I recently had breakfast at the Dew Drop Restaurant in Gladstone. I ordered the country fried steak…read morewith eggs over easy, hash browns, sourdough toast, and a freshly brewed unsweetened iced tea. The food was about what I expected. It wasn't exceptional, but it wasn't disappointing either. Everything was prepared as ordered, and the meal itself was perfectly acceptable. One thing I genuinely appreciated was that they serve freshly brewed iced tea. Living much farther south, I've always preferred brewed tea over fountain tea, and it's something that's sometimes harder to find the farther north you travel. Every so often I visit Gladstone to see my mother-in-law, and I enjoy supporting locally owned restaurants whenever I can. I was looking forward to a quiet breakfast by myself with a glass of fresh brewed tea because it reminds me of sitting with my great-grandmother years ago. Unfortunately, the experience took an unexpected turn when I received my check. Before ordering, I had specifically asked the server whether the tea was freshly brewed rather than fountain tea. When she said it was, I ordered it without giving the menu another thought. After years of traveling throughout the United States and Canada for work and eating in restaurants almost daily, I simply assumed brewed iced tea refills were complimentary, as they almost always have been in my experience. It wasn't until I looked at my bill that I realized I had been charged for each refill. I had two glasses of unsweetened iced tea at $2.99 each. Seeing nearly $6 spent on tea alongside a $13 breakfast was genuine sticker shock. At that price, the beverage felt more like I was paying for a premium drink, such as a beer or a margarita, rather than iced tea. When I asked about it, I was told the restaurant has to make money and that brewed tea costs more than fountain soft drinks. That explanation didn't make sense to me because brewed coffee also receives complimentary refills. Looking at the typical costs of operating a small restaurant, brewed coffee, freshly brewed iced tea, and fountain soft drinks all appear to cost only a few dozen cents per serving once ingredients, equipment, utilities, maintenance, and labor are taken into account. While every restaurant's costs are different, the actual difference between these beverages appears to be relatively small, so I found the explanation difficult to understand. This wasn't really about the extra few dollars. It was about the surprise of discovering the charges only after the meal and the inconsistency of offering complimentary refills on brewed coffee and fountain soft drinks while charging for brewed iced tea. I appreciate that Dew Drop serves real brewed tea, and I enjoyed supporting a local restaurant. I simply hope they reconsider this policy or, at the very least, make it much more obvious to customers before they order. Had I known refills were charged at full price, I likely would have ordered something different. That small change in communication--or a change in the refill policy--would have made what was otherwise an average breakfast a much more enjoyable experience.

Food was pretty tasteless Portions were on the stingy side…read morePrices seemed a bit high for this kind of place However the Cole slaw was good

The place had an outdoor window for ordering and indoor ordering. Tables were available inside…read more There were many options available. Their small consisted of two scoops and it was a good price. The server was young and friendly and nice and efficient.

The Gladstone Dairy Flo has been in business since 1958. Great little ice cream and made to order…read morequick burgers, fries and lots more!

After reading the menu my cousin and my wife and I selected items for dining. The waiter urged…read moreselection of 3 sides for my cousin - and, since my wife likes sweet potato fries, added the sweet potato fries to her order for steak and shrimp plus 3 sides. I ordered the cod and 2 sides (reduced to two pieces of cod) from the same menu. at that time, NO mention was made of price changes for the sides. We think - if the menu says 3 sides included - that they should not incur an 'add-on' charge - the word INCLUDED doesn't mention additional cost. those that incur a cost should be separated from the selections that are included, and not listed mixed into the included ones. We dined, but the waiter apparently does not have much experience - and had to be asked for steak sauce, and shrimp sauce. Those normally are either offered at time of order - or brought with the steak and shrimp. When I received the bill, I was surprised that the "included sides" had been charged and the price for them changed from what shows on the menu. When I protested that isn't what the menu states - the other waiter (older and maybe more experienced), said that the owner increased prices on the add-on sides. I replied, "that isn't what the menu lists and I'm not paying for increases not listed." I consider this deceptive advertising - it would have taken only a few minutes to adjust their printed menu prices with an ink pen and be 'up front' with diners about the prices one is expected to pay. I wonder how long it will take before the prices are either inked in to be accurate or reprinted menus provided... I don't know what others think about this, or how many others actually look at the prices - - but I plan to find other places to dine out when I come to visit my cousin for a couple weeks a year. The bar two doors over has great food too - and their menu reflects the prices that are on your bill. I looked at the Jacks online menu today, May 8, and the higher prices for add-on sides shows there. The increases/changes are not reflected in the in-restaurant printed menus as of May 7. Things like that might have something to do with the rather sparse turnout last evening or it could be some other factor in play. Years ago, Jacks was always crowded when we came to visit.

Very friendly service and the food was amazing! Great battered cod; the soups were delicious and…read morethe cheese curds were yummy! So glad we found this restaurant during our trip!!

If I love anything more than my own children, it's bar food. Sometimes you just need to bury…read moreyourself in some greasy, fried food made under the music of Led Zeppelin or Sammy Hagar by a cook two packs deep and three shots in. As a solo eater this evening, I naturally ordered an appetizer and a burger, to get that full bar food effect. The appetizer was five (5) breaded jalapeño poppers. Those bad boys came out in the traditional paper boat only a bar can serve food in. It comes with ranch and when I popped that top off the little plastic ramekin, my heart melted more than when I saw a double rainbow. You guessed it. Home. Made. Ranch. You could put homemade ranch on a stick and I'd eat it. The poppers had that perfect breaded crunch, perfect amount of cream cheese filling, and good jalapeño taste. Poppers w/ life changing ranch 8/10. My main course was an olive burger. Nothing particularly popped out at me on the menu, so I just took my time scanning it and let the Bar of Influence™ guide me. I started with just the typical Bay de Noc burger, which is just "burger and bun." Direct quote. But I called an audible and decided to roll with the Olive Burger. Now, personally, I believe a top notch Olive Burger is made with an olive spread AND mayo. Not just olives and mayo. But, sometimes just that olive flavor calls and I don't care how I answer the phone. (To be clear, I answered the phone and it was just olives and mayo). Since I was feeling extra gluttonous, I added another patty. Stop. I know. I call myself those names, too. I do think that bonus patty might have been the patty that broke the camels back. Don't get me wrong, I polished it all off, but I felt degraded afterwards. OBDP (Olive Burger, Double Patty) 7/10. OBSP (Olive Burger, Single Patty) 7.75/10 "But what about the fries?" - You, probably. Okokok, relax. The fries were actually amazing. I never know the name/style of these fries (they looked normal with kind of like crispies stuck to them. Also kind of batter-y? I don't know. I'm not a potato). They had a crispy potato-y outside with a soft potato-y inside. They were the perfect doneness. Unknown Potato Style Fries 10/10. The ambiance was your typical bar type ambiance. High tables, low tables, pool table, juke box, tvs with sports, keno. Good spot. Go do it.

Buddy and I stopped in on our way to deer camp for some lunch…read more He had a burger and i got the walleye sandwich. Service was quick, and our waitress was helpful in getting anything we needed. My sandwich was a bit greasy, but tasted great. The waffle fries i ordered were also solid. No issues at all, decent food. If we ever are around later in the day, the pool tables they have would definitely get some use.

Hit-or-miss. Last visit, awesome, this visit, yeesh. Something changed drastically: looked at Ham &…read moreCheese ingredients and can't pronoun half of them. Texture was mushy, crust flavorless. Filling and that's about it. Nice folks tho.

A "pastie" may be the norm in this area, but I was here as a tourist and am not used to eating one…read more Our bus stopped here. The location is well marked with plenty of parking. The restaurant was clean. I noticed that they ship their pasties anywhere you want, for a few $ of course. You can also buy them there frozen if you want to prepare them at home later so they and hot & fresh.

A shining star on the Escanaba dining scene, where I consider myself a seasonal semi-regular…read more Matera is a hit w locals and tourists, as the dining room is always packed. They had a wait for tables on one of my visits, as it was packed. The staff was hustling! Being a bartop diner, I am free of waiting for a table, although the bar also gets busy. RaeAnn, Caroline, Alexa, and the lone dude Dom professionally run the bar with added personality. Lately I've had the Meatball app (generous portion) with half Bolognese and half Alfredo. I've also found the Chicken Marsala Fettuccini to be worthy. The Roman style pizzas are also very good. Nice crust. When in town, I'll be there.

Surprisingly upscale ambience for hotel restaurant. Varied menu for all tastes & price points…read more Service slightly above any on Thurs. happy hour. Ordered tasty House Salad (big enuff for 2), free bread are akin to pizza rolls; Chicken Parmesan tasted OK but 1 ding: top cheese was burnt affecting meal; Fettuccine Alfredo had rich mushroom flavor and huge portion.

As you're driving into Escanaba you'll be slowly mesmerized by all the signs that mention Gram's…read morehas been here for 16 years and it'll make you want to go. Which is what happened to me. Stopped by for an early dinner and I was ecstatic that there was no one there so I could get my Pastie right away. As you walk in you'll see a giant board that shows how far and wide people come from to try these pasties. The furtherest I was London. They have a huge menu that's hard to miss and tell you exactly what's hot and ready. I had the Rutabaga one and I've never had one before, which to my surprise I ended up really liking. The lady in front is very helpful too and kind so make sure to ask for a pin before you leave and mark it on the map.

The Pastys here are awesome! I want to try them all! I will…read morebecause I plan to be back! The best thing is when you're just traveling through, they have frozen Pastys for you to purchase! I got several Breakfast and Beef & Potato. The crew in Wyoming (my next work location) were jealous of my lunches!

The best take home to cook pizza. Flavor is good and you can adjust your toppings to even a quarter…read moreof your pie. Accommodating staff. Very clean and has other offerings.

Six people on shift. 3 of them were sooo slow and holding up progress for the 2 who seemed to know…read morewhat they were doing. (Friday 29 October 4PM).