This Lakefront restaurant is so fun. The outside Tiki Bar is so cute. The food and drinks were so yummy and reasonable prices. They have a small parking lot, but you can tie your boat up, which is great. read more

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Stopped by for dinner last week. Was looking forward to traditional great perch dinner. Went with the breaded instead of sautéed. My wife had the sautéed walleye and it was delicious. The perch was commercial breaded and not very good. I should have tried it sautéed. I was quite disappointed. Service was good as always. read more

The service was very good, attentive and courteous. The food was very good, we Noth had the taver burger, cooked to perfection and delicious. Beer was ice cold. The atmosphere was pleasant, could use a little more attention to cleaning. read more

For decades I would have told you the BLT had the best Lake Perch around. Nope not anymore, it has changed for the worse. The breading is not good, sure it was a money thing with vendors but I can get frozen fish filets at the store. Service is always good. read more

I would not go out of my way to eat here. Overpriced and quite frankly tasteless. I was served essentially raw broccoli without any seasoning or sauce. The potatoes were cold, even though the food suspiciously arrived 5 minutes after we ordered it. The steak tasted microwaved, was uncomfortably chewy but had those perfect grill lines on it, that looked drawn on. The steak had some cheap watered down sauce on it with maybe a couple maybe marinated canned mushrooms on top. I will say the blackened perch was acceptable. Not for $25. The gin sour cocktail was trying to be a craft cocktail and still tasted like a sloppy well drink with a higher price. It is a quaint tavern off the water and definitely is a local hot spot. One of those cult following places. Busy during high service times. read more

Food is good, service was eh ok, and the place itself is just to small for its location. Overall, I give it a 4.

Thursday night at the BLT and it was awesome. We sat at the bar and had amazing service from the bartender whose name I already forgot I had the pear ginger snap cocktail and it was delicious! Mr had an Oberon which was as good as an Oberon is. For dinner I had the steak sandwich and it was SO GOOD! Instead of shaved steak it was sliced filet mignon, cooked as request - medium. The bun was grilled and was so soft. Mozzarella cheese was melted and gooey, onions grilled to perfection. Served with au jus and a big ol' pile of hot, crisp fries. Mr had perch dinner. The fish was HOT, flakey and tender. He loved their tartar sauce and he's a tartar connoisseur. There were several pieces of perch and another pile of fries. The Cole slaw wasn't overly sweet or saucy. Tasted like it was made from scratch and not the standard food supply kind. Overall an excellent experience. So glad we went again! read more

Cute little lakeside gem--think "quaint" but with a side of "are we lost?" Service was off-the-charts phenomenal; the staff smiled so hard I checked for hidden cameras. We swung in for a quick nibble while chasing Fall Colors (spoiler: the leaves won; we just got hungry). Menu roulette didn't exactly land on jackpot. Mozzarella sticks? Solid 10/10... if you're judging the frozen Gordon Food Service aisle. Marinara sauce, though--chef's kiss--actually tasted like tomatoes had a party and invited garlic. The guacamole? Oh honey, it was trying. All the usual suspects showed up--avocado, onion, cilantro--but lime juice ghosted the invite, and salt must've been stuck in traffic. It was less "¡Ay ay ay!" and more "Oh no." Pro tip: Hire a Hispanic kitchen wizard. Not for heat--just for flavor. Someone who knows guac isn't a suggestion, it's a lifestyle. read more

Not Worth the Wait. We were told there'd be a 45-minute wait, which we were fine with until we called while trying to park and were told they wouldn't add us to the list unless we walked in first. Annoying, but whatever. At least there's a small bar outside, which helped pass the time. The ambiance is what you'd expect from a small lake town casual and unremarkable. We were excited to see both clam chowder and chicken tortilla soup on the menu, two of our favorites. Unfortunately, both were incredibly thin and almost flavorless. I genuinely love clam chowder, and my wife is a tortilla soup fanatic but both were a complete letdown. We figured, "Well, maybe the entrées will make up for it." Nope. Warm coleslaw (oddly flavorful, but still weird), and four tiny pieces of perch. After a 45-minute wait, we expected something memorable but got bland, overpriced, and forgettable. Smart choice would be two kids perch dinners for $22 instead of the adult dinner. If you're deciding where to eat in the area, do yourself a favor and pick somewhere else. Clearly, the long wait is not a sign of quality, just a symptom of limited options in Muskegon. read more

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The food was amazing! I had the grilled chicken pesto sandwich, and my wife had the blackened grouper fish tacos. Both were amazing meals, very filling and tasty. The service was quick and the waitress was very attentive. The ambiance was a bit lacking but the food definitely made up for it. read more

Excellent service, excellent food and a nice setting on the patio. If we had arrived any later it probably would have been too cool on the patio but it worked out fine. Highly recommend and will return. read more

Stopped in and had a great time. Was the bar tenders first night, she was top notched.

We had a wonderful experience at the BLT on Thursday evening. I ordered the 2/$10 margaritas and they brought it in one large glass instead of two small, which I appreciated. Our server was so friendly and helpful. I had the chicken pesto sandwich with grilled chicken. It was phenomenal! So flavorful, chicken was perfect, loved the pesto aioli. My husband had the perch and he said it was the best plate of perch he has ever had from BLT. My daughter had the new Alfredo and she added filet on top. Her pasta and filet were cooked perfectly! My son had boneless wings and fries and he enjoyed his meal. His wings came with celery and he asked our server if they had peanut butter and she brought him some! So nice and greatly appreciated. We sat at the table that is in the entryway. I could see how some people may not like that. We did not mind and we liked being away from everyone else in the restaurant. Love the vibe at BLT (and especially in the summer). read more

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Delicious food! Stacey took amazing care of us! Got the surf and turf, blackened walleye and kids boneless wings! Everyone was extremely satisfied! The sauce on the mashed potatoes was outstanding read more

BLT is a great restaurant and an okayish tiki bar. During the summer season, you can expect long wait times to sit indoors, but the food and drinks are completely worth it. Staff is busy but friendly. Their fresh squeezed. Margaritas are amazing and David at the bar is an expert mixologist. We usually dine on the whitefish with their house, mashed potatoes and gravy, and are never disappointed. Outside is a completely different story while the tiki bar is a fun concept the food and drinks are subpar compared to inside. All of the drinks are canned, including the cocktails and are greatly marked up. Food is very limited and for the price point, (think overpriced bar food) simply not worth it . The service is also lacking outside. So for me BLT inside is a 5 star experience and BLTiki is a 2 star. read more

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Tight quarters but still able to hold a conversation with each other and not feel intrusive. Started with an old fashion, not the best I've ever had but good and it looks great in a photo . We also had the buffalo wings which were delicious. The clam chowder was ok and just a little above room temperature. Hubby had the yellow belly perch with onion rings ands he thought it was very delicious, and I agree! I had the shrimp Mediterranean style and that was also wonderfully yummy. Service was very friendly and even with the busy restaurant she (I'm doing bad lately with names, sorry) did a great job keeping up with all tables. Prices are average with dinners around $20-$25. Since we came in the winter it didn't seem to be too busy, however the tables were always full but we got a table right away. Parking can be tight, especially if it gets real busy but if you find a spot...stay for a delicious meal. read more

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We ALWAYS love the BLT!! Food is always great (chicken pesto sandwich, steak sandwich, perch, burritos, etc)!!! Service is always prompt. The margaritas are the best in town! Will go back again and again! read more

We enjoyed the ambience and decor at Bear Lake Tavern. The food was decent but nothing over the top. The burrito meat was seasoned a little differently and the red sauce didn't impress. My friend had the fish tacos and really enjoyed those. Our waitress was very kind and attentive. It is a very busy place and the parking is limited and crammed. The tables/booths are very close together and you can clearly hear your neighbors conversation. It feels very crowded in there in such a small space when you you visit at a busy time. We would go back for drinks and try the fish. Overall ok! read more

Bear Lake Tavern - Fish tacos / Burrito - American Near Me - North Muskegon, Michigan

Amazing food & great service. BLT is my family's restaurant in Muskegon. The steak sandwich is the best I've ever had & the fish is always fresh & delicious. read more

Underwhelmed - and over-charged. Husband & i went to the BLTiki via boat today. Weather & staff were wonderful. Understandably, there's a limited menu at the Tiki, but the $10 burger w chips & $15 (?) Shrimp Po Boy were mediocre. I was so looking forward to the fish, etc, that everyone raves about. Well, so, okay; lesson learned to eat inside. But, then, when we got our bill, -it's not a big deal, but the prices were different than what was stated on the blackboards. See below. $6 beers = 6.24. $18 became $18.72? The bartender said it was a tax on food. But there is no food tax in Michigan, just the 6% sales tax, which is on the bill. Could someone explain this to me? read more

Bear Lake Tavern - Extra cents added to stated prices. - American Near Me - North Muskegon, Michigan

Waitress untrained, table of 6 plus high chair after peak lunch hour (2:30). She took our order for drinks 4 waters 2 bar beverages and let us sit for 30 -40 minutes. I went to the bar to get a second drink after ordering 15 minutes prior and our waitress and other staff were chatting by the kitchen. Beverage was sitting on the bartenders pickup pad. They Delivered our food order and again never came back to check on us after I asked if she could check in on us a "little"more often? Had 2 toddlers so timely courteous service was expected. I won't ask why the wedge salad floats in a sea of blue cheese, but you can't get the dressing on the side??? Worse yet all our dirty lunch plates sat on the table and when she brought the check had to put in our hand as the table was never bussed! We got up placed our dishes on empty tables beside us which I never do. read more

The perch and calamari are my preferred meals at this restaurant. Service is good. The atmosphere is that of a bar/restaurant, not fancy, not a dive. read more

We came to Thrashers Bear Lake Tavern on a recommendation and we were hoping to sit outside in their "channel" seating but it was simply too cold during our visit so we were seated inside the restaurant. The menu is pretty extensive and I probably would have studied it more if the perch hadn't been so highly recommended. I saw grouper listed close by so figured the best option would to order one of each. The blackened grouper was excellent and the perch was exactly as advertised. Service was great. We'll be sure to come back when we can enjoy sitting outside on the channel but that will unfortunately have to wait until next summer. In the meantime, I can see a few return visits until then. read more

Bear Lake Tavern - Perch dinner - American Near Me - North Muskegon, Michigan

My husband's family's favorite place to eat when in town. What a treat. We did not make reservations so when we arrived there was a 1/2 hour wait. Lucky for us the titkti bar across the parking lot was open so we walked over and had a drink while we waited. The Restaurant is an old restaurant so the parking lot is tiny, and the venue is small but definitely worth a visit. The staff is super friendly, the food especially the perch is fresh, and the view next to the water is relaxing. We spent around $150.00 with a tip for a Calamari appetizer, Two fish entrees (perch and white fish), Two rum and Cokes, Two margaritas, a dessert shot that they were kind enough to write the recipe for. It's a one stall bathroom in the far back, was a little messy by the end of the day but you get that with a lot of Lake living and people. I just really enjoy the history of the facility and the fact that their food is made with love. read more

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I can't say that I had the best time ever here, but it also wasn't incredibly disappointing. I had a few people recommend this restaurant to me, and I was expecting more. Surprisingly, it is quite a small place!! They did add on a deck area which increases seating quite a bit, and there is also a very cute Tiki area outside above the water, but that was not open when I was there. It is accessible from the water which is really cool - a nice feature for the lake. The menu was not that enticing - I honestly couldn't decide what to get because nothing stood out. I ordered the Grouper, though, and the fish itself and the mango salsa were really good. The rest of my plate was pretty meh. My friend ordered the Perch, which I guess is the well-known thing to get. The cocktail and beer list didn't impress me, either. Our service was really good, and it seemed like everyone working there was on par with that. read more

The BLT tiki bar is a nice place to have a drink while sitting by the river. The ambience inside is also nice and there is a patio off the main dining room. This is a small but quaint establishment. The food is somewhat hit or miss, but more hit the miss. I enjoy the fish tacos but I always substitute Grouper for tilapia because I find tilapia disgusting I also like their walleye, though the portion is a bit small. The chips and guacamole are a good starter. The wine menu is nothing to write home about but the cocktails are pretty good. The 3 1/2 star rating is way too harsh. I would say BLT is a solid four-star. It could be a 4 1/2 star with some minor menu adjustments. read more

Really liked our meals. Small place - parking is a disaster but the food was delicious all around. My husband loved the different sauces/gravies that came with the land and sea dish. The steak for being small had no fat and was very tender. The red mashed potatoes were also very yummy. read more

The perch were crispy and delicious although two filets that my wife had were bony. The fries were crispy and excellent, as was the calamari. The clam chowder was thin with no clams and almost no potatoes, a distinct loser at our table, and the coleslaw was lacking in flavor. Two of our party had the steaks and they were good. We did have good Arnold Palmers for drinks and they were also good. The server was attentive and got all of our plates, six in our party, at the same time. All in all, the pluses outweighed the minuses, and we would go there again. read more

We went for Vets day 11/11/2024. Great service, great experience and the food was excellent. Met the owner and expressed out gratitude for his special Veterans Day meal. He went above and beyond walking around restaurant thanks each Veteran individually. Class act. Thank you very much. Troy B, US Air Force Veteran. read more

Such a cute place but the food has gone so down hill since the new owners took over. They had new menu items in a plastic display. It looked like it was typed on a home computer and it looked so tacky. I think they cover up proteins that are not fresh by using "blackened" seasoning. We got the mussels. Obviously microwaved as some were hot and some were frozen. Disgusting. No consistency to their food. Hobos nearby is always consistent and delicious. read more

Food quality is good. Prices increased again with new owners! Best dish imo is the perch and walleye. Unfortunately, for them Whitlows on airline rd is much better priced and better breading with more fish. Hobos is now better priced too! You don't have to go very far to get better pricing and better selection. Granted, the perch and walleye are very good just too high priced and lesser portions! The service is very good. Parking is very limited! New owners means higher prices although 2 for 10 margaritas are a great! They close early as well so if you are looking for and open kitchen and bar a bit later you should call first! read more

We stopped here today since it is under.new ownership. I found them to be under staffed, but who isn't these days? We had a little wait, but that was because tables needed to be cleared. Once seated our server took our drink order. Funny thing is these ladies are literally walking so fast to take care of everything they don't have time to say hello or even smile for that matter. We received our drinks and straws as she was running past. The food is still the same, the same menu and quality. Love their coleslaw! I noticed that the windows need cleaning, Maybe inI time, they will be able to hire a couple more staffers. The people love Bear Lake Tavern read more

Bear Lake Tavern - 1929 Burger - American Near Me - North Muskegon, Michigan

Love this bar! If you want a great cozy tavern, With food that is off the charts and truly craft drink by Dave then come here, you won't be disappointed. Dave is the best! Just beware the manager, loud and rude and unprofessional. it was disappointing to see someone, much less a leader, be so inappropriate in front of the customers... read more

Such a cute little bar/restaurant nestled between two of North Muskegon's finest inland lakes right on the channel. Pull up a car or a boat dockside and enjoy a drink at the Tiki bar outside or come inside for a drink and a meal! I ordered the steak sandwich which was delicious. The steak was so tender and delicious. This is a must do for us each trip. The staff is friendly and attentive. Only downside here is the one stall bathroom. read more

Went for lunch at noon, Saturday before New Years, with a table of five. I will start off by saying that our waitress was probably filling in for three, but her service, attention, and attitude was top notch. Food was pretty good, nothing over the top. One specialty, Pommes Frites, really sounded good. I got a small filet, cooked correctly, but smothered with canned gravy with mushrooms. Campbells soup style. The frites were crinkle cut frozen fries al la Ore Ida frozen foods. I really expected better for the price. Other foods served that day looked good, and everyone had a nice get together. If you are going to serve a "French Favorite", Step up the game. read more

Best burrito and margarita I have ever had. Very good. Great service and atmosphere too.

I can't say enough good things about this place! Friendly service, solid food and GREAT margaritas. Fairly priced, to boot. Who could ask for anything more ?!? read more

We arrived on the Tuesday after Labor Day around 3 pm and had the place to ourselves... schools are back in session and vacations have unfortunately come to an end. Service was very attentive but not overly so which could have happened being the only ones in the joint. Hopefully after this review mid afternoon will pick up !! We enjoyed the walleye and substituted steamed veggies for the fries... the fish was sautéed perfectly and seasoned nicely . Also the steak salad was killer , steak to perfection with grilled onions and mushrooms, barely needed the vinaigrette it was so tasty. Great bar with many fish options and the always available bar burger. It's small so it was a luxury not having to wait . Come by car or boat. You'll enjoy it read more

Have not been back in 15 years. Still the same place. Love the add ons and the food and service was excellent. Will be going back.

September warm evening--nice on the patio. The house salad was served promptly with our requested blue cheese dressing. Fresh and crispy. The filet mignon in the classic sauce was prepared perfectly but the classic perch was dry and overly salty and the coleslaw bland. Very disappointing for a classic dish everyone told us to order. Nice place; friendly staff. Busy on a Friday at 4 pm. Keep up the great work! read more