Public House was the only restaurant in the area that you could really count on for a regular tasty vegan brunch. In fact, several of my friends traveled to the area specifically to visit Public House. Sadly, the menu has changed and there are no only three items on the menu for Vegans. The items are the Strawberry Shortcake,which was a prior favorite, but has been reduced in its appeal by the omission of the vegan cream that topped it off and the other items are a Burrito Bowl, which is available anywhere you go through the addition and deduction of conventional food items, and the Chik n waffle. This reduced menu of three items compared to the 24 + conventional items on the menu is extremely disappointing. Service wise the greeting at the front door was very slow when there was only one other patron in front of us. It literally took 10 minutes to be greeted and the restaurant was not full compared to its previous more appealing times for Vegans where you really did have to wait. The staff was over all very friendly and accommodating. You couldn't ask for a nice group of people. And the diversity of the team is amazing....it is noticed and valued! The strawberry shortcake without the whip cream is good but the vegan whipped cream makes a difference and was notably missing. The Bloody Mary was pretty good. Overall...it's a ok place for Vegans but no longer a great place us. read more

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We stumbled across Public House on our way home from a weekend road trip. They graciously welcomed us on a busy Saturday morning and were able to accommodate our impromptu visit with a short 10minute wait. The space is adorable and welcoming and the staff were just as welcoming and helpful to us, as first-timers. Public House has an extensive vegan menu that they are pretty proud of. We however opted for the regular Pastrami Hash and Chicken & Waffles. Both were delightful from taste to texture! The chicken was fried and seasoned to perfection. The fresh veggies and amazing mornay sauce made the pastrami dish my personal favorite. We look forward to trying them intentionally very soon! read more

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So unfortunately have to remove some stars. The vegan food went downhill since the previous chef left this place. Last two times we went there we left disappointed. It's not as it used to be. Carrots were hard, not cooked enough and so much smaller than last time about a year ago. Buffalo Cauliflower was dry as hell, the Buffalo sauce was just slightly drizzled over, no flavor whatsoever. I had to ask for extra sauce. Very disappointing. Portion very small. Other dishes were also average. The best one was the eggplant parmesan pasta. I don't know what is going on with this place but it seemed like they don't care that much anymore with providing exceptional dishes. Everything just became average. read more

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The music was loud, too loud for conversation, and completely out of sync with what I typically look for in a brunch. Therefore, the conversations on either side of me were unnecessarily loud. And uncomfortable. First date situation. Many of the tables were full, luckily there were still a few larger ones still open. Seating at the bar was filling up, as well. I checked the menu before the visit; the choices were limited to bennies and pancakes - I just wasn't in the mood. So, I had my usual, burger and fries instead. Specifically, it was a smashburger, topped with cheddar and a fried egg, pickle spear, and fries. The burger was delicious - I typically like my burgers medium rare (more rare than medium) - but the thinner patty, prepared to a medium, worked. The fries, however, were a bit drier than I would have liked. Service was fine. read more

Public House - A view of the bar. - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Ferndale, Michigan

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Excellent brunch today! Lexi took care of my table and provided wonderful service and gave helpful suggestions. I really appreciate that they have an entire vegan menu along with a regular menu. From the vegan menu, I enjoyed my mushrooms hash. I wish there had been more mushrooms though, to balance the potatoes. It was a large brick of crispy potatoes. Delicious, but dense. It was a lot. I also had a side of vegan cheesy grits, which were tasty. The side portions are very generous in size. My friend enjoyed her garden scramble. They have a cocktail called "Leslie" and of course I had to have it. If you like grapefruit like I do, this is for you. I also had a tart and fresh mock tail called Rubus, and it had real blackberries in it. Both drinks were delicious! I really appreciated that there were hooks on the wall so I could hang my purse. Located in downtown Ferndale, this is a popular place. Good vibes and friendly people. read more

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We were extremely underwhelmed by our experience. We met a friend here for dinner a couple of weeks back and don't need to go back. First off, if you're not a warm weather person this place won't be for you--it was as hot in the restaurant as outside. I like the outside option for folks who like heat, otherwise front for AC, please. We split the cheese curd, which they present as deep fried balls with a dipping sauce. Ours were extremely well done, which was fine, but the balls were so hard that we had to cut them open, as we literally couldn't bite them. For dinner I had the steak & frites, which is steak, fries and zip sauce, both of which were just above room temperature. My husband had the fish and chips, which he said were very good, so the evening wasn't a total wash. The asparagus felt overpriced--3 pieces for $7!, especially since it too was barely above room temp. Why didn't I complain? Our waitress never came by the table until we were nearly through--i was going to say something, but I finally ate my food anyway because I was tired of waiting so long--at which point she brought our check. We were never even offered drink refills. I don't need to go back. The best thing I can say about the place is that I liked their art work. read more

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I've been to Public House a few times, and I always have mixed feelings. On one hand, the food is pretty decent, but on the other hand, it always feels a bit overpriced for what you actually get. I've tried their brunch and dinner, and while they were alright, there's just something missing that I can't put my finger on. And considering it wasn't mind-blowing, the price tag was a bit too steep. I must admit, though, they do have a wide range of vegan options, which is definitely a plus. Another benefit is the decor. I do really like the style there. It feels extravagant yet cozy. All in all, I'd still give it another shot, but I don't think it would be my top choice. read more

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Been here a few times since they opened and this review is based on all those experiences. Parking is not fun. It's Ferndale. Leave extra time to find a metered space. The wait to get in during prime time is lengthy. Reservations are never available last minute. My suggestion is to make them ahead on resy, visit early/late/on weekdays, or sit at the bar. The vibe is fun, bustling, Service is hit or miss. Most employees are helpful and friendly, but I'd give 3 out of 5 stars for service due to forgetting items ordered, leaving ingredients out, order mistakes, long wait times for food in some instances. Food is 5/5. Creative menu for omnivores and vegans alike. Caesar salad, cauliflower app, shrimp and grits, maitake sandwiches, and pasta have been standouts for me. The portions are decent, prices aren't totally outrageous, and the flavors are fresh. Drinks are another story. I have ordered different mixed cocktails off the menu each visit. The ingredients sound great on paper, but I have never tasted the alcohol in my drink. Some would say it's well balanced, but I would say they go very light on the spirits and heavy on the mixers. So much so that I won't order a mixed drink from here again. $12-20 is too pricey for weak, ice filled cocktails. The cocktail I ordered was the Leilani under mocktails spiked with a rum they recommend called Bumbu. The drink starts at $5 and the spike was $15. The premium "rum" isn't strong and has tons of additives. Maybe change your reco on the printed menu to a real rum and advertise the $15 upcharge 3x the drink price. They do have a good selection of beers and wine. Wine is marked vegan with tasting notes. Entrances are located in front and back of the building. Head to the front entrance to speak with the hostess and get seated. While the kitchen is open until they close at 11, last call is 10:45. I wouldn't cut it that close because they turn the get the f out lights way up about 11:15. read more

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It has been greatly revamped, in particular the menus and the rear enclosed patio area. The brunch menu is different but pricey, the bacon and fries were good to great, the burger less so. Waitress was great. If you order the birthday style breakfast toast it comes with a sparkler. The mimosa tower is only filled about half way. The staff uses handheld ordering and payment devices. read more

Cute place! Love the flowers and flower wall photo op and all the pride stuff!! It's a really nice bar. Though this time I came for dinner with my family, so I can't speak on how the drinks are. There is a vegan menu and a regular menu and together, there's a good amount of variety. I ordered the PH burger and it was a good burger, nothing too special. The onion on it was so delicious and definitely my favorite part, very tender and sweet. All the appetizers were great, I especially loved the cauliflower! Our server was really nice and had a sparkly pride shirt on that I LOVED! This would be a good spot to bring vegan friends too, because it's a really accommodating menu that won't make them feel left out! read more

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Finally made it back to Public House with our friends who live in RO - who brought us here originally! The menu is completely different from when we went before, many years ago. The sliders are mostly gone except for a few options. The menu is pretty typical of a gastropub, with the addition of a completely vegan menu which is cool. There was a bit of a wait on Saturday night, but we went to a bar nearby and had a drink while we waited. We got a text when our table was ready, and I was happy to see we got to sit in the back room with the "Instagram" wall and cozy vibes. We ordered the Brussels sprouts to share, which were very tasty! I loved the chile lime agave vinaigrette and they were cooked perfectly with crispy bits. I'd definitely get these again. For dinner I got the pastrami sandwich, and Nate got the Nashville hot chicken sandwich. They don't come with any sides. The pastrami was definitely not your typical deli sandwich - the meat was a little dry, thinly cut, and not very stacked. However, I loved the deliciously melty Swiss cheese - it actually kind of felt more like a grilled cheese sandwich with some meat, but it was decent. I'd probably order the Nashville hot chicken sandwich next time - I had a couple bites and it was spicy and the chicken was tender and juicy. read more

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Been here a few times, I love that they have a vegan menu! My husband loves the hot honey chicken sandwich and we both love their mocktails. Four instead of 5 because while the vegan food is good, it's not great (ie too much stalk in the mushroom sandwich). We've always been well served regardless of where we chose to sit, but we are early birds and don't come during peak hours so I can't really speak to how one's experience may vary if ya eat at a more regular time. I love the ambiance, the patio is my favorite with its faux trees and stone slab behind the bar. If you can't find a parking spot out front, there is a parking structure behind the restaurant, enter through the patio and head to the front to be seated. Worth visiting but not my absolute favorite spot in Ferndale. read more

My friends suggested to meet for a ladies brunch day at the Public House. I has never ate at Public House, so I was excited to finally try the restaurant out. And I wasn't disappointed with the experience! My friends and I ordered the Mimosas Tower, which for four people, still was too much to handle! I ordered the Sausage Scramble, which was really good! And so much food! I ended up having the leftovers boxed up to go. My friends and I shared the Classic French Toast. Overall, the food was really good, the service was good, and the vibes and ambiance was really good! I definitely would check this restaurant out again! read more

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I went here 7pm Thursday 4/27/23 w/ my party of 20 to celebrate my birthday. I paid for the room rental and it was actually just an small upstairs portion of the restaurant. It was no privacy for real. Terrible lighting and it was very tight. I loved them carne asada fries!!! && the chicken quesadilla was amazing. The service was great from the waitress Taylor but the food did not come out fast. I was disappointed by the terrible parm garlic wings. They were super small, undercooked and not tossed in garlicky sauce. I loved my steak ceasar salad but they burnt the chickpeas. We made the best out if our situation but... read more

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Worst steak and eggs I've ever had. Zero seasoning, tastes like they boiled it. Eggs aren't bad I guess. read more

Public House - Bland steak and eggs - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Ferndale, Michigan

Food was flavorful, vegan options. Waitress was very knowledgeable and helpful in my food and drink selection. Nice cozy spot to visit when looking for something different. The alcoholic drinks are delicious! Try the Leilani mock tale and add Malibu rum to it and ginger beer read more

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We used to love Public House, and had some great meals here. But, wow, have things changed. Quiet on a late Sunday afternoon for an early dinner. Picked out cocktails, waitress came back & said oh, sorry, we don't have that one anymore. Ok. Picked out another one. Repeat. She said they had a 'new menu' which apparently the customers weren't getting a copy of. Picked a third option. Ordered four shareables, got two before the lone person at the bar was able to get drinks fixed. Deviled eggs were still good, but so much arugula on the plate. And even though two of us were sharing things, our server never brought us individual plates for our shared dishes. The roasted carrots we've had many times before. These didn't resemble them at all. The most dried out brown twisted roots I've ever seen. By now the water is gone, no server in sight, still no plates. The Korean sticky ribs were fatty, barely got any meat off the one rib I ate. The chicken fingers with ranch weren't too bad, crispy, but on the dry side, and a tiny tiny carry out container of ranch. After finally going up to the bar himself, my husband got some more ranch dipping sauce for us. The manager came over to take plates & see how things were, & he took the carrots off our bill. They were truly disgusting. Our waitress was totally unfamiliar with the menu or how the carrots should have been (edible? Roasted but delicious?), she claimed they were 'on the new menu'. I can't even fully describe how disappointing this experience was, as we've really enjoyed the place in the past. But we will NOT go back. Why would we, when there are so many good options out there. Ugh. read more

The term "public house" - or "pub" - conjures images of dark wood on the bar, barstools, and tables. The food you've come to expect is hearty, and I don't believe "vegan" is something that comes to mind when planning the menu for the day. Public houses are also inviting, and Public House is certainly that. Welcome to a very different kind of pub. Public House does much more than just sling burgers and brews. As your server will tell you, they have a tapas style menu, where small plates are encouraged. The food will be trotted out as it becomes available, so you don't have to wait for your friend's dish to finish while the rest of them get cold. There isn't much that you would confuse with a Spanish tapas restaurant, but it's a great concept. And, there are plenty of excellent selections. We opened with a toasted pretzel croissant, which looks and tastes like a pretzel, but is fluffy like a croissant. The cheesy mornay sauce and dijonnaise are the perfect dips. The massively thick-cut candied bacon was like eating slabs of piggy steak. I could see having this for a main course, but I got the slider trio as my main attraction. The beef slider has a flavor that would make any burger lover happy. The chicken and apple slider is solid, but the salmon slider is out of this world. The salmon is perfectly cooked, surprising for a small piece like this. And, the minted yogurt sauce is the perfect complement. I'd like to say I love them all equally like my kids, but the salmon is clearly better. The fried brussels sprouts were also very good. And, we added a pickle plate for $4. They make their own bread and butter pickles, which I normally hate, but which are very good here. Our friend got the Nashville chicken, which was massively crispy with just the right amount of heat. Oh, and the fries? Of course, you're going to get fries. But, these are crispy and more flavorful than you have likely had in a long time. They call them perfect fries, and it's hard to argue with that. The drink selections here are excellent, and the service was good throughout. There are so many things on the menu I want to come back and try them all. Keep in mind that the small plate concept of tapas does not translate to small price. Nothing is terribly expensive individually, but it does add up quickly. On the other hand, there is so much to like here that it does feel well worth the price. read more

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I recently went for dinner. I wasn't super impressed. We ordered soup and they all came out cold. Even after sending them back they weren't very warm. The food was just so so. I wasn't super impressed. I remembered the food being better, but this time that was not the case. I would probably wait to head back. read more

Excellent service and genuinely fantastic vegan food. Are the prices high? Yes. But when you factor in the high food quality and the large portions, the prices aren't so unreasonable. Paid street parking can be found nearby. Great service too, and good cocktails. I don't live near Ferndale at all, which really blows because the food here is so good. Do recommend, will visit again. read more

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We were looking for the perfect spot to take my niece before she goes back to school in a few weeks. We had a special night planned for her and wanted everything to be perfect. She is a vegetarian and The Public House has an entire Vegan menu. She ordered the Summer Solstice and raved about the flavors. She was super happy. This place has such a great ambiance with so much to see and so many photo opportunities. We love that Ferndale is very inclusive! Our waitress was fabulous and I was so happy that her night turned out perfect! I would absolutely come back here. I loved everything about it! read more

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The restaurant was very cute and had a great ambience. There is a back room with floral decor and a flower wall for pictures- this room seems to be filled with birthday groups. I ordered the hot honey chicken sandwich and it was delicious. The sauce was sweet and mildly spicy 8.5/10. I asked for the sweetest cocktail and was recommended the blossom cocktail. The drink was sweet and refreshing but definitely does not hide the vodka. The prices are a bit higher and proportions for the appetizers for small but this place is a great choice for dietary restrictions such as gluten free, vegan, etc. Overall would come again read more

Public House - Hot Honey Chicken - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Ferndale, Michigan

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After years of hearing the mixed reviews about Public House, I finally had a chance to try it out for myself. It was a busy Friday night, there was an event upstairs and a large group in the back. My hopes weren't high for great service. However I was pleasantly surprised our server was super friendly and on top of things despite the crowd. I was happy to see a full menu of vegan options, not just a burger or salad. For an appetizer, we had the agave carrots, they were cooked perfectly and not too sweet. Our first choice was the Brussels sprouts but they were out so I would love to come back and try them. For my main, I had the cauliflower steak and it had great flavor. I also loved the sauce and lentil puree it was served with. It was refreshing to see a few mocktail options on the menu. I tried the Leilani and it was delicious. We passed on dessert, I was too full for anything else but there were actual vegan dessert options that looked good. Happy to say I really enjoyed my experience and would definitely come back to try more of the menu. read more

Very overpriced for over cooked chicken tender slider. We will not be back. Drinks were ok. Staff was great.

Delish! The lobster Benny was awesome. Service was great. Was a little chilly sitting near the front of the restaurant, we got a cold draft every time the door was opened. Next time I'll try to see if we can sit in the back. Casual atmosphere only problem is that it's pretty loud in there otherwise it's a nice place. read more

Public House - Lobster Benny - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Ferndale, Michigan

Food was awesome. Love those sliders. Absolutely the best. Service is good and lots of different beer to chose from. We ate on the enclosed back patio where a vintage Shasta trailer held the kegs of the many beers on tap. They had a good selection to choose from. There were also mixed drinks. The food menu was extremely limited, but tasty. We ordered the hush puppies with prosciutto and maple butter for an appetizer. I got a pot of mussels in saffron broth while the others ordered 2 each from the slider menu. They included crawfish, wild boar bbq, a vegan burger, perch, buttermilk chicken, etc. They came with chips. Our service was excellent. They added a permanent heated out door patio which was just as nice at the indoor section and more spacious. It was very busy so you will probably need a reservation on the weekend. Food and drinks were great and everything came out quick as well. Great place for a date night! read more

I went to check out the newest iteration of Public House... once a staple in the restaurant scene, it kind of lost its luster... maybe a sign of the times? I don't know but it's sort of clear that the same energy of the previous PH was gone. I tried the pretzel croissants which were more croissant and less pretzel (wasn't feeling that), chicken apple slider, pit beef slider, and had a really good Caesar salad with fried capers.... I had a Winfield for a drink, and it was a strong, decent drink. I also tried the PH Bananas & Cream... the combo of the burn from the brûlée and the sweetness of the cake was really good... I'd get it again. Compared with the rest of the restaurant scene, you're not going to get better food n drink prices other places than you will here, but like I said before the magic of the previous place where everything you had was awesome is not there right now... hopefully not for good. read more

Public House - PH Bananas & Cream - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Ferndale, Michigan

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Our server Sophia was amazing! The hostess was also very kind, all the servers seem to be the same way. The back room is so cute. Food was great. The vegan burnt ends were surprisingly delicious and had a smoky flavor. Truffle pasta was creamy and truffly. Pastrami sandwich had great flavor, the grilled bread was perfect. Go during happy hour for cheap cocktails! read more

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First time since the reopening. I used to come here all the time before covid. Only change I notice is the light under the shelving & the fridge/freezer between the bar & kitchen. Of course the menu/food is different. Of the chilaquiles, yukon hash & smoked brisket hash, only the gravy on the last was seasoned Vegan options on the menu now. Seemed like less beer than previously. read more

Public House - Helena, like a white russian - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Ferndale, Michigan

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The old public house closed its doors about a year ago and was just opened under new management about a week ago. It has been completely rebranded/ the menu is completely different from before. The menu has 2 sides- vegan and "regular". There are just a handful of options on each side. I was pleasantly surprised to see some mocktail options though. Service was outstanding, probably the best I've had since the pandemic started. They were friendly and attentive. I felt that the prices were a little high for the the food we ordered. These are the things we ordered: 1. French fries- very crispy and medium sized fries..really good! 2. BBQ carrots- the flavor was very smoky but not spicy, also really delicious. 3. Vegan French dip sandwich- decent sandwich but nothing really special.. needs a little something to add flavor, probably wouldn't order again. 4. Vegan burger with dairy cheese- I really enjoyed the flavor of this burger but would like it to be crispier (was a little mushy/texture wasn't quite right). The bun was fluffy and tasty as well. read more

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I brought my mom here for brunch, and the garden patio was very cute. I had high hopes for this place, but I was left a bit disappointed by the end. The food was good, however my pancakes came out long before my moms meal. The whole meal was poorly timed. I'm the type of person that waits for others to get their meal before eating, so after about 5 minutes I ask the waitress to keep my plate warm until my moms food is ready. We wait another 10 or so minutes, and they finally bring my moms plate, but not mine. So now we're waiting again. We ordered hash browns to share and bacon and those both came out when we were almost finished with our meal all together. Our waitress was very absent during our stay and seemed a bit overwhelmed by the brunch crowd, so we tried to be patient. Unfortunately the food wasn't good enough to make up for the overall experience we had. read more

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A couple of weeks ago, my husband and I had dinner at Public House for the first time since the place changed owners. We don't live in the area, but were headed to the zoo for the Wild Lights exhibit and decided to grabbed dinner in Ferndale first. We liked some things about the new PB, but overall had a pretty negative experience. Here are the pros and cons: Pros: 1. Our bartender, Lexie, was great and made a fantastic cocktail. 2. The back room is much improved with a full bar of it's own and beautiful decor. 3. We were able to get a table without waiting on a Sunday night. Cons: 1. We really miss the hushpuppies and carrots from the old PH menu. We tried the new carrots and they were good, but not great. 2. Not a fan of the huge tvs which make the front feel like a sports bar. Bring back the turntable and vinyl vibe! 3. The first table at which we were seated was directly in the line of a constant blast of hot air that literally blew my hair around. The people seated at the next table said that the host kept trying to seat that table and everyone asked to move. (Why they would do this when there were plenty of open tables is beyond me.) 4. The burgers/sandwiches aren't served with fries and an order costs way too much for the number of fries served (see photo) 5. And the straw that broke the camel's back - the Nashville Hot Chicken sandwich was literally RAW inside. Not a little undercooked - completely raw (see the photo) Unfortunately, I discovered this after eating a bite. The kicker was that they took that and the fries off the bill, but had us pay for the hamburger that my husband and I split as our dinner. Seriously it was the only other thing on our bill, as we had ordered and paid for the carrots and our drinks at the inside bar before being sat. I feel they should've comped us the burger as well. I was so worried all night at the zoo that I was going to be sick that it kind of ruined that experience as well. Needless the say, Public House is off of our list for the foreseeable future! The two stars given here are only earned by our positive experience with Lexie at the bar. read more

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Visited Saturday food and drinks were amazing, my husband loved the lions mane sandwich he did wish there were a few more options though . My server was Dez she was very energetic and kept checking in on us which I really appreciated the attention,I ask her to talk to her manager to let them know how our experience was it happen to be the gentleman that greeted us when we first came in, we told him we had just came from a funeral and coming to public put a smile on our face, we'll definitely be going back. read more

It's close for us, so we go a bunch. The drinks are great - and if it's just 2 of us, sitting at the bar works well. We've also had large groups and the service has been spot on! The omelet is my wife's favorite, and I mix it up and try new things. Definitely worth the visit read more

Love public house, good tasting cocktails and love the vegan menu. Kind of overly priced you're def spending a pretty penny when here but the quality is great. read more

Used to be a pretty good food, if slightly expensive. Now it's wildly expensive and not even halfway good. Ferndale deserves better.

Chicken and waffles looked like a sad kiddie meal! What they advertise for chick n waffle is not what we got. I feel like because we ordered carry out they didn't care. 3 burnt frozen tenders is not what we expected for the price. We've had it before this time was a joke. Generally a hand battered chicken filet but today was terrible. Lost our appetite. My pastrami and hash was ok. Meat was tough and potato's were under cooked. So disappointed! read more

Public House - Chicken Waffle garbage - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Ferndale, Michigan

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Extremely disappointed went here for brunch a couple months ago and absolutely loved it. We went there tonight and it was awful. Got seated right away and then had to wait 15 minutes just to get acknowledged we were there. Then another 5 minutes just to get our drink orders take. Then our food came, our burger was burnt, and the fish and chips were in desperate need of salt. And to top it all off our server asked us to tip cash because her tips get taxed. This used to be a great place we would recommend to people but we will never come again. read more

Was SOOOOO excited when I found out they had a whole vegan menu!! Decent food, pretty reasonably priced, great service. I would love to come back again and try different meals because what I had was just okay and they didn't even gift me a free desert for my birthday. But the menu is very extensive for vegans so that's always a draw. read more

Public House - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Ferndale, Michigan

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The back room is so pretty. Service was great. Joe Day made everything enjoyable They were just switching over to do some woodfired barbecue there. Looking forward to going back and trying that. read more