleading for the interior atmosphere. The food wasn't too bad. I had potato ham soup and a reuben, just fine, nothing special. My husband and son had a burger. They said they were good and on a nice roll. My daughter's BLT and fries seemed below average. The menu was sort of boring and bland. Service was good.
(3)
Natalie T.
Great find. The Special of the Day (Sunday) was broasted chicken and my oh my! was it worth the wait. Generous portion served piping hot with homemade mashed potatoes and stuffing. For $10 it also included the salad bar which included many items that were made fresh on site. Very attentive wait staff.
(4)
Chris L.
Back in the day, the AuSable River Restaurant used to appear out of Downtown Mio like a mirage in the desert. The food inside was good, the staff was great, with an AMAZING weekend breakfast bar complete with scramby eggs, hash browns, corn beef hash, and biscuits and gravy. It used to even be reasonably priced. The place was bustling back in the day. Well, owners changed a few years back, and unfortunately so did the buffet, staff, and the good food. The breakfast bar now boasts food that appears to be ALL GFS (Gordon Food Services). And what isnt GFS, is some greasy mishap out of the kitchen. Maybe because its Mio, Michigan the new owners think this type of slop is acceptable? I'd rather go drive in the opposite direction to Lewiston and go to the Iron Kettle and get some REAL homemade fare. Or even worse, gasp, you'd get less greasy cheaper food across the street at (dare I say it!) MCDONALDS. Its still in business because of 1.) its name and AuSable River followers (canoeing, tubing, etc) 2.) its location (right next to a launch, canoe rental cabins, AND downtown Mio), 3.) stupid tourists that will never leave the immediate area to find that there are a few other very good places that deserve our business instead of this place. Ok, so if you are still reading... our server was very nice. lol. Kind of a silver lining. I ordered a turkey club sandwich, which was made with lunchmeat cuts - yuck!! My 2 friends both ordered breakfast, the omelets appeared to be average size and presentation, IMO. Both of my friends complained that the hash browns were waaaay too greasy and undercooked to boot. If you have to go here, then do it. But please dont be afraid to explore a little. There are a ton of other places that have great breakfast vs. just mediocre at best at the AuSable River Restaurant.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Jill Z.
Awwww I love this very friendly little up north family diner with outstanding coffee! What is it about diner coffee that always tastes so good? A huge thank you to the owner, Ann, for painfully but carefully checking all of the food labels before serving my food. I am her first gluten issue patron ;-)
(5)Bekka C.
Terrible. Overpriced. I came in with three kids and paid a lot more than I was expecting. The waitress didn't know anything about the menu. We had to ask for refills. Got burnt toast. Blah. I agree with the other review below mine; if u want good food and better prices go to the paddle inn !
(1)Heather C.
Slowest ever. The food took for-ev-er to arrive, and when it did, it wasn't great. One club was made on burned toast, and a panini was full of fat.
(1)Stacey Z.
I had the Western omelet with hash browns, rye toast and coffee. It was all delicious, quickly served and I left with a full tummy. This is a great breakfast stop on the way to or from Up North!
(4)Lorien C.
While I appreciate a business owner's right of refusal, the fact that this particular business owner refused to permit entry to a service dog and its owner because this particular service dog "was not one for the blind" was inexcusable. Beyond that, federally illegal. "Where Service Animals Are Allowed Under the ADA, State and local governments, businesses, and nonprofit organizations that serve the public generally must allow service animals to accompany people with disabilities in all areas of the facility where the public is normally allowed to go. For example, in a hospital it would be inappropriate to exclude a service animal from areas such as patient rooms, clinics, cafeterias, or examination rooms. However, it may be appropriate to exclude a service animal from operating rooms or burn units where the animal's presence may compromise a sterile environment. Inquiries, Exclusions, Charges, and Other Specific Rules Related to Service Animals When it is not obvious what service an animal provides, only limited inquiries are allowed. Staff may ask two questions: (1) is the dog a service animal required because of a disability, and (2) what work or task has the dog been trained to perform. Staff cannot ask about the person's disability, require medical documentation, require a special identification card or training documentation for the dog, or ask that the dog demonstrate its ability to perform the work or task. A person with a disability cannot be asked to remove his service animal from the premises unless: (1) the dog is out of control and the handler does not take effective action to control it or (2) the dog is not housebroken. When there is a legitimate reason to ask that a service animal be removed, staff must offer the person with the disability the opportunity to obtain goods or services without the animal's presence. Establishments that sell or prepare food must allow service animals in public areas even if state or local health codes prohibit animals on the premises. " For those of you who support the rights of others who are disabled and suffer in one form or another (deaf, celiac disorder, blind, PTSD, etc.) and are aided by those wonderful and loyal animals, please think twice before patronizing this restaurant. They have made it very clear that regardless of mandatory federal law, they are unwelcome. A formal complaint with the appropriate governmental agencies is underway.
(1)Anne K.
Swiss Mushroom burger was okay, but not $7 worth. Service was spotty and rude, and clearly did not care for the customers. Hot beef sandwich was lule warm at most. Stopped through on our way up north, will not be returning.
(1)Laura S.
Not impressed. Kids had Kraft mac and cheese at $5 a plate. My panini and my husbands fish were wet. Fried pickles had NO breading on them....seemed like they just microwaved pickles. Outdated atmosphere, long wait, and we found a diabetic needle in the carpet.
(1)Mark M.
Tried this place many times over the years, and we're always disappointed. Overpriced and un-inspired food. Un-motivated servers. It appears the inmates run the asseylum here. Too bad, because the building is very nice, as is the location. This place needs to be rehabilitated by Robert Irvine, because I believe the potential is there.
(1)Betty G.
I will never recommend or go to the restaurant again. The service was terrible. The waitress was slow to take our order. It seemed as if we were bothering her. We ordered a salad, a bowl of chili and a BLT. After waiting for 30 minutes, we looked into the kitchen and we could see the waitress texting on her cell phone. We were getting ready to walk out of the restaurant when she finally arrived with our order. The chili was terrible, the sandwich was made by a pre-schooler. Worse yet, we both were sick on our long drive home from the terrible food.
(1)Patrick A.
Our lunches were both average at best. My Club Sandwich had almost no bacon on it. The service was below average even though it was not busy. We will not be back.
(2)Robin S.
Stopped today for a late lunch driving home from up north. The exterior is misleading for the interior atmosphere. The food wasn't too bad. I had potato ham soup and a reuben, just fine, nothing special. My husband and son had a burger. They said they were good and on a nice roll. My daughter's BLT and fries seemed below average. The menu was sort of boring and bland. Service was good.
(3)Natalie T.
Great find. The Special of the Day (Sunday) was broasted chicken and my oh my! was it worth the wait. Generous portion served piping hot with homemade mashed potatoes and stuffing. For $10 it also included the salad bar which included many items that were made fresh on site. Very attentive wait staff.
(4)Chris L.
Back in the day, the AuSable River Restaurant used to appear out of Downtown Mio like a mirage in the desert. The food inside was good, the staff was great, with an AMAZING weekend breakfast bar complete with scramby eggs, hash browns, corn beef hash, and biscuits and gravy. It used to even be reasonably priced. The place was bustling back in the day. Well, owners changed a few years back, and unfortunately so did the buffet, staff, and the good food. The breakfast bar now boasts food that appears to be ALL GFS (Gordon Food Services). And what isnt GFS, is some greasy mishap out of the kitchen. Maybe because its Mio, Michigan the new owners think this type of slop is acceptable? I'd rather go drive in the opposite direction to Lewiston and go to the Iron Kettle and get some REAL homemade fare. Or even worse, gasp, you'd get less greasy cheaper food across the street at (dare I say it!) MCDONALDS. Its still in business because of 1.) its name and AuSable River followers (canoeing, tubing, etc) 2.) its location (right next to a launch, canoe rental cabins, AND downtown Mio), 3.) stupid tourists that will never leave the immediate area to find that there are a few other very good places that deserve our business instead of this place. Ok, so if you are still reading... our server was very nice. lol. Kind of a silver lining. I ordered a turkey club sandwich, which was made with lunchmeat cuts - yuck!! My 2 friends both ordered breakfast, the omelets appeared to be average size and presentation, IMO. Both of my friends complained that the hash browns were waaaay too greasy and undercooked to boot. If you have to go here, then do it. But please dont be afraid to explore a little. There are a ton of other places that have great breakfast vs. just mediocre at best at the AuSable River Restaurant.
(2)