Dining in Saugatuck
 

We have a group going to Saugatuck this weekend. We are staying at the Mason Street Suites. I am looking for recommendations for restaurants. We were there a couple of years ago and ate at the White House which is across the street and thought it was very good. I have been reading mixed reviews about Toulouse and heard it was overpriced. Has anyone been to either of these recently? We are also considering Mermaid, or if anyone has any other suggestions. We would like to make reservations somewhere, if possible, since there are 10 of us. I think we would prefer to eat somewhere right in town so we can walk there. Thanks!

Toulouse is overpriced and overrated. The Mermaid is fair. The White House has expanded in the past few years. Still a nice place to go. Avoid The Butler and The Boat House - not so nice. Morrows has decent Italian and pizza. Not a lot on atmosphere though.
If you don't mind getting in your car there are much better restaurants in Douglas (only a few minutes away). Every Day People is highly recommended. They have a great patio and the food is FANTASTIC! Blue Moon is on the Blue Star Hwy - good food, nice atmosphere.

Parisinspring,

I'll be in Saugatuck in a few weeks with my family (three kids). Any suggestions on a good family-friendly place to eat?

I guess it would depend on what you're looking for. Coral Gables is right on the Kalamazoo river (Water St). They have a great deck with typical bar food. There are always a lot of families there. The only restaurants I would not recommend with kids is Toulouse ($$$) or the White House. The White House is a restaurant and wine bar. Not sure that they would be kid friendly. The Butler has a nice outside deck at the end of the Kalamazoo River (at Water and Butler St). I haven't been inside in a long time, but I remember it as being more "old folks". The restaurants I said not to go to in my earlier post may be kid friendly, but the food is not great. In Douglas, Everyday People is kid friendly. I wouldn't recommend the Blue Moon with kids.
Be sure and take the Dune Buggy Ride (you'll see signs along Blue Star) - its a lot of fun. Kids of any age (and we adults) still love it!!

Thanks for the info. My kids are older, so behavior isn't a huge problem, but I don't want to take them anywhere that is more adults-only. Eating outside with them is always nice.

The last time I was in Saugatuck was about four years ago, and we ate at an English pub-type place. I can't remember the name. Do you know if it's still in business?

I think you're talking about Chequers (close to Toulouse) and they are still in business. Another restaurant I forgot about that is good is Phil's. They're known for their broasted chicken (and great martinis). Here's a website for Saugatuck that has a lot of info.
http://www.saugatuck.com/index.asp

One restaurant I forgot to mention is Ida Red's. They're only open for breakfast and I think lunch - fantastic food and service! You have to get their early because the place gets really busy. It's worth the wait!

Enjoy!

On the outskirts of Saugatuck (can't believe I wrote that) there's a golf course with a good grill and restaurant, Clearbrook Country Club. Maybe a mile NE from downtown Saugatuck, almost to the highway.

I live in Saugatuck year around. Marro's which is open from mid-April to October can't be beat. It's a local favorite which should tell you something. Another local favorite in Saugatuck is Wally's. Across the bridge to Douglas both Wild Dog and Every Day People Cafe are very good. In the summer months when the weather is good a restaurant called the Red Dock which sits right along the S.S. Keewatin serves great sandwiches and offers a great view of Saugatuck.