The Butler
40 Butler St, Saugatuck, MI, 49453
The Butler Menu
Sorry, We are updating this restaurant menu details.
Visit below restaurant in Saugatuck for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Saugatuck for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Saugatuck for healthy meals suggestion.
Sorry, we don't have Q&A for this restaurant.
Sorry, No Coupons available for this restaurant.
-
Address :
40 Butler St
Saugatuck, MI, 49453 - Phone (269) 857-3501
- Website https://www.butlerrestaurant.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
Sorry, Store hours have not been updated. If you are the owner of this restaurants. Please update the store hours.
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Touristy
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
Looky Weed - Buy Marijuana Online
Looky Weed is here to help you navigate the maze of legalized marijuana. We provide you with a complete dispensary directory.
Dylan M.
Nice outdoor patio on the water and well staffed. This is the main reason to come here IMO. Come for simple drinks and to sit outside. Don't expect much from the food. I ordered lite but everything was premade and brought to the table as fast as my beer was. Peel N eat SWIMPZ are worth a try. Stay away from the chips/salsa N quauc unless u luvz red white and brown dyed stale chips and brown guacamole.
(2)Ermelinda C.
Great outdoor seating, OK menu, OK but somewhat slow service.
(3)James S.
Sadly, this place could be much better. The Butler is famous with the locals and tourists. When we were there it was very busy and all of outside seating was taken. I guess they are doing something right. According to the history blurb on the menu, The Butler started as a hotel in the 1800's. Later in the 1960's (?) they tore off the top two floors. It does not have much of a historic feel and looks like it has not been remodeled since the 1960's. The menu (likewise) looks like it has not been remodeled since the 1960's. You will find all of the usual suspects. Plenty of fried things, salads, sandwiches, burgers etc. Nothing wrong with that, just know what to expect. We were there with a family group. The food was OK but no one raved about anything.
(3)Anna-Marie W.
While on vacation in the Midwest, we visited a small lakeside town in Michigan called Saugatuck- a village of quaint shops and restaurants. Per recommendation by my hosts- we decided to have lunch at The Butler- a Great Lakes institution since the late 1800's. It's a rustic old building- once a three story hotel but in the 1960's the hotel was closed and the top two floors were removed- leaving just the one story restaurant and bar. I had to start with the clam chowder which was thick and buttery- very rich for an appetizer. My hosts decided on a simple but classic hamburger. Though my boyfriend Chad and I rarely eat meat, I have to admit that this burger was cooked perfectly medium rare for me. It looked tasty and according to my hosts- it was. Chad had the Grilled Salmon sandwich with a balsamic glaze. The fish was served on a Kaiser roll with lettuce and tomato. The salmon was plump and juicy while the bun and veggies were fresh. Sweet potato fries was his choice as an accompaniment. Crispy and sweet- he enjoyed these as well. I ordered the beer battered cod sandwich on a French roll with lettuce and tartar sauce. I am normally not a big fried fish person, but this sandwich was light and flaky though generic. Not too much different than the fried fish sandwiches you'd find at a fast food establishment- only less greasy. The restaurant had a great view of the boats in the harbor, allowing one to overlook the dark and drabby seaside décor and old wooden tables inside. However, it was cozy and the food was tasty and fresh- worth a visit at least once.
(3)OldIrvingPoodle H.
The 1 star is for the fact that the service is just unpleasant...not family friendly. It's unfortunate since it was a rainy day when we were there; you would think they want business. Menu said they had mac and cheese - too bad that's the inside menu, so my son can't order it outside.
(1)Pauline S.
Frat boy food, red cups included with a gorgeous view. 2 stars for the view and the outdoor deck
(2)Nathan F.
Average food. Excellent view, atmosphere, and setup for drinks. Standout for chow was the Boom Boom Shrimp - crispy, spicy, and savory. Skip the burgers - lukewarm and pedestrian. In sum, come here for drinks and apps only.
(3)Tanya L.
You know how the lovely patio is the best part of the meal? Well, not if you have kids. The place has a completely idiotic policy of not allowing patrons with children on the patio WHEN THE BAND IS PLAYING. Because what will the irresponsible me do when allowed away from the hostess' watchful eye? Duh, buy my preschooler a margarita, OF COURSE. So, if you dared to bring your spawn to this pantheon of great food and adult good time, no fresh air for you, you get to stew inside. Because duh, the band is playing. Add to that the obnoxiously rude hostess, and what you have is a soured taste for the whole evening. Now, they did not poison us. My prime rib was good, as was hubby's burger. The spawn seemed to enjoy his mac-and-cheese. The margarita (drunk by me) was all right, although there was hardly any salt on the rim (yes, I'm picky like that). The potato-ish mushroom-ish soup was mediocre, as were the onion rings and the boring steamed asparagus. The waitress was fine. In general, probably an avoid for us next time we're in Saugatuck.
(2)Toni F.
The Butler is a Saugatuck well known destination because of the location and the view in my opinion. It certainly can't be because of the atmosphere or the food - both were pretty standard fare on the weekend we visited and yet during the "high-season" there are frequently lines to get into this place - I don't get it. We went with a group of 8 on an early fall weekend. The decor is very outdated but you get the benefit of beautiful views of the water so don't bother to look around inside the place. We tried a variety of menu items, nothing worth noting but everything including the drinks, just as expected. The service was friendly too. I would never wait in line to eat here, unless we missed something - I would likely recommend many other Saugatuck spots that have better food and cocktails.
(3)Angela H.
Always great food and decent prices. Good for a nice local date night now and again. Great place.
(4)Krista V.
An ok place. We sat on the deck which was nice but did not have a spectacular view. The service could have been better. It was a little on the slow side but considering it was Saturday night in a tourist town at the dinner hour, we did expect to wait a little bit. Our waitress wasn't overly friendly and only checked on us once during our meal. She didn't seem to be very visible. The food was fine, general normal type fare. I would go there again but would definitely try other places first before I returned to the Butler.
(3)David C.
Reuben was small and the chips were standard off the shelf grocery store chips. Not a good value for a $10 sandwich. Kids meals were very small and $6. Chicken strips were more like nuggets. I had to ask for more for my son. All my kids left hungry except my 3 year old. Service was ok.
(1)B A.
I was excited to see pan fried walleye on the menu, my favorite! Not sure what went wrong in the kitchen but it tasted like rubber, so overcooked I could barely eat any of it. Very disappointed and offended that I had to pay nearly $20 for the experience. We had seat inside with a nice view overlooking the water and deck, the wait staff were fast and friendly, I've had great burgers here before. Just really disappointed this time. Will not be ordering fish here again.
(2)Joanne S.
My family and I have been to the Butler many times over the years and I have to say it's one of my favorite places to eat. Many reviewers have called the decor old and drab but I think of it as nostalgic. I happen to like the ambiance here and the food is wonderful. I've had everything from burgers to steaks and I have never been disappointed here. The wait staff is very nice and the service has always been excellent. If you want a nice sit down place to relax from a day's worth of wandering through the shops of Saugatuck, this is the place to go.
(5)Erick K.
Overall, this was a very bad experience. The staff was rude and frazzled on a moderately busy Saturday night. The cocktails were actually disgusting, given how simple and unoriginal the ingredients were. They were so sweet from the cheap mixers that they were undrinkable. Our appetizer was shrimp cocktail, which shockingly consisted of only 5 small-medium shrimp unceremoniously smashed into a glass cup, served with unquestionably canned cocktail sauce for 12 dollars. This place is a tourist trap that survives mostly because it has a nice location. Would never return.
(1)Kate L.
Great large patio for a sunny afternoon meal. Bloody Mary and margaritas are a little weak. Wings and onion rings are standard. I got the chicken club sandwich and found the chicken kind of fatty - didn't really cut easily which it should have. Great place for a burger and a beer.
(3)Rae M.
We have been here a few times. The staff is very friendly and we love the outdoor patio with the live music. I love the atmosphere but not the food.
(2)Jessica F.
I live relatively close to Saugatuck (about 15 minutes) I go there quite a bit in the summer generally for the beach. I recently started to discover their downtown area for shopping and restaurants. I came here with my family for Easter Sunday and it was a mediocre experience. We got right in, the interior is a bit outdated, the crowd is on the older side. We got a table by a window that looked out to the channel, which was beautiful, our service was kinda slow when there really wasn't that many people in there for Easter lunch. She was very friendly though. Food was pretty good, I got the Fish and Chips, the rest of my family raved about their food. I would have gone and tried a different place in the downtown area had I known so many places were open on Easter Sunday. Overall...good food, okay service.
(3)Erica D.
We came to The Butler based upon a recommendation from a local artist in the area on where to eat sit down non-ice cream dessert after a long day of boutiquing. We were not disappointed! We snagged an excellent location next to the fire place and were able to watch the sun go down over the harbor and the Christmas lights display come on little by little. Scenery wise, it was pretty, relaxing, and cozy. My niece and I each had cheesecake served differently. The slices were scary big, and were fabulous! Nothing will ever come close to my grandmother's cheesecake but The Butler's was definitely scrumptious and one of the better desserts I've had in a while. My mother in law opted for the key lime pie which she raved about on the way home. They offer a lot of other dessert choices as well. If you need a place to wind down over coffee and desserts in Saugatuck, I can't think of a better spot.
(4)Alexandra K.
We've come to this place for years just to enjoy the view. The crowd is your typical older folks and tourists. The food is quite good and you can never go wrong with their clam chowder. It's a staple in the town. -Complementary Bread: they give a nice loaf of bread on a cutting board and even though I didn't have a piece, my friend ate the ENTIRE thing so it must not have been too bad. -Clam Chowder: it's filled with potatoes and clams and it's nicely creamy (but not too creamy). It is very well spiced and comes out piping hot! -Caesar Salad: I love the Parmesan shavings atop the well-dressed salad (and by that I mean the amount of Caesar dressing was perfect). -Burger: The burger is nice and think and cooked well. I also love how they aren't skimpy on the cheese they melt so nicely on top. -Salmon with Gorgonzola: it's delicious. A huge piece of salmon that is perfectly cooked. It is quite creamy and each piece cuts nicely. The Gorgonzola on top is nicely crusted and adds a great taste to the salmon. -Perch: it is nicely and thinly breaded but the portion is quite small and they aren't as flaky as I would like. -Fries: at least this time they were fried in old grease so they were too crunchy and gross. Change your grease more often, please. FINAL VERDICT: Nothing to rave home about but certainly not bad. We come time and time again because the view over the lake is lovely and the food is good. That salmon, yum.
(3)Christine T.
Prime rib was sold out last Saturday eve, so it was perch for me and walleye for my side kick. Walleye won my vote. Clam chowder was meh. Funny to read the other reviews complaining about kids not allowed on the porch with the band- that's great news, since I don't seek to sit with the small fry crowd- take em elsewhere.. Solid attentive service.
(3)Chris K.
Food is excellent! Steaks are seasoned very well and have lots of flavor. The burgers are great but like to slide out of the bun. Service was great too and very friendly. Couple things, few items are frozen that shouldn't be...fries, not to good. Here's the thing: We ate on the edge of the room where the second room begins. Half way thru, they turned off the lights in the room next to us. DARK! People at my table told me to keep my mouth shut so we ate in a kind of a dark area, and the restaurant itself is already pretty dim! Oh well. So 3 stars because they should know better than to turn of lights in the middle of service at a classy place like this. Also for the frozen items.
(3)Valant J.
This place is so far below average. I am only giving it 2 stars because of the view. Saugatuk is such a cool city so do not ruin your trip by eating at this junkyard. The chips that were served with my mediocre sandwich were Ruffles potato chips from a grocery store. Service was terrible and we were served drinks in red solo cups. The waitress we had didn't even have enough respect to take off her sunglasses when she was taking our order. There was supposed to be bacon and avocado on my sandwich and I could barely tell from the very tiny amounts that were given. Very plain and bland food with no flavor whatsoever.
(2)Peter M.
Still good hamburgers and the old yacht club ambiance. I grew up sitting at establishments like this with my grandfather at the bar. For some reason the Older hostess said my 7 year and I could not sit at the empty bar because of 'state law'. I've been to the Butler regularly as a child and as an adult and avid mariner. However after this experience with the hostess I'm calling it quits. There's many other options in Saugatuck.
(1)Dave T.
The view of the lake/river was the best part of this joint. The food was average at best, no draft beer outside and the server we had was only OK. Food came out in a reasonable time frame. I'd personally find another spot in town for lunch
(2)Rachael Z.
We visited Saugatuck for a few days immediately after our wedding, and had a pretty hard time finding a nice restaurant to have dinner at. We inspected as many menu's as possible, and winded up at the Butler. The Butler was a standard, old school restaurant. Drab interior with muted colors, old fashioned bar and an older crowd. The food was good - nothing special, but it was certainly packed in the restaurant. Prices were pretty decent, but overall, nothing stuck out here. I'm sure in the summer, it's a great restaurant for a fun view off the lake. For the immediate area and having to walk to a restaurant, it's a good choice, but don't expect fine dining. We were NOT wanting to drive, but for those open to taking a short trip, skip The Butler and head to Everyday People Cafe!
(3)Krystal R.
Had a great time here. Went for drinks one day, sat outside on the patio in the sun listening to a great cover band. Next day we ended up here again, had drinks and lunch. I would recommend the peel n' eat shrimp (fresh), buffalo wings (nice and crispy, classic flavor) and bang bang shrimp, and shrimp tacos. Super cute to sit out on the patio and take in the view right by the yacht club.
(4)Luke C.
Great appetizers and juicy burgers. Chicken Wings were fried to a crisp. Stuffed mushrooms were delicious, the artichoke dip with pita chips were great. I had the signature burger with the ham. I would definitely order again. They have a great outdoor deck with a huge octagonal bar. A must stop by to eat and drink when in Saugatuk.
(4)Molly C.
This is an obvious tourist trap for well-to-do boaters who don't care what their food tastes like. In January, they take a little time and care with their food--we stopped in for a burger and bowl of chili once a year and a half or so ago, ate at the bar, and enjoyed it. However, in the summer, it's magically transformed into a musty old Red Lobster lookalike, the kind of place that "runs out" of their special by 11:30 in the morning and serves thawed, food-service-grade burgers and iceberg lettuce salads with bottled ranch dressing. Prices are high, the wait is long, the food is disappointing at best and inedible at worst. Obviously, the point is to collect as much money from unsuspecting tourists during the season as possible. I'm not a tourist and I won't be back.
(1)Melanie I.
Best part of the butler, the outside patio and live music. Only problem is that it's so great, people don't want to leave and the wait can get pretty high. Great fun atmosphere. Onion rings, burgers, steak and pizzas area all delicious.
(4)John L.
Food was okay. Service was slow slow slow. We had a party of seven for a bday. Server cashed us out even though we were planning to stay. Then never cleared our table. Charged us for a mistake drink. Ceci was one of the worst servers I have ever had. It was a Friday. Lots of staff. No reason for crappy service. Will not be back.
(1)Janet T.
I can't comment on the food as we've only been here for drinks on the outdoor patio. Cold beers in the sunshine overlooking the water...you can't beat this place.
(5)Abby A.
The deck is our go to place! A great spot!!!
(4)Mike T.
The best stuffed mushrooms ever! The hostess is pretty short, and rude. Otherwise, the staff is good. This food is overpriced for the quality, but I would still go back. Been there multiple times.
(3)Joe L.
Went today for lunch. The wait was about 15 minutes - not bad considering it's Sunday at Noon. Side note-the hostess was a blonde knockout - much to my wife's chagrin, I had to catch myself a few times when she was seating other customers. My kids even we're checking her out! Anyways, we ordered a couple drinks off of their summer specials menu - they were good, not great. Our food came about 25-30 mins later-also not bad considering how busy it was. Now, the food was dynamite, fish & chips done perfectly. Burgers, chicken tenders and cod sandwich all very good. The fries were great- seasoned and crispy. Our server was very good - attitude and quickness was appreciated. Now to the reason it got only four stars instead of five. The bill. Look I understand it's Saugatuck and everything's overpriced, but holy cow. $ 95 (with tip) for lunch. Ouch.
(4)Rachel B.
We we walking around the streets of Saugatuck looking for an affordable place for dinner and this ended up being the one! I ordered the Chicken Quesapita and I was very pleased, it was very flavorful and I loved the pita over a regular tortilla. I also got to try the wings and the other half of my friends sandwich and both were tasty! Another plus was that the food was brought quickly.
(4)James B.
We've always had great service and food whenever we go to The Butler, and tonight was no different. Had the Gorgonzola salmon, done perfectly!
(4)Amy V.
I've been to The Butler a couple of times while vacationing in Saugatuck. Let me throw out there right off the bat that the 4 stars are for the beautiful outdoor waterfront seating. I've never been inside and the food on the patio is only worth 3 stars. It's very simple really. This place has good drinks and good burgers. Nothing spectacular but a fun place to hang out, eat greasy food, and maybe tie one on. Don't order the salmon burger, it's disgusting.
(4)Kira T.
This place was HORRIBLE. It looked so cool and was on the water. Our service was terrible, the waitress seemed annoyed. I got an 8oz fillet and crab cakes. It also came with asparagus. The asparagus was I think boiled, soggy, mushy, no flavor. Steak was flavored well but the crab cakes were very very tiny and thin and looked more like a pancake. They were mushy. It appeared my plate had been setting for awhile as everything was room temperature or under. I would never ever go back here and am very upset I wasted my money. They need to get it together. This isn't the caliber of food this area needs.
(2)Shari M.
We stopped here for lunch. Burgers were great! Service was great. Would eat here again.
(5)Pat M.
I have been coming to Saugatuck for 15 years and this is by FAR the best service in town. I generally eat at the bar in the off season and on the deck in the summer. The Butler Deck, by far, is the most scenic place to eat in town. The food is always good and the service is EXCELLENT. I want to give kudos to JAKE for being an amazing bartender and also to Steven and Ryan. If you go to the Butler, you wont be disappointed. If you are used to an excellent service standard like I am being from Chicago, you will really enjoy this place.
(5)Jim E.
25 dollars for 2 bad margaritas served in a small plastic cup. Methinks not!
(1)Christina A.
In general the food here was pretty yucky. The view was great and the service was nice so that's why I didn't choose to give it one star. Wish I had check out the Yelp reviews prior to going however.
(2)Colleen M.
We shared salmon spread as an app - good stuff. Had chicken avocado sandwich as entree- was just OK - wouldn't order it again. Groom had fish and chips - was just OK.
(3)Alyssa M.
We just went there for drinks, but the service sucked. Not only did we get id'ed twice but the bartender refused to serve my 30 year old brother because he didn't know what a Montana id looked like. With many other bar options, I'd skip this place and find somewhere with decent bartenders.
(1)Peter J.
SERVICE WAS WONDERFUL!! However I must of got the last of the prime rib because it was awful. Drenched in au jus that was super salty.. DISGUSTING! My friends walleye was fish. The perch was great and so was the surf and turf.
(1)Daphne L.
This review is solely for the Butler Deck. The best place to be on a sunny day in Saugatuck; on the water, good drinks, nice patio, great service. The crowd is mostly the Muffy/Biff/Biffy boating set, but, overall they're a decent bunch.
(5)John K.
Another place we were passing by and stopped in on a whim. Plan on waiting anywhere from 30-60 min for a spot on the weekends. Overall, not too bad but then again nothing too special if you get my drift. Just good food with good friendly service. The lake Perch was decent but I've had better recently and the string beans were passable. You could do much worse in Saugatuck! Some nice entertainment from time to time and would recommend sitting outside. Again, for those of you who think we're eating at some Chicago-Michigan Ave establishment, have a few beers and relax. It is what it is folks!
(4)L M.
Good food. Good service. Didn't make me say wow but we were satisfied. We both had burgers. I had the butler burger which had ham on it. It was good but very salty. I wouldn't order that again. The burgers do not come with fries which I thought made the cost too high. We were hoping to eat outside but the outdoor seating wasn't open. We were disappointed that a lake front restaurant in a tourist town wouldn't have their outdoor seating open. The other restaurants around did. Service was very good. She had our drinks (pop) refilled before we even needed them. That was a nice plus.
(4)Lindy A.
Great food, my husband loved it. Bar staff could have been friendlier. Waitstaff Katie was awesome!
(5)Lisa W.
I enjoyed my birthday lunch at The Butler very much, so back off haters. We sat inside and had a great view of the water. I believe Carla was our server and she was polite, not too friendly, but fine. You don't go to a restaurant to make small talk with the server anyway. We ordered the cod sandwich with onion rings and the stuffed mushroom caps appetizer. Both delicious, though the mushrooms were slightly better. I didn't think it was too pricy for a nice lunch (I'm from Chicago) and I liked the atmosphere. I have no complaints! In fact, I'd even go back.
(4)James C.
Actually, I would give it more of an indifferent 2.5/5 ... Although a very popular dinner & cocktail place for the boating crowds and shopping tourists, be ready because you'll probably wait for at least an hour if you try to visit on a weekend. In the bustle of a weekend, it is crowded and noisy. Honestly, it's not all that special. Most of the food is good, nothing too daring or exotic in flavor, but others assure me it is relatively consistent. However, on my recent visit, I ordered the "signature" ribeye. What I was served definitely was not a ribeye. Ribeye is not rectangular, and does not have a strip of fatty/gristle across the top edge. When I asked the Bartender/server, he assured me it was the ribeye. Fool me once ... (wink) My experience might have been the result of the bartender/waiter or perhaps a new cook. I'll try one more time, but if I am served a strip/sirloin when I order the ribeye, I for one won't be going back. There's another reputable dinner place just around the corner.
(3)Colette H.
My husband and I are vegans and we WERE fans of The Butler. It has a very nice location overlooking the water. Last year, they offered a Veggie Burger and we liked it. We returned to Saugatuck this past weekend and called to make sure they still offered Veggie Burgers. Unfortunately, the answer was NO. They could offer salads and pasta/sauce/veggies to us, but we were interested in a burger. So, bottom line, we won't return to Butler by ourselves or with friends until the Veggie Burger is back on the menu. I understand that restaurants need to limit their menus, but vegans are a growing population and it would be nice if restaurants offered us more than salads and potatoes, rice, or pasta/sauce/veggies. A few other restaurants in Saugatuck do offer great veggie burgers -- Monroe's, Mermaid, and Wicks Park Bar & Grill that I checked so far.
(2)Ryan M.
Was told 15 minute wait but was more like 30. Burger patty was definitely a frozen patty and cheese wasn't melted. Onion rings were cold.
(1)Tracey M.
I've heard a few people rave about The Butler and I'm not sure why. This is one of those cases it would be helpful to have a half star option as I really feel like giving them 2.5 stars. That said, I am giving them three because I don't want people to think this is a completely awful restaurant. I just wasn't super impressed. The Butler has a nice atmosphere, good service and decent food. They also have a large patio around with a bar which seems quite packed at all hours of the day. I'd be willing to go back here again.
(3)Kory C.
I have had better, their "famous" Butler burger was OK but being a "famous" burger I expected something better. I was upcharged for Butler fries to go with my burger. Butler fries are a joke, its a potato chopped into a few pieces and deep fried, no seasoning or anything on it, I was annoyed that I had to pay extra for a simple potato. My girlfriend ordered sweet potato fries (upcharged 3 dollars) and they had no sauce to go with them, we asked for honey but they didn't have that either. My girlfriends mom ordered regular french fries (again upcharged) and they gave her a laughably small amount, she had to complain to the waitress for more. The waitress gave her a little bit more but had no apologies for us and it seemed like she was unhappy to help. We came in to celebrate my girlfriends birthday, and when we asked if they did anything for birthdays our waitress said they could put a candle in a piece of cake for us (which we would have had to pay for), so she could have just responded "no". The location was beautiful and the outdoor bar seemed fun although it was too hot for us to try it out. For the price this place is a flat out joke, overall it was an annoying experience all for some average food. It was very disappointing and I will never be back.
(2)C. G.
Always sit outside. Service is solid. Food is good as well
(4)Mat M.
I'm giving The Butler a 4 star rating, not necessarily for the food...but for the pure scenery. The outdoor deck/patio is AMAZING! The service was good, and I'd give the food a B-. Not good, not bad. Worth the visit!
(4)Justin C.
Great atmosphere out on the deck! We ordered burgers, everyone was thought they were great and filling!
(4)Ruth L.
Relaxed atmosphere; patient waitress (Who had to return to our table several times to take our order because we were so indecisive with the many different and tasty offerings).
(4)Kevin O.
A very nice restaurant with fantastic service. The best part about it was the location. Get there on a nice day, sunny and not too hot and sit outside. It is wonderful. We had a great chicken salad sandwich which was just perfect for lunch. A little bit pricey but that is what you get in a tourist town and you are sitting overlooking the water. Pay for the views and location - it is worth it. Definitely worth the wait to sit outside on a nice day. Makes all the difference in the world!
(4)Karen M.
Great for drinks and appetizers. Nothing fancy. My husband and I sat on the bar for about 6 hrs ... 3 pm to 9 pm on a Friday and had 3-4 appetizers and tons of wine and drinks ... 200 bucks ... so we spent 33 bucks per hr and we had a blast! I have dined there before and is not great. There are better places in Saugatuck.
(4)Michelle V.
Had to wait over 30 minutes for a table. Once seated service was good. We ordered the flatbread with the feta dip for our app, and it was very good. I ordered the smothered chicken with a baked potato. This meal was presented to me on a hot platter that looked like a tv dinner tray, an immediate disappointment. I burned my finger on the metal potion of the plate. The potato was, a potato. Nothng special. The chicken was disappointingly bland. Do not order it. Disappointing end to what started as a decent meal. Low rating was due to the entree.
(2)Lauren S.
I need to make a repeat trip to The Butler in the summer so I can see what this place is really like when the town is in its peak season. A few friends and I went last weekend for the day and stopped at the Butler for an appetizer and a drink. We only had a couple of small things and they were pretty good, not great, but good for a little snack. We ordered the flat bread with Win Schuler's Bar Cheese (always a favorite). The cheese was amazing but the "flat bread" turned out to be slightly toasted pita bread. Pita bread is fine, but then call it pita bread! I was expecting something else. The location, however, is incredible. The restaurant is right on the water and there are a lot of boat slips right outside. I bet it gets jammed in the summer, which would be a lot of fun to see. I wasn't blown away by this place but I would definitely go back in the summer to check it out again when I can sit on the deck and enjoy the sun!
(3)Art C.
The Butler Deck is the best place for eating outside in Saugatuck. Relax with good food. Two friends said the veggie burger is a real good one and the hotdog was very tasty. Close to the water's edge and comfortable seating, too. Service was quite good.
(4)Maria M.
It's places like these that make me wish there were zero stars or negative stars ratings available. My guy and I met another couple for lunch. We ordered mediocre (at best) bloody marys and the other couple walked up later as parking was a disaster. When the other couple walked up to the bar, they had some small cups of soda in hand (which I can see would be frowned upon, but they had about one sip left a piece and were about to order another round from the bar) and set those drinks on the counter. The bar manager reached awkwardly over me and threw out both of their drinks. When my friend said "You know, you could treat us like adults and ask that we finish them outside or throw them out", the manager grumbled under his breath. It was so offensive that we immediately left and went elsewhere. I was a server for years and often people roll up with drinks from elsewhere. You kindly and casually ask that they finish them or throw them out. This power tripping maniac is cruisin' for a bruisin'. Luckily my friend's hubby has self control but I look forward to the day someone jumps over the bar and punches this chubby short buzz cut 34 year old loser manager. Good day! ;-)
(1)Jessie I.
Completely "blah". The food was just as bland as the interior and exterior design. A very boring and dark color scheme, and an unoriginal menu. I ordered sweet potato fries and my friend ordered a veggie burger on texas toast with a side of chips (which was literally 5 Ruffles thrown onto the plate). On the upside, it was super cheap, her bill under $8, mine under $4. Service was quick and our waitress was very friendly. The rest of the service people were standing around looking quite bored. This really isn't a horrible place, it's just not fun, exciting, or different. Seeing how I don't go out to Saugatuck that much, I was looking for an interesting place to eat, and that's not what I got. Don't go here if you're expecting it to be unique or unlike anything we have in Grand Rapids. There's plenty of other unique, tasteful restaurants in this town to be discovered, so I would suggest that unless you have a huge family of young, picky eaters and just want some regular-ass food, leave this one behind!
(2)Dan C.
This is a review on the deck bar. Nothing special. You will probably get attacked by bugs at night. Sad margarita.
(3)Anna N.
well at least the food was not dry, but it wasn't very tasty either. One would think that with the association of the yacht club the food would have been outstanding!
(2)Kat F.
i love this place! great food! great butler fries! good prices. nice people. lots of food! great drinks! missing one star because we arrived during shift change and it took a while to get menus. also has a strange low bar, not a bad thing, just a little strange. comfy chairs though!
(4)Kyle M.
Great service! Enjoyed the lake perch and Butler Burger! The atmosphere is great but the interior is outdated. I would come back.
(4)Sue S.
Went here yesterday, have not been here for 20+ years, and now I remember why. Deck view is pleasant, Bloody Marys nothing special, hamburgers just ok, fries were nice and crisp. All things considered, skip it.
(2)Jim B.
We love the Butler ad have been coming here for 30+ years. Never a bad experience. Love it there.
(5)alicia b.
The butler is a nice nostalgic place.It was built in something like 1890, as a hotel,then revamped into a restaurant/bar. It still looks like its the 1900s in there. Very very old looking,could really use a little love and soap and water. The tables are covered in yucky green vinyl tablecloths that need to be retired stat. They are sticky and gross to set your arms on. The waitress I think are forced to dress like old ladies.They all have black long skirts on even the young waitress we had.Refresh everything, Butler! The food was ok,I had a grilled cheese on rye bread with grilled onions,I guess it was a patty melt minus the meat.Sam ordered a turkey club.The sandwiches were good but they were sided with chips,that were obviously lame greasy Jays or Vitner chips. Make your own if your gonna serve chips. The worst part is the fact that they allow smoking.I didnt realize this at first otherwise I would have left immediatly.I think the smoking is only in the bar but the bar borders a good protion of the restaurant so its pretty smelly smokey in there. Very appetizing..
(2)Ryan T.
What a disappointment! Cool location, neat history but everything else just was bla. We wanted to sit on the patio so we went to the host stand. They advised there was a second host stand at the patio so we checked in and she advised it was an hour wait. No thanks. So we went back inside and we were seated. The host and I assume the manager seemed very unhappy. We sat at a table by a window looking directly over the patio. We noticed there were 3 or 4 tables that sat empty the entire time we were inside so I am not sure of the validity of the hour wait. Anyway, our server inside was not good. I ordered one of their "famous" burgers and the wife got a steak. One of her sides was asparagus- which is REALLY hard to screw up... but they did. I think they were just steamed or boiled with no seasoning. Strike 1. My burger came with Butler fries, which are basically a sliced potato, again no seasoning... Not even salt! Strike 2. Server never gave us refills, and we had to wait a LONG time for her to bring A1 and sour cream. She decided to clean a table next to us and cash out another table and then vanish for a while before bringing the two items. Strike 3. If you are in the area I am sure the deck is a nice place to sit and get boozed up... but skip the food- I can make a better meal blindfolded with items from my freezer.
(2)Charm S.
The lake perch and steamed green beans were good, and the peach pie was awesome - and stated from a non-dessert lover. The ambiance was atrocious - old stained carpet in a 50's supper club style room. You expected the unfriendly and unhelpful staff to have a cigarette dangling from their lips...
(2)Jo M.
We came for drinks on a Friday night on the deck. They had a live band playing and that is what drew us in. The drinks were good, but a little watered down. The music was fun and they got a bunch of people to get up and dance on "the dance floor". We had a good time.
(3)Erik A.
Don't bother. The Butler is bad bar food. I went there for lunch during my last trip to Saugatuck and found the food a small step up from McDonalds. I ordered the "Butler Burger" Medium, since that is what they are known for. It came out medium well with less than fresh lettuce and tomatoes. I rarely send food back, but what they served my was not edible. The second burger was fine, but upon finishing it I noticed some kind or "crud" baked onto the plate. Yeah, nasty. The only reason I gave it two stars, is b/c the Sweet Potato Fries were decent.
(2)Gil A.
Service was good. Great location but the food was blend. We were 7 of us, each had a different order and none was good. Better make your own food.
(2)Chris H.
Do not take your kids to the deck. We had a big group, 8 adults and 10 kids. We were there for a Monday afternoon before lunch rush so got some tables. Then they shared we had to sit by table by check. They could not figure out how to split checks otherwise. Then they shared that we could not order kids meals outside either Would have been great to know that before sitting down. They also charge you if you split meals. Nothing like a 1lb burger for a 2 year old. When I suggested that they may mention to others before they sat down, the manager shared with me that they had a menu outside and we should have seen that. Not very helpful. Food was adequate but nothing special
(2)Adonis P.
Saugatuck is a frequent summer spot of mine. For some reason I'd never been to the Butler. Maybe because it was always packed in the summer. Well the other day marked my first "off season" visit to the town. No crowds and it rained. Perfect time to try the Butler right? Wrong. After being seated in the total rear of the building for some obscure reason (there were only 2 or 3 other couples there at the time) , the waitress asked for orders. Being new to the Butler, we of course wanted a few minutes to check out the menu. She acted like we were keeping her from something else. So we ordered drinks. About 7-8 minutes later we placed our orders. The food came out surprisingly fast, and was surprisingly good. Good for bar style food. Definitely not a "fine dining" establishment regardless of what they pretend to be. The Butler solidly gives off that old money vibe. Old money that has petered out and is now living off the past "glory days" long gone. Like a previous review commented, lots of Dean Martin types sitting at the bar swigging bourbon and remenicing. Not really my crowd. So, good bar food. Old, stale ambience. So so service. Feh...
(2)Nichole F.
Was lured to this place on a windy and chilly evening. It looks so inviting and like it's been a mainstay for a long time...which I can appreciate. I was so excited to see that the first Friday of each month, they make cream of crab soup. I ordered the walleye for dinner and was thankful that a cup of soup came with it - so of course I went with that special once a month crab soup. Needless to say I was SHOCKED when the soup came and I realized that there is NO CRAB in the CRAB SOUP but rather imitation crab. Seriously? WTF? You might as well just serve the crap up every day. There is nothing special at all about it. The walleye was nice and fresh but I just can't get over the soup. It is not inexpensive and it just is not anything special at all. I would say that if you have a big group or have kids, it seemed to be a good place for that.
(2)Rachel K.
Should have read the Yelp reviews. Went to Saugatuck for an impromptu 3 day vacation and didn't research anything -- felt like playing it by ear all weekend. A number of restaurants and bars were closed for the season as of October 15th, so we didn't have many options to pick from. We happened to walk past The Butler while we were walking along the dock and smelled the burgers cooking -- they smelled smokey and delicious, and with there being a line of people waiting at the door, we figured that this must be a great restaurant. We put down our names for a party of 5 and the hostess told us the wait would be 30-45 minutes. That's fine, we figured, we'd just walk along the dock. Came back about 25 minutes later and were sitting around for 15 minutes -- asked the lady how much longer, to which she told us that she had called our party 5 minutes after we put our names down and that we could now expect to wait another 30-45 minutes. We sat outside this time and our party was called within 10 minutes. Why would they tell everyone 30-45 minutes? They had a number of people hear that and leave, complaining that the wait was too long, when in reality it was under 15 minutes. As a side note, when we were done with our meal, I was sitting outside and heard a person complain about the wait -- I mentioned to them that it would likely be less than a 15 minute wait, but their party left to the neighboring bar. Good choice on their part as the food wasn't great anyways, but The Butler was losing a ton of potential guests. Anyways -- the food. Myself and another person in my party ordered burgers while the other 3 people in my party ordered the 8oz (or maybe it was 10oz) sirloin or the surf an turf special (sirloin and mahi mahi or shrimp). My burger was fine. Nothing special, but not overpriced. I ordered the Black & Bleu burger and couldn't complain. My sister ordered the Olive Burger and was fine with her choice, as well. Nothing special, not a whole lot of taste, but not horrible. The 3 people that ordered the sirloins or surf and turf didn't finish their meals. First off, the sirloin was the oddest cut of meat I'd ever seen. Each person covered their steak in steak sauce, too, saying that the steak had no flavor. My grandma and mom gave up half way through, saying that the steak was dry and tough. My boyfriend found numerous bones in his mahi mahi mid bite. The Butler did remove one of the steaks from our bill, but it's a bummer to have a meal that leaves you hungry. Stay away from this touristy attraction.
(2)Craig M.
Food was good. Old school seafood bar.
(4)Tom T.
Great burgers. Good fish. To be honest I do not understand all the bad reviews. I have been coming here for 20 years and I have never been disappointed.
(4)Mary Y.
This place isn't bad if you're over 50, and enjoy pretty stock food. My family and I all visited on our annual trip to Saugatuck. We usually go here and have an ok experience. The food was ok, not stellar. The $9 stuffed mushrooms were the house "special"; and more expensive than my burger, which was better. I saw a lot of Dean Martin look a likes, complete with cigarette and whiskey sour. This place seems to cater to those older who have the money to own huge boats on the water, and stumble off to hit the mainland for some average food. Service was ok, food was ok, I am sure there are better spots in town. I've just gotta find them for next year. Or maybe I can wait about 20 years and find me a sugar daddy.
(3)Ani B.
loved sitting at the window looking over the marina. no boats in off season. food was so-so. started with the Chicken Vegetable Soup -wow! home made and so delicious. had i known it would be that great, i would have skipped the veggie burger (its spicy black bean) which came on a white bun rather than a whole wheat as the menu stated; and got a large bowl. hubbys reuben was ok i guess. don't remember any complaints. The real complaint was the "ice tea". can't say what it was but it was not fresh brewed. it was something carbonated but could not place the taste. Do skip that! all in all would return if it is off season and i can sit at the window. have left in past years cause there were no window seats.
(3)Reuben H.
If you're looking for a great bar/grill visit the Mermaid for better food, same price.
(2)Kara G.
The Butler is a Saugatuck institution that provides "dive" bar atmosphere in a pretty setting on the water. If you are looking for fine cuisine, I would go elsewhere, but if you want a fun place to kick back, hang out, and enjoy a beer or two (or five) then the Butler is the place!
(3)Brandon S.
I visited the Butler on my first trip to Saugatuck. The "Butler Deck" seemed like a nice atmosphere with a view. We were told it would be 20-30 minutes for a table. During this time we sat at the deck bar. 2 white russians will run you $11 and will be served in a plastic cup similar to the ones the college bros use for beer pong. Unacceptable. After being seated, I scanned the limited menu. I chose the Tilapia sandwich. The Tilapia was deep fried, served on a wheat bun. Nothing else. No tartar sauce. No special bun. Oh yeah, with potato chips. If you want fries, it's a couple bones extra. The Butler's poor excuse for a Tilapia sandwich is just plain lazy. The buns could have came from wal-mart. The tilapia filet could have came from there too. It sure tasted like it. When I visit a restaurant, I'm under the assumption that the chefs or cooks have experience creating food that I cannot at home. I want to be in an acceptable and appropriate environment. Lastly, I want excellent service. The Butler's cooks = Crap The Butlers Environment = Quite nice The Butlers Service = Eh I don't mean to seem harsh, but the Butler survives by default. Saugatuck is a vacation town, where naive travelers who don't know any better choose restaurants based on location and image. From the outside, the Butler looks appetizing. After my horrible experience, I felt compelled to warn others of the Butler's sub-par bar food.
(1)Troy H.
Came here on a friday in september Food was OK and over priced. Clientele was 50+.
(2)Jake A.
We come to the Butler every year and we know what to expect. The menu on the patio is small and the food is mediocre. But the scenery is nice and the french fries are good. Go there for a cheap lunch...get the salmon burger (def. not fresh, but who cares!) it tastes good
(3)Shawn S.
For those of you unfamiliar with Michigan's sunset coast, Saugatuck is one of it's minor attractions. It's a sleepy little harbor town with several art galleries, a quaint downtown, and a big party atmosphere in the summer among the boating community. It's a little too far North to attract a bunch of FIPs, but still has it's share of better-than-thou summer home owners. As with most of the harbor towns with an economy based largely on tourist visits, these places are nice to visit in the winter when they have rolled up the sidewalks. Had dinner here on New Year's Eve with some new friends. It seems like a nice-enough bar/grill type atmosphere on the fancier side. The menu was pretty diverse with a selection of sandwiches, steaks, and the obligatory walleye and lake perch. Ordered up the prime rib, which was very good and everyone else seemed to like their food as well. The Walleye was a big hit. It was a really nice place to get the night started. The snow started to fall pretty hard and made this small town turn into a picture postcard. The only problem with the place was the service. After sitting and getting our first drink, it was close to a half hour before we saw our server again. Thankfully, there was plenty of good conversation to make us momentarily forget how hungry we were. When she finally did return to get another round of drinks and a food order, it got better but was still less than average. And they weren't that busy either. The restaurant was full, but that was to be expected on New Year's Eve. For a nice, romantic getaway, I would try it again.
(3)Debra V.
Years ago we enjoyed the Butler quite frequently. So, yes, as another reviewer there is a sentimental thing about this old place. However, the last few times we visited we left vowing never to return. The place is, I hate to say, for masochists. The service has not only been slow, it has been rude.With a dusty menu selection, and much better choices in our favorite town we won't give it another chance.
(2)Rick S.
We have been to the Butler Restaurant four times over the years, most recently last weekend, and always loved it. We eat on the deck outside, the waitresses have all been good, and the buckets of shrimp are FABULOUS, with a great sauce. This last time, they also had a great band. I highly recommend the Butler.
(5)Erin H.
I have a sentimental spot in my heart for this place. It's my grandmother's favorite place and I have had many a meal here. It's great for burgers, sandwiches and prime rib! In the summer they have an outdoor area with it's own more casual/snacky menu - very fun. If you're lucky get a window table during the Fourth of July or Venetian Weekend (last weekend of July) to watch the fireworks! It's a great location and always good for a tasty meal of all your comfortable faves. They have cheap drinks too!
(4)Juan G.
Great view of the lake, food was good, service was great. Smoked cheddar soup was awesome. The view alone was worth the wait, there was also an outdoor bar with live music. Definitely a good time.
(4)Chris S.
This is about as solid a 3-star place as there is. Big, nautical bar with an equally large deck right on the Kalamazoo. The food is decent bar fare and the drinks aren't bad. The staff is really nice. In the summer bands play outside on the weekends. Pretty much a standard bar that happens to be in a great location.
(3)Kayla S.
When ever me and my family are in Saugatuck and we want to go somewhere to eat I always recomend the Butler. Every time I have eaten there I enjoyed it 100% and are the people I am with. The Wallye is a huge hit and is probally ordered the most out of all the fish. Another must is are the Butler fries, and they are super yummy! The service isn't too bad, although the wait can sometimes be a little long. They are open year round but are the most busy on the weekends and in the summer. Holidays are often busy too. During the summer be prepared for a long wait. Also in the summer they will have bands playing and there is bar outside. And on those nights, the outside can be even busier than in on the inside. Even though there is a wait is SO worth the wait! Hope you enjoy the restaurant.
(5)Doug M.
Poor food. Lousy service. Much better options in Saugatuck!
(1)Noelle B.
There was nothing special about the food. I ordered the steak. In my opinion it wasn't done to my specification. The service was a little slow for a Saturday night. The location is great and it's nice to look out on the water while you eat.
(2)Lauren D.
MMmm prolly not. Food here is mediocre - tilapia fish sandwich is most underwhelming. We went here expecting to have to wait on a beautiful day to sit outside, but not expecting to wait and wait and then "accidentally" getting crossed off the list and forced to wait longer. Waitress/service was good but food was blah and we were already buzzed, hungry and angry from having to wait so long. This place is definitely for the 50+ crowd and had a Jimmy Buffet cover band blaring which I'm not into. We'll definitely be seeking out a different hang out next time we are in Saugatuck.
(2)Karl S.
We had lunch on a pleasant July day, so we ate outside overlooking the harbor. Nice atmosphere, good, friendly service and good, traditional food. I had a burger and fries; my wife a chicken salad. Both were good, especially the fries. A nice place, especially if you like being outside by the harbor. Food is not adventurous or fine cuisine, but there is no pretense that it is. It's just tasty and unpretentious food at a reasonable price.
(4)Jamie D.
Old school, but in a bad way. The fish was barely passable and the veggies still had ice crystals inside. I'd bypass the whole eating thing and go directly to the bar. The one down the street.
(1)Laura K.
When we asked one of the locals of a romantic place to go they recommended the Butler. It offers views of Kalamazoo Lake and has that old school nautical feel. It was after dark so we didn't get much out of the view even though we sat at the window. It wasn't too crowded (being a Sunday night in February) and our waitress was very nice. She told us about the specials (beef tips) but also warned us that they were a little tough. Even though this place is "known" for its seafood and steak, we both ordered chicken smothered in cheese (mine with some shrimp and crab and my husbands i'm not sure what else). It was good. Their side of corn bread mash (or similar) was very good. Never had anything like that. I could see where this place would never really be 5 stars but for us it made for a nice dinner out.
(4)Agnes P.
Maybe for a drink or something.......the food was not good at all. My fish was not seasoned, so no taste to it really, I got warmed up baby carrots for the vegetable portion of the meal. All in all it's just bleh, I would definitely never go back there nor would I recommend it. The only interesting thing about this place is it's history: it used to be a steamboat mill and later on The Butler Hotel. With so many other places in the Saugatuck area I would avoid this one.
(2)John K.
Another place we were passing by and stopped in on a whim. Plan on waiting anywhere from 30-60 min for a spot on the weekends. Overall, not too bad but then again nothing too special if you get my drift. Just good food with good friendly service. The lake Perch was decent but I've had better recently and the string beans were passable. You could do much worse in Saugatuck! Some nice entertainment from time to time and would recommend sitting outside. Again, for those of you who think we're eating at some Chicago-Michigan Ave establishment, have a few beers and relax. It is what it is folks!
(4)L M.
Good food. Good service. Didn't make me say wow but we were satisfied. We both had burgers. I had the butler burger which had ham on it. It was good but very salty. I wouldn't order that again. The burgers do not come with fries which I thought made the cost too high. We were hoping to eat outside but the outdoor seating wasn't open. We were disappointed that a lake front restaurant in a tourist town wouldn't have their outdoor seating open. The other restaurants around did. Service was very good. She had our drinks (pop) refilled before we even needed them. That was a nice plus.
(4)Lindy A.
Great food, my husband loved it. Bar staff could have been friendlier. Waitstaff Katie was awesome!
(5)Pat M.
I have been coming to Saugatuck for 15 years and this is by FAR the best service in town. I generally eat at the bar in the off season and on the deck in the summer. The Butler Deck, by far, is the most scenic place to eat in town. The food is always good and the service is EXCELLENT. I want to give kudos to JAKE for being an amazing bartender and also to Steven and Ryan. If you go to the Butler, you wont be disappointed. If you are used to an excellent service standard like I am being from Chicago, you will really enjoy this place.
(5)Jim E.
25 dollars for 2 bad margaritas served in a small plastic cup. Methinks not!
(1)Christina A.
In general the food here was pretty yucky. The view was great and the service was nice so that's why I didn't choose to give it one star. Wish I had check out the Yelp reviews prior to going however.
(2)Colleen M.
We shared salmon spread as an app - good stuff. Had chicken avocado sandwich as entree- was just OK - wouldn't order it again. Groom had fish and chips - was just OK.
(3)James C.
Actually, I would give it more of an indifferent 2.5/5 ... Although a very popular dinner & cocktail place for the boating crowds and shopping tourists, be ready because you'll probably wait for at least an hour if you try to visit on a weekend. In the bustle of a weekend, it is crowded and noisy. Honestly, it's not all that special. Most of the food is good, nothing too daring or exotic in flavor, but others assure me it is relatively consistent. However, on my recent visit, I ordered the "signature" ribeye. What I was served definitely was not a ribeye. Ribeye is not rectangular, and does not have a strip of fatty/gristle across the top edge. When I asked the Bartender/server, he assured me it was the ribeye. Fool me once ... (wink) My experience might have been the result of the bartender/waiter or perhaps a new cook. I'll try one more time, but if I am served a strip/sirloin when I order the ribeye, I for one won't be going back. There's another reputable dinner place just around the corner.
(3)Colette H.
My husband and I are vegans and we WERE fans of The Butler. It has a very nice location overlooking the water. Last year, they offered a Veggie Burger and we liked it. We returned to Saugatuck this past weekend and called to make sure they still offered Veggie Burgers. Unfortunately, the answer was NO. They could offer salads and pasta/sauce/veggies to us, but we were interested in a burger. So, bottom line, we won't return to Butler by ourselves or with friends until the Veggie Burger is back on the menu. I understand that restaurants need to limit their menus, but vegans are a growing population and it would be nice if restaurants offered us more than salads and potatoes, rice, or pasta/sauce/veggies. A few other restaurants in Saugatuck do offer great veggie burgers -- Monroe's, Mermaid, and Wicks Park Bar & Grill that I checked so far.
(2)Ryan M.
Was told 15 minute wait but was more like 30. Burger patty was definitely a frozen patty and cheese wasn't melted. Onion rings were cold.
(1)Tracey M.
I've heard a few people rave about The Butler and I'm not sure why. This is one of those cases it would be helpful to have a half star option as I really feel like giving them 2.5 stars. That said, I am giving them three because I don't want people to think this is a completely awful restaurant. I just wasn't super impressed. The Butler has a nice atmosphere, good service and decent food. They also have a large patio around with a bar which seems quite packed at all hours of the day. I'd be willing to go back here again.
(3)Michelle V.
Had to wait over 30 minutes for a table. Once seated service was good. We ordered the flatbread with the feta dip for our app, and it was very good. I ordered the smothered chicken with a baked potato. This meal was presented to me on a hot platter that looked like a tv dinner tray, an immediate disappointment. I burned my finger on the metal potion of the plate. The potato was, a potato. Nothng special. The chicken was disappointingly bland. Do not order it. Disappointing end to what started as a decent meal. Low rating was due to the entree.
(2)Kory C.
I have had better, their "famous" Butler burger was OK but being a "famous" burger I expected something better. I was upcharged for Butler fries to go with my burger. Butler fries are a joke, its a potato chopped into a few pieces and deep fried, no seasoning or anything on it, I was annoyed that I had to pay extra for a simple potato. My girlfriend ordered sweet potato fries (upcharged 3 dollars) and they had no sauce to go with them, we asked for honey but they didn't have that either. My girlfriends mom ordered regular french fries (again upcharged) and they gave her a laughably small amount, she had to complain to the waitress for more. The waitress gave her a little bit more but had no apologies for us and it seemed like she was unhappy to help. We came in to celebrate my girlfriends birthday, and when we asked if they did anything for birthdays our waitress said they could put a candle in a piece of cake for us (which we would have had to pay for), so she could have just responded "no". The location was beautiful and the outdoor bar seemed fun although it was too hot for us to try it out. For the price this place is a flat out joke, overall it was an annoying experience all for some average food. It was very disappointing and I will never be back.
(2)C. G.
Always sit outside. Service is solid. Food is good as well
(4)Mat M.
I'm giving The Butler a 4 star rating, not necessarily for the food...but for the pure scenery. The outdoor deck/patio is AMAZING! The service was good, and I'd give the food a B-. Not good, not bad. Worth the visit!
(4)Justin C.
Great atmosphere out on the deck! We ordered burgers, everyone was thought they were great and filling!
(4)Ruth L.
Relaxed atmosphere; patient waitress (Who had to return to our table several times to take our order because we were so indecisive with the many different and tasty offerings).
(4)Kevin O.
A very nice restaurant with fantastic service. The best part about it was the location. Get there on a nice day, sunny and not too hot and sit outside. It is wonderful. We had a great chicken salad sandwich which was just perfect for lunch. A little bit pricey but that is what you get in a tourist town and you are sitting overlooking the water. Pay for the views and location - it is worth it. Definitely worth the wait to sit outside on a nice day. Makes all the difference in the world!
(4)Karen M.
Great for drinks and appetizers. Nothing fancy. My husband and I sat on the bar for about 6 hrs ... 3 pm to 9 pm on a Friday and had 3-4 appetizers and tons of wine and drinks ... 200 bucks ... so we spent 33 bucks per hr and we had a blast! I have dined there before and is not great. There are better places in Saugatuck.
(4)Lauren S.
I need to make a repeat trip to The Butler in the summer so I can see what this place is really like when the town is in its peak season. A few friends and I went last weekend for the day and stopped at the Butler for an appetizer and a drink. We only had a couple of small things and they were pretty good, not great, but good for a little snack. We ordered the flat bread with Win Schuler's Bar Cheese (always a favorite). The cheese was amazing but the "flat bread" turned out to be slightly toasted pita bread. Pita bread is fine, but then call it pita bread! I was expecting something else. The location, however, is incredible. The restaurant is right on the water and there are a lot of boat slips right outside. I bet it gets jammed in the summer, which would be a lot of fun to see. I wasn't blown away by this place but I would definitely go back in the summer to check it out again when I can sit on the deck and enjoy the sun!
(3)Art C.
The Butler Deck is the best place for eating outside in Saugatuck. Relax with good food. Two friends said the veggie burger is a real good one and the hotdog was very tasty. Close to the water's edge and comfortable seating, too. Service was quite good.
(4)Maria M.
It's places like these that make me wish there were zero stars or negative stars ratings available. My guy and I met another couple for lunch. We ordered mediocre (at best) bloody marys and the other couple walked up later as parking was a disaster. When the other couple walked up to the bar, they had some small cups of soda in hand (which I can see would be frowned upon, but they had about one sip left a piece and were about to order another round from the bar) and set those drinks on the counter. The bar manager reached awkwardly over me and threw out both of their drinks. When my friend said "You know, you could treat us like adults and ask that we finish them outside or throw them out", the manager grumbled under his breath. It was so offensive that we immediately left and went elsewhere. I was a server for years and often people roll up with drinks from elsewhere. You kindly and casually ask that they finish them or throw them out. This power tripping maniac is cruisin' for a bruisin'. Luckily my friend's hubby has self control but I look forward to the day someone jumps over the bar and punches this chubby short buzz cut 34 year old loser manager. Good day! ;-)
(1)Jessie I.
Completely "blah". The food was just as bland as the interior and exterior design. A very boring and dark color scheme, and an unoriginal menu. I ordered sweet potato fries and my friend ordered a veggie burger on texas toast with a side of chips (which was literally 5 Ruffles thrown onto the plate). On the upside, it was super cheap, her bill under $8, mine under $4. Service was quick and our waitress was very friendly. The rest of the service people were standing around looking quite bored. This really isn't a horrible place, it's just not fun, exciting, or different. Seeing how I don't go out to Saugatuck that much, I was looking for an interesting place to eat, and that's not what I got. Don't go here if you're expecting it to be unique or unlike anything we have in Grand Rapids. There's plenty of other unique, tasteful restaurants in this town to be discovered, so I would suggest that unless you have a huge family of young, picky eaters and just want some regular-ass food, leave this one behind!
(2)alicia b.
The butler is a nice nostalgic place.It was built in something like 1890, as a hotel,then revamped into a restaurant/bar. It still looks like its the 1900s in there. Very very old looking,could really use a little love and soap and water. The tables are covered in yucky green vinyl tablecloths that need to be retired stat. They are sticky and gross to set your arms on. The waitress I think are forced to dress like old ladies.They all have black long skirts on even the young waitress we had.Refresh everything, Butler! The food was ok,I had a grilled cheese on rye bread with grilled onions,I guess it was a patty melt minus the meat.Sam ordered a turkey club.The sandwiches were good but they were sided with chips,that were obviously lame greasy Jays or Vitner chips. Make your own if your gonna serve chips. The worst part is the fact that they allow smoking.I didnt realize this at first otherwise I would have left immediatly.I think the smoking is only in the bar but the bar borders a good protion of the restaurant so its pretty smelly smokey in there. Very appetizing..
(2)Ryan T.
What a disappointment! Cool location, neat history but everything else just was bla. We wanted to sit on the patio so we went to the host stand. They advised there was a second host stand at the patio so we checked in and she advised it was an hour wait. No thanks. So we went back inside and we were seated. The host and I assume the manager seemed very unhappy. We sat at a table by a window looking directly over the patio. We noticed there were 3 or 4 tables that sat empty the entire time we were inside so I am not sure of the validity of the hour wait. Anyway, our server inside was not good. I ordered one of their "famous" burgers and the wife got a steak. One of her sides was asparagus- which is REALLY hard to screw up... but they did. I think they were just steamed or boiled with no seasoning. Strike 1. My burger came with Butler fries, which are basically a sliced potato, again no seasoning... Not even salt! Strike 2. Server never gave us refills, and we had to wait a LONG time for her to bring A1 and sour cream. She decided to clean a table next to us and cash out another table and then vanish for a while before bringing the two items. Strike 3. If you are in the area I am sure the deck is a nice place to sit and get boozed up... but skip the food- I can make a better meal blindfolded with items from my freezer.
(2)Charm S.
The lake perch and steamed green beans were good, and the peach pie was awesome - and stated from a non-dessert lover. The ambiance was atrocious - old stained carpet in a 50's supper club style room. You expected the unfriendly and unhelpful staff to have a cigarette dangling from their lips...
(2)Jo M.
We came for drinks on a Friday night on the deck. They had a live band playing and that is what drew us in. The drinks were good, but a little watered down. The music was fun and they got a bunch of people to get up and dance on "the dance floor". We had a good time.
(3)Chris H.
Do not take your kids to the deck. We had a big group, 8 adults and 10 kids. We were there for a Monday afternoon before lunch rush so got some tables. Then they shared we had to sit by table by check. They could not figure out how to split checks otherwise. Then they shared that we could not order kids meals outside either Would have been great to know that before sitting down. They also charge you if you split meals. Nothing like a 1lb burger for a 2 year old. When I suggested that they may mention to others before they sat down, the manager shared with me that they had a menu outside and we should have seen that. Not very helpful. Food was adequate but nothing special
(2)Adonis P.
Saugatuck is a frequent summer spot of mine. For some reason I'd never been to the Butler. Maybe because it was always packed in the summer. Well the other day marked my first "off season" visit to the town. No crowds and it rained. Perfect time to try the Butler right? Wrong. After being seated in the total rear of the building for some obscure reason (there were only 2 or 3 other couples there at the time) , the waitress asked for orders. Being new to the Butler, we of course wanted a few minutes to check out the menu. She acted like we were keeping her from something else. So we ordered drinks. About 7-8 minutes later we placed our orders. The food came out surprisingly fast, and was surprisingly good. Good for bar style food. Definitely not a "fine dining" establishment regardless of what they pretend to be. The Butler solidly gives off that old money vibe. Old money that has petered out and is now living off the past "glory days" long gone. Like a previous review commented, lots of Dean Martin types sitting at the bar swigging bourbon and remenicing. Not really my crowd. So, good bar food. Old, stale ambience. So so service. Feh...
(2)Nichole F.
Was lured to this place on a windy and chilly evening. It looks so inviting and like it's been a mainstay for a long time...which I can appreciate. I was so excited to see that the first Friday of each month, they make cream of crab soup. I ordered the walleye for dinner and was thankful that a cup of soup came with it - so of course I went with that special once a month crab soup. Needless to say I was SHOCKED when the soup came and I realized that there is NO CRAB in the CRAB SOUP but rather imitation crab. Seriously? WTF? You might as well just serve the crap up every day. There is nothing special at all about it. The walleye was nice and fresh but I just can't get over the soup. It is not inexpensive and it just is not anything special at all. I would say that if you have a big group or have kids, it seemed to be a good place for that.
(2)Agnes P.
Maybe for a drink or something.......the food was not good at all. My fish was not seasoned, so no taste to it really, I got warmed up baby carrots for the vegetable portion of the meal. All in all it's just bleh, I would definitely never go back there nor would I recommend it. The only interesting thing about this place is it's history: it used to be a steamboat mill and later on The Butler Hotel. With so many other places in the Saugatuck area I would avoid this one.
(2)Rachel K.
Should have read the Yelp reviews. Went to Saugatuck for an impromptu 3 day vacation and didn't research anything -- felt like playing it by ear all weekend. A number of restaurants and bars were closed for the season as of October 15th, so we didn't have many options to pick from. We happened to walk past The Butler while we were walking along the dock and smelled the burgers cooking -- they smelled smokey and delicious, and with there being a line of people waiting at the door, we figured that this must be a great restaurant. We put down our names for a party of 5 and the hostess told us the wait would be 30-45 minutes. That's fine, we figured, we'd just walk along the dock. Came back about 25 minutes later and were sitting around for 15 minutes -- asked the lady how much longer, to which she told us that she had called our party 5 minutes after we put our names down and that we could now expect to wait another 30-45 minutes. We sat outside this time and our party was called within 10 minutes. Why would they tell everyone 30-45 minutes? They had a number of people hear that and leave, complaining that the wait was too long, when in reality it was under 15 minutes. As a side note, when we were done with our meal, I was sitting outside and heard a person complain about the wait -- I mentioned to them that it would likely be less than a 15 minute wait, but their party left to the neighboring bar. Good choice on their part as the food wasn't great anyways, but The Butler was losing a ton of potential guests. Anyways -- the food. Myself and another person in my party ordered burgers while the other 3 people in my party ordered the 8oz (or maybe it was 10oz) sirloin or the surf an turf special (sirloin and mahi mahi or shrimp). My burger was fine. Nothing special, but not overpriced. I ordered the Black & Bleu burger and couldn't complain. My sister ordered the Olive Burger and was fine with her choice, as well. Nothing special, not a whole lot of taste, but not horrible. The 3 people that ordered the sirloins or surf and turf didn't finish their meals. First off, the sirloin was the oddest cut of meat I'd ever seen. Each person covered their steak in steak sauce, too, saying that the steak had no flavor. My grandma and mom gave up half way through, saying that the steak was dry and tough. My boyfriend found numerous bones in his mahi mahi mid bite. The Butler did remove one of the steaks from our bill, but it's a bummer to have a meal that leaves you hungry. Stay away from this touristy attraction.
(2)Craig M.
Food was good. Old school seafood bar.
(4)Tom T.
Great burgers. Good fish. To be honest I do not understand all the bad reviews. I have been coming here for 20 years and I have never been disappointed.
(4)Mary Y.
This place isn't bad if you're over 50, and enjoy pretty stock food. My family and I all visited on our annual trip to Saugatuck. We usually go here and have an ok experience. The food was ok, not stellar. The $9 stuffed mushrooms were the house "special"; and more expensive than my burger, which was better. I saw a lot of Dean Martin look a likes, complete with cigarette and whiskey sour. This place seems to cater to those older who have the money to own huge boats on the water, and stumble off to hit the mainland for some average food. Service was ok, food was ok, I am sure there are better spots in town. I've just gotta find them for next year. Or maybe I can wait about 20 years and find me a sugar daddy.
(3)Ani B.
loved sitting at the window looking over the marina. no boats in off season. food was so-so. started with the Chicken Vegetable Soup -wow! home made and so delicious. had i known it would be that great, i would have skipped the veggie burger (its spicy black bean) which came on a white bun rather than a whole wheat as the menu stated; and got a large bowl. hubbys reuben was ok i guess. don't remember any complaints. The real complaint was the "ice tea". can't say what it was but it was not fresh brewed. it was something carbonated but could not place the taste. Do skip that! all in all would return if it is off season and i can sit at the window. have left in past years cause there were no window seats.
(3)Reuben H.
If you're looking for a great bar/grill visit the Mermaid for better food, same price.
(2)Kara G.
The Butler is a Saugatuck institution that provides "dive" bar atmosphere in a pretty setting on the water. If you are looking for fine cuisine, I would go elsewhere, but if you want a fun place to kick back, hang out, and enjoy a beer or two (or five) then the Butler is the place!
(3)Brandon S.
I visited the Butler on my first trip to Saugatuck. The "Butler Deck" seemed like a nice atmosphere with a view. We were told it would be 20-30 minutes for a table. During this time we sat at the deck bar. 2 white russians will run you $11 and will be served in a plastic cup similar to the ones the college bros use for beer pong. Unacceptable. After being seated, I scanned the limited menu. I chose the Tilapia sandwich. The Tilapia was deep fried, served on a wheat bun. Nothing else. No tartar sauce. No special bun. Oh yeah, with potato chips. If you want fries, it's a couple bones extra. The Butler's poor excuse for a Tilapia sandwich is just plain lazy. The buns could have came from wal-mart. The tilapia filet could have came from there too. It sure tasted like it. When I visit a restaurant, I'm under the assumption that the chefs or cooks have experience creating food that I cannot at home. I want to be in an acceptable and appropriate environment. Lastly, I want excellent service. The Butler's cooks = Crap The Butlers Environment = Quite nice The Butlers Service = Eh I don't mean to seem harsh, but the Butler survives by default. Saugatuck is a vacation town, where naive travelers who don't know any better choose restaurants based on location and image. From the outside, the Butler looks appetizing. After my horrible experience, I felt compelled to warn others of the Butler's sub-par bar food.
(1)Troy H.
Came here on a friday in september Food was OK and over priced. Clientele was 50+.
(2)Jake A.
We come to the Butler every year and we know what to expect. The menu on the patio is small and the food is mediocre. But the scenery is nice and the french fries are good. Go there for a cheap lunch...get the salmon burger (def. not fresh, but who cares!) it tastes good
(3)Shawn S.
For those of you unfamiliar with Michigan's sunset coast, Saugatuck is one of it's minor attractions. It's a sleepy little harbor town with several art galleries, a quaint downtown, and a big party atmosphere in the summer among the boating community. It's a little too far North to attract a bunch of FIPs, but still has it's share of better-than-thou summer home owners. As with most of the harbor towns with an economy based largely on tourist visits, these places are nice to visit in the winter when they have rolled up the sidewalks. Had dinner here on New Year's Eve with some new friends. It seems like a nice-enough bar/grill type atmosphere on the fancier side. The menu was pretty diverse with a selection of sandwiches, steaks, and the obligatory walleye and lake perch. Ordered up the prime rib, which was very good and everyone else seemed to like their food as well. The Walleye was a big hit. It was a really nice place to get the night started. The snow started to fall pretty hard and made this small town turn into a picture postcard. The only problem with the place was the service. After sitting and getting our first drink, it was close to a half hour before we saw our server again. Thankfully, there was plenty of good conversation to make us momentarily forget how hungry we were. When she finally did return to get another round of drinks and a food order, it got better but was still less than average. And they weren't that busy either. The restaurant was full, but that was to be expected on New Year's Eve. For a nice, romantic getaway, I would try it again.
(3)Debra V.
Years ago we enjoyed the Butler quite frequently. So, yes, as another reviewer there is a sentimental thing about this old place. However, the last few times we visited we left vowing never to return. The place is, I hate to say, for masochists. The service has not only been slow, it has been rude.With a dusty menu selection, and much better choices in our favorite town we won't give it another chance.
(2)Rick S.
We have been to the Butler Restaurant four times over the years, most recently last weekend, and always loved it. We eat on the deck outside, the waitresses have all been good, and the buckets of shrimp are FABULOUS, with a great sauce. This last time, they also had a great band. I highly recommend the Butler.
(5)Erin H.
I have a sentimental spot in my heart for this place. It's my grandmother's favorite place and I have had many a meal here. It's great for burgers, sandwiches and prime rib! In the summer they have an outdoor area with it's own more casual/snacky menu - very fun. If you're lucky get a window table during the Fourth of July or Venetian Weekend (last weekend of July) to watch the fireworks! It's a great location and always good for a tasty meal of all your comfortable faves. They have cheap drinks too!
(4)Juan G.
Great view of the lake, food was good, service was great. Smoked cheddar soup was awesome. The view alone was worth the wait, there was also an outdoor bar with live music. Definitely a good time.
(4)Chris S.
This is about as solid a 3-star place as there is. Big, nautical bar with an equally large deck right on the Kalamazoo. The food is decent bar fare and the drinks aren't bad. The staff is really nice. In the summer bands play outside on the weekends. Pretty much a standard bar that happens to be in a great location.
(3)Kayla S.
When ever me and my family are in Saugatuck and we want to go somewhere to eat I always recomend the Butler. Every time I have eaten there I enjoyed it 100% and are the people I am with. The Wallye is a huge hit and is probally ordered the most out of all the fish. Another must is are the Butler fries, and they are super yummy! The service isn't too bad, although the wait can sometimes be a little long. They are open year round but are the most busy on the weekends and in the summer. Holidays are often busy too. During the summer be prepared for a long wait. Also in the summer they will have bands playing and there is bar outside. And on those nights, the outside can be even busier than in on the inside. Even though there is a wait is SO worth the wait! Hope you enjoy the restaurant.
(5)Doug M.
Poor food. Lousy service. Much better options in Saugatuck!
(1)Noelle B.
There was nothing special about the food. I ordered the steak. In my opinion it wasn't done to my specification. The service was a little slow for a Saturday night. The location is great and it's nice to look out on the water while you eat.
(2)Lauren D.
MMmm prolly not. Food here is mediocre - tilapia fish sandwich is most underwhelming. We went here expecting to have to wait on a beautiful day to sit outside, but not expecting to wait and wait and then "accidentally" getting crossed off the list and forced to wait longer. Waitress/service was good but food was blah and we were already buzzed, hungry and angry from having to wait so long. This place is definitely for the 50+ crowd and had a Jimmy Buffet cover band blaring which I'm not into. We'll definitely be seeking out a different hang out next time we are in Saugatuck.
(2)Karl S.
We had lunch on a pleasant July day, so we ate outside overlooking the harbor. Nice atmosphere, good, friendly service and good, traditional food. I had a burger and fries; my wife a chicken salad. Both were good, especially the fries. A nice place, especially if you like being outside by the harbor. Food is not adventurous or fine cuisine, but there is no pretense that it is. It's just tasty and unpretentious food at a reasonable price.
(4)Jamie D.
Old school, but in a bad way. The fish was barely passable and the veggies still had ice crystals inside. I'd bypass the whole eating thing and go directly to the bar. The one down the street.
(1)Laura K.
When we asked one of the locals of a romantic place to go they recommended the Butler. It offers views of Kalamazoo Lake and has that old school nautical feel. It was after dark so we didn't get much out of the view even though we sat at the window. It wasn't too crowded (being a Sunday night in February) and our waitress was very nice. She told us about the specials (beef tips) but also warned us that they were a little tough. Even though this place is "known" for its seafood and steak, we both ordered chicken smothered in cheese (mine with some shrimp and crab and my husbands i'm not sure what else). It was good. Their side of corn bread mash (or similar) was very good. Never had anything like that. I could see where this place would never really be 5 stars but for us it made for a nice dinner out.
(4)James S.
Sadly, this place could be much better. The Butler is famous with the locals and tourists. When we were there it was very busy and all of outside seating was taken. I guess they are doing something right. According to the history blurb on the menu, The Butler started as a hotel in the 1800's. Later in the 1960's (?) they tore off the top two floors. It does not have much of a historic feel and looks like it has not been remodeled since the 1960's. The menu (likewise) looks like it has not been remodeled since the 1960's. You will find all of the usual suspects. Plenty of fried things, salads, sandwiches, burgers etc. Nothing wrong with that, just know what to expect. We were there with a family group. The food was OK but no one raved about anything.
(3)Dylan M.
Nice outdoor patio on the water and well staffed. This is the main reason to come here IMO. Come for simple drinks and to sit outside. Don't expect much from the food. I ordered lite but everything was premade and brought to the table as fast as my beer was. Peel N eat SWIMPZ are worth a try. Stay away from the chips/salsa N quauc unless u luvz red white and brown dyed stale chips and brown guacamole.
(2)Ermelinda C.
Great outdoor seating, OK menu, OK but somewhat slow service.
(3)Anna-Marie W.
While on vacation in the Midwest, we visited a small lakeside town in Michigan called Saugatuck- a village of quaint shops and restaurants. Per recommendation by my hosts- we decided to have lunch at The Butler- a Great Lakes institution since the late 1800's. It's a rustic old building- once a three story hotel but in the 1960's the hotel was closed and the top two floors were removed- leaving just the one story restaurant and bar. I had to start with the clam chowder which was thick and buttery- very rich for an appetizer. My hosts decided on a simple but classic hamburger. Though my boyfriend Chad and I rarely eat meat, I have to admit that this burger was cooked perfectly medium rare for me. It looked tasty and according to my hosts- it was. Chad had the Grilled Salmon sandwich with a balsamic glaze. The fish was served on a Kaiser roll with lettuce and tomato. The salmon was plump and juicy while the bun and veggies were fresh. Sweet potato fries was his choice as an accompaniment. Crispy and sweet- he enjoyed these as well. I ordered the beer battered cod sandwich on a French roll with lettuce and tartar sauce. I am normally not a big fried fish person, but this sandwich was light and flaky though generic. Not too much different than the fried fish sandwiches you'd find at a fast food establishment- only less greasy. The restaurant had a great view of the boats in the harbor, allowing one to overlook the dark and drabby seaside décor and old wooden tables inside. However, it was cozy and the food was tasty and fresh- worth a visit at least once.
(3)OldIrvingPoodle H.
The 1 star is for the fact that the service is just unpleasant...not family friendly. It's unfortunate since it was a rainy day when we were there; you would think they want business. Menu said they had mac and cheese - too bad that's the inside menu, so my son can't order it outside.
(1)Pauline S.
Frat boy food, red cups included with a gorgeous view. 2 stars for the view and the outdoor deck
(2)Nathan F.
Average food. Excellent view, atmosphere, and setup for drinks. Standout for chow was the Boom Boom Shrimp - crispy, spicy, and savory. Skip the burgers - lukewarm and pedestrian. In sum, come here for drinks and apps only.
(3)Tanya L.
You know how the lovely patio is the best part of the meal? Well, not if you have kids. The place has a completely idiotic policy of not allowing patrons with children on the patio WHEN THE BAND IS PLAYING. Because what will the irresponsible me do when allowed away from the hostess' watchful eye? Duh, buy my preschooler a margarita, OF COURSE. So, if you dared to bring your spawn to this pantheon of great food and adult good time, no fresh air for you, you get to stew inside. Because duh, the band is playing. Add to that the obnoxiously rude hostess, and what you have is a soured taste for the whole evening. Now, they did not poison us. My prime rib was good, as was hubby's burger. The spawn seemed to enjoy his mac-and-cheese. The margarita (drunk by me) was all right, although there was hardly any salt on the rim (yes, I'm picky like that). The potato-ish mushroom-ish soup was mediocre, as were the onion rings and the boring steamed asparagus. The waitress was fine. In general, probably an avoid for us next time we're in Saugatuck.
(2)Toni F.
The Butler is a Saugatuck well known destination because of the location and the view in my opinion. It certainly can't be because of the atmosphere or the food - both were pretty standard fare on the weekend we visited and yet during the "high-season" there are frequently lines to get into this place - I don't get it. We went with a group of 8 on an early fall weekend. The decor is very outdated but you get the benefit of beautiful views of the water so don't bother to look around inside the place. We tried a variety of menu items, nothing worth noting but everything including the drinks, just as expected. The service was friendly too. I would never wait in line to eat here, unless we missed something - I would likely recommend many other Saugatuck spots that have better food and cocktails.
(3)Angela H.
Always great food and decent prices. Good for a nice local date night now and again. Great place.
(4)Krista V.
An ok place. We sat on the deck which was nice but did not have a spectacular view. The service could have been better. It was a little on the slow side but considering it was Saturday night in a tourist town at the dinner hour, we did expect to wait a little bit. Our waitress wasn't overly friendly and only checked on us once during our meal. She didn't seem to be very visible. The food was fine, general normal type fare. I would go there again but would definitely try other places first before I returned to the Butler.
(3)David C.
Reuben was small and the chips were standard off the shelf grocery store chips. Not a good value for a $10 sandwich. Kids meals were very small and $6. Chicken strips were more like nuggets. I had to ask for more for my son. All my kids left hungry except my 3 year old. Service was ok.
(1)B A.
I was excited to see pan fried walleye on the menu, my favorite! Not sure what went wrong in the kitchen but it tasted like rubber, so overcooked I could barely eat any of it. Very disappointed and offended that I had to pay nearly $20 for the experience. We had seat inside with a nice view overlooking the water and deck, the wait staff were fast and friendly, I've had great burgers here before. Just really disappointed this time. Will not be ordering fish here again.
(2)Joanne S.
My family and I have been to the Butler many times over the years and I have to say it's one of my favorite places to eat. Many reviewers have called the decor old and drab but I think of it as nostalgic. I happen to like the ambiance here and the food is wonderful. I've had everything from burgers to steaks and I have never been disappointed here. The wait staff is very nice and the service has always been excellent. If you want a nice sit down place to relax from a day's worth of wandering through the shops of Saugatuck, this is the place to go.
(5)Erick K.
Overall, this was a very bad experience. The staff was rude and frazzled on a moderately busy Saturday night. The cocktails were actually disgusting, given how simple and unoriginal the ingredients were. They were so sweet from the cheap mixers that they were undrinkable. Our appetizer was shrimp cocktail, which shockingly consisted of only 5 small-medium shrimp unceremoniously smashed into a glass cup, served with unquestionably canned cocktail sauce for 12 dollars. This place is a tourist trap that survives mostly because it has a nice location. Would never return.
(1)Kate L.
Great large patio for a sunny afternoon meal. Bloody Mary and margaritas are a little weak. Wings and onion rings are standard. I got the chicken club sandwich and found the chicken kind of fatty - didn't really cut easily which it should have. Great place for a burger and a beer.
(3)Rae M.
We have been here a few times. The staff is very friendly and we love the outdoor patio with the live music. I love the atmosphere but not the food.
(2)Jessica F.
I live relatively close to Saugatuck (about 15 minutes) I go there quite a bit in the summer generally for the beach. I recently started to discover their downtown area for shopping and restaurants. I came here with my family for Easter Sunday and it was a mediocre experience. We got right in, the interior is a bit outdated, the crowd is on the older side. We got a table by a window that looked out to the channel, which was beautiful, our service was kinda slow when there really wasn't that many people in there for Easter lunch. She was very friendly though. Food was pretty good, I got the Fish and Chips, the rest of my family raved about their food. I would have gone and tried a different place in the downtown area had I known so many places were open on Easter Sunday. Overall...good food, okay service.
(3)Erica D.
We came to The Butler based upon a recommendation from a local artist in the area on where to eat sit down non-ice cream dessert after a long day of boutiquing. We were not disappointed! We snagged an excellent location next to the fire place and were able to watch the sun go down over the harbor and the Christmas lights display come on little by little. Scenery wise, it was pretty, relaxing, and cozy. My niece and I each had cheesecake served differently. The slices were scary big, and were fabulous! Nothing will ever come close to my grandmother's cheesecake but The Butler's was definitely scrumptious and one of the better desserts I've had in a while. My mother in law opted for the key lime pie which she raved about on the way home. They offer a lot of other dessert choices as well. If you need a place to wind down over coffee and desserts in Saugatuck, I can't think of a better spot.
(4)Alexandra K.
We've come to this place for years just to enjoy the view. The crowd is your typical older folks and tourists. The food is quite good and you can never go wrong with their clam chowder. It's a staple in the town. -Complementary Bread: they give a nice loaf of bread on a cutting board and even though I didn't have a piece, my friend ate the ENTIRE thing so it must not have been too bad. -Clam Chowder: it's filled with potatoes and clams and it's nicely creamy (but not too creamy). It is very well spiced and comes out piping hot! -Caesar Salad: I love the Parmesan shavings atop the well-dressed salad (and by that I mean the amount of Caesar dressing was perfect). -Burger: The burger is nice and think and cooked well. I also love how they aren't skimpy on the cheese they melt so nicely on top. -Salmon with Gorgonzola: it's delicious. A huge piece of salmon that is perfectly cooked. It is quite creamy and each piece cuts nicely. The Gorgonzola on top is nicely crusted and adds a great taste to the salmon. -Perch: it is nicely and thinly breaded but the portion is quite small and they aren't as flaky as I would like. -Fries: at least this time they were fried in old grease so they were too crunchy and gross. Change your grease more often, please. FINAL VERDICT: Nothing to rave home about but certainly not bad. We come time and time again because the view over the lake is lovely and the food is good. That salmon, yum.
(3)Christine T.
Prime rib was sold out last Saturday eve, so it was perch for me and walleye for my side kick. Walleye won my vote. Clam chowder was meh. Funny to read the other reviews complaining about kids not allowed on the porch with the band- that's great news, since I don't seek to sit with the small fry crowd- take em elsewhere.. Solid attentive service.
(3)Chris K.
Food is excellent! Steaks are seasoned very well and have lots of flavor. The burgers are great but like to slide out of the bun. Service was great too and very friendly. Couple things, few items are frozen that shouldn't be...fries, not to good. Here's the thing: We ate on the edge of the room where the second room begins. Half way thru, they turned off the lights in the room next to us. DARK! People at my table told me to keep my mouth shut so we ate in a kind of a dark area, and the restaurant itself is already pretty dim! Oh well. So 3 stars because they should know better than to turn of lights in the middle of service at a classy place like this. Also for the frozen items.
(3)Valant J.
This place is so far below average. I am only giving it 2 stars because of the view. Saugatuk is such a cool city so do not ruin your trip by eating at this junkyard. The chips that were served with my mediocre sandwich were Ruffles potato chips from a grocery store. Service was terrible and we were served drinks in red solo cups. The waitress we had didn't even have enough respect to take off her sunglasses when she was taking our order. There was supposed to be bacon and avocado on my sandwich and I could barely tell from the very tiny amounts that were given. Very plain and bland food with no flavor whatsoever.
(2)Peter M.
Still good hamburgers and the old yacht club ambiance. I grew up sitting at establishments like this with my grandfather at the bar. For some reason the Older hostess said my 7 year and I could not sit at the empty bar because of 'state law'. I've been to the Butler regularly as a child and as an adult and avid mariner. However after this experience with the hostess I'm calling it quits. There's many other options in Saugatuck.
(1)Dave T.
The view of the lake/river was the best part of this joint. The food was average at best, no draft beer outside and the server we had was only OK. Food came out in a reasonable time frame. I'd personally find another spot in town for lunch
(2)Rachael Z.
We visited Saugatuck for a few days immediately after our wedding, and had a pretty hard time finding a nice restaurant to have dinner at. We inspected as many menu's as possible, and winded up at the Butler. The Butler was a standard, old school restaurant. Drab interior with muted colors, old fashioned bar and an older crowd. The food was good - nothing special, but it was certainly packed in the restaurant. Prices were pretty decent, but overall, nothing stuck out here. I'm sure in the summer, it's a great restaurant for a fun view off the lake. For the immediate area and having to walk to a restaurant, it's a good choice, but don't expect fine dining. We were NOT wanting to drive, but for those open to taking a short trip, skip The Butler and head to Everyday People Cafe!
(3)Krystal R.
Had a great time here. Went for drinks one day, sat outside on the patio in the sun listening to a great cover band. Next day we ended up here again, had drinks and lunch. I would recommend the peel n' eat shrimp (fresh), buffalo wings (nice and crispy, classic flavor) and bang bang shrimp, and shrimp tacos. Super cute to sit out on the patio and take in the view right by the yacht club.
(4)Luke C.
Great appetizers and juicy burgers. Chicken Wings were fried to a crisp. Stuffed mushrooms were delicious, the artichoke dip with pita chips were great. I had the signature burger with the ham. I would definitely order again. They have a great outdoor deck with a huge octagonal bar. A must stop by to eat and drink when in Saugatuk.
(4)Molly C.
This is an obvious tourist trap for well-to-do boaters who don't care what their food tastes like. In January, they take a little time and care with their food--we stopped in for a burger and bowl of chili once a year and a half or so ago, ate at the bar, and enjoyed it. However, in the summer, it's magically transformed into a musty old Red Lobster lookalike, the kind of place that "runs out" of their special by 11:30 in the morning and serves thawed, food-service-grade burgers and iceberg lettuce salads with bottled ranch dressing. Prices are high, the wait is long, the food is disappointing at best and inedible at worst. Obviously, the point is to collect as much money from unsuspecting tourists during the season as possible. I'm not a tourist and I won't be back.
(1)Melanie I.
Best part of the butler, the outside patio and live music. Only problem is that it's so great, people don't want to leave and the wait can get pretty high. Great fun atmosphere. Onion rings, burgers, steak and pizzas area all delicious.
(4)John L.
Food was okay. Service was slow slow slow. We had a party of seven for a bday. Server cashed us out even though we were planning to stay. Then never cleared our table. Charged us for a mistake drink. Ceci was one of the worst servers I have ever had. It was a Friday. Lots of staff. No reason for crappy service. Will not be back.
(1)Janet T.
I can't comment on the food as we've only been here for drinks on the outdoor patio. Cold beers in the sunshine overlooking the water...you can't beat this place.
(5)Abby A.
The deck is our go to place! A great spot!!!
(4)Mike T.
The best stuffed mushrooms ever! The hostess is pretty short, and rude. Otherwise, the staff is good. This food is overpriced for the quality, but I would still go back. Been there multiple times.
(3)Joe L.
Went today for lunch. The wait was about 15 minutes - not bad considering it's Sunday at Noon. Side note-the hostess was a blonde knockout - much to my wife's chagrin, I had to catch myself a few times when she was seating other customers. My kids even we're checking her out! Anyways, we ordered a couple drinks off of their summer specials menu - they were good, not great. Our food came about 25-30 mins later-also not bad considering how busy it was. Now, the food was dynamite, fish & chips done perfectly. Burgers, chicken tenders and cod sandwich all very good. The fries were great- seasoned and crispy. Our server was very good - attitude and quickness was appreciated. Now to the reason it got only four stars instead of five. The bill. Look I understand it's Saugatuck and everything's overpriced, but holy cow. $ 95 (with tip) for lunch. Ouch.
(4)Rachel B.
We we walking around the streets of Saugatuck looking for an affordable place for dinner and this ended up being the one! I ordered the Chicken Quesapita and I was very pleased, it was very flavorful and I loved the pita over a regular tortilla. I also got to try the wings and the other half of my friends sandwich and both were tasty! Another plus was that the food was brought quickly.
(4)James B.
We've always had great service and food whenever we go to The Butler, and tonight was no different. Had the Gorgonzola salmon, done perfectly!
(4)Amy V.
I've been to The Butler a couple of times while vacationing in Saugatuck. Let me throw out there right off the bat that the 4 stars are for the beautiful outdoor waterfront seating. I've never been inside and the food on the patio is only worth 3 stars. It's very simple really. This place has good drinks and good burgers. Nothing spectacular but a fun place to hang out, eat greasy food, and maybe tie one on. Don't order the salmon burger, it's disgusting.
(4)Kira T.
This place was HORRIBLE. It looked so cool and was on the water. Our service was terrible, the waitress seemed annoyed. I got an 8oz fillet and crab cakes. It also came with asparagus. The asparagus was I think boiled, soggy, mushy, no flavor. Steak was flavored well but the crab cakes were very very tiny and thin and looked more like a pancake. They were mushy. It appeared my plate had been setting for awhile as everything was room temperature or under. I would never ever go back here and am very upset I wasted my money. They need to get it together. This isn't the caliber of food this area needs.
(2)Shari M.
We stopped here for lunch. Burgers were great! Service was great. Would eat here again.
(5)Kat F.
i love this place! great food! great butler fries! good prices. nice people. lots of food! great drinks! missing one star because we arrived during shift change and it took a while to get menus. also has a strange low bar, not a bad thing, just a little strange. comfy chairs though!
(4)Kyle M.
Great service! Enjoyed the lake perch and Butler Burger! The atmosphere is great but the interior is outdated. I would come back.
(4)Sue S.
Went here yesterday, have not been here for 20+ years, and now I remember why. Deck view is pleasant, Bloody Marys nothing special, hamburgers just ok, fries were nice and crisp. All things considered, skip it.
(2)Jim B.
We love the Butler ad have been coming here for 30+ years. Never a bad experience. Love it there.
(5)Gil A.
Service was good. Great location but the food was blend. We were 7 of us, each had a different order and none was good. Better make your own food.
(2)Lisa W.
I enjoyed my birthday lunch at The Butler very much, so back off haters. We sat inside and had a great view of the water. I believe Carla was our server and she was polite, not too friendly, but fine. You don't go to a restaurant to make small talk with the server anyway. We ordered the cod sandwich with onion rings and the stuffed mushroom caps appetizer. Both delicious, though the mushrooms were slightly better. I didn't think it was too pricy for a nice lunch (I'm from Chicago) and I liked the atmosphere. I have no complaints! In fact, I'd even go back.
(4)Dan C.
This is a review on the deck bar. Nothing special. You will probably get attacked by bugs at night. Sad margarita.
(3)Anna N.
well at least the food was not dry, but it wasn't very tasty either. One would think that with the association of the yacht club the food would have been outstanding!
(2)Erik A.
Don't bother. The Butler is bad bar food. I went there for lunch during my last trip to Saugatuck and found the food a small step up from McDonalds. I ordered the "Butler Burger" Medium, since that is what they are known for. It came out medium well with less than fresh lettuce and tomatoes. I rarely send food back, but what they served my was not edible. The second burger was fine, but upon finishing it I noticed some kind or "crud" baked onto the plate. Yeah, nasty. The only reason I gave it two stars, is b/c the Sweet Potato Fries were decent.
(2)Alyssa M.
We just went there for drinks, but the service sucked. Not only did we get id'ed twice but the bartender refused to serve my 30 year old brother because he didn't know what a Montana id looked like. With many other bar options, I'd skip this place and find somewhere with decent bartenders.
(1)Peter J.
SERVICE WAS WONDERFUL!! However I must of got the last of the prime rib because it was awful. Drenched in au jus that was super salty.. DISGUSTING! My friends walleye was fish. The perch was great and so was the surf and turf.
(1)Daphne L.
This review is solely for the Butler Deck. The best place to be on a sunny day in Saugatuck; on the water, good drinks, nice patio, great service. The crowd is mostly the Muffy/Biff/Biffy boating set, but, overall they're a decent bunch.
(5)