I was looking through the menu on toast and noticed wings that were twice cooked - I knew I had to try them. I wasn't disappointed, I just wish it came with more of the delicious ranch style sauce on the side . I also got an order of the citrus shrimp -- talk about a vacation in your mouth! I would order both of these apps all over again. We ordered for pickup so I didn't see the inside at all (my husband picked up) but the packaging was done ever so carefully. They ran out of boxes so they used foil containers and plastic wrap -- and get this, they left a hand-written note explaining why it was wrapped that way and thanking us for our order. We ate everything so quickly that I didn't get any pics but I will for sure recommend this place. read more

RUN, do not walk to The Commons. Let this fantastical spot transport you to a place of peace and wood paneling. I ordered the breakfast sandwich special with the house made chicken sausage. Can I get a HELL YEAH?! The flavors of the chicken seasoning with the cheese and the egg made colors appear like ratatouille. The wings WERE THE BEST WINGS IVE HAD IN GR ‼‼ period. If you like wings you are going to love the light crispy seasoning, Asian sauce and ranch. What's more? They have some secret mad genius making homemade bagels in the back. Order these puppies 20 minutes ahead because they are made to order! I haven't even eaten the bagels I ordered yet, cuz I'm still stuffed from lunch. But I HAD to order them to go...and just the look at them satisfies the eyes. read more

The Commons - Wings - Lounges Near Me - Grand Rapids, Michigan

See all

We were excited to try The Commons and submerge ourselves in the blast from the past atmosphere. It truly is impressive how well they stuck with their theme and how you feel like you're dining in a time machine. The location is very strange but they definitely made the best of it. We tried to come for dinner at 6pm on a Friday and the wait was estimated to be almost 2 hours. We opted for somewhere else and came back for Sunday brunch, which had no wait around 2pm. The brunch menu was impressive and everyone made their decisions quickly. We had one person order the steak and eggs but swapped the potatoes for bacon. While they are the same price for a side, there was a $2 up charge for the substitution, which seemed odd. Everyone cleaned their plates completely and loved their brunch. There was a large group in the lounge area that made the entire restaurant very loud. Even the waitress apologized for how loud it was. The service was quick and friendly as well. We look forward to coming back for dinner and trying the rest of the menu! read more

See all

Food was delicious and service was good and the ambiance is super cool! You need to check it out!

Walking into this place felt like we traveled back in time! The decor, the furniture, the dishes, and even the music all felt like they were from an older time. We were discussing this and heard people near us say it reminded them of their grandparents house, which was cute. We tried the street corn mac & cheese which was SO tasty with cavatappi noodles, elote corn, jalapeño, cilantro, queso fresco, and buttered bread crumbs. Definitely impressed! Our server was wonderful and extremely kind. Overall great experience! read more

See all

After two visits to The Commons, I'm ready to add this place to my regular restaurant roster. Located on the ground floor of an apartment building close to downtown, parking was easy to find-either in the circle driveway in front of the building or on the street. Once I entered, I thought I had stepped back about 50 years or so . I cannot accurately describe the decor except to say it's sort of retro but not retro. Maybe my grandmother's living room/kitcen is a better description. Call it what you want, the food is great. The following items were ordered during my two visits. a. Burger. Excellent with very nice flavor. As the burgers are thinner and served with two patties, you don't see what I call a true media rare but there was still some pink and a very nice taste. Fries are excellent as well. b. Roasted beet salad. My wife is a sucker for anything with beets and this did not disappoint. Nice greens and the tarragon vinigerette was very good. c. Fried Chicken Parm-Red pepper tomato sauce and fresh mozzarella added to the enjoyment of this sandwich. d. Prime Rib sliders. I saw these when I had my burger and said I'd try them when I return. a great combination of prime rib, haystack onions and horseradish cream (didn't get the cheese) with au jus to dip. Service was excellent both times. Happily awaiting any next visit! read more

"I just stepped into my grandmas basement" as my friend says about this place. Yes, the amazing 70s style decor is just the best! The little details of this place... salt & pepper shakers, mis-matched glassware and fun seating areas! I've been here several times now and the service is always fantastic. The host, servers are always polite, prompt and we've had really enjoyable experiences here! Plus, the food. The tots are big enough for a group of 4 and are crunchy and have plenty of toppings and dipping sauce on the side! They have a great ever changing brunch menu! As an FYi- This is in the Oakwood Apartment building and they have on site parking. I can't wait to go back as this has quickly become one of my favorite restaurants in GR. read more

See all

I was pretty surprised at this spot! Did not expect it to be connected to the hi-rise, and it was quite a bit larger inside than I expected. They really nailed the retro theme too. Parking could easily be an issue, depending on when you're there and how busy it is. Fortunately I was there for happy hour and for a spot in the semi circle out front. Not sure where the best street parking would otherwise be. Service wasn't super fast, but we were able to get a couple drinks and an app during happy hour pricing. Two of us split the street corn mac & cheese. It was good, and definitely enough for two of us to share. I'm not sure I love it as a mac & cheese though. Would probably prefer it as a dip with some chips, but I can appreciate that they took a different spin on it. They had a good selection of beers, and the cocktails sound really good. I'm just not much of a cocktail drinker. Overall I was happy with it and would definitely go back. read more

See all

I made a list of new restaurants to try recently and The Commons was in the top 3. I was excited to dine in the 70s decor and eat like Redd and Kitty - love that show! We arrived pretty late on a weekday and decided to park on the street since it wasn't metered. We didn't bother to look for their designated parking lot (if they have one) since it seemed like the street was a short walk in. And from the moment we stepped in, it felt like we had time hopped or crashed a sitcom set! There was tinsel, a working rotary phone (yes, I heard the dial tone) lots of orange stuff, velvet, and wood paneling. Even the high chair was vintage :) See picture. We ordered the Mac and cheese, cheeseburger, baked potato soup and brussel spouts salad. Everything was delicious! I didn't try the burger, but my husband said it tasted like Philly cheesesteak cheese on it. I'd love to come back sometime and hang out at the bar! read more

See all

Had the pleasure of driving Elizabeth (owner if I remember correctly) to The Commons as I'm an Uber Driver, she managed to get me talking about cheesesteaks as I was towards the end of my shift and hadn't eaten. Upon arrival she said "wait here, I'm coming back with your cheesesteak". Now not only was I floored by the gesture of kindness, but was also floored by the massive steak sandwich. Balanced flavors, even a little spice, cheese going everywhere, it was fantastic. I believe I recall her saying they use prime rib (or ribeye?) for the cheesesteak and it HIT. Crisp classic fries, and a faygo root beer? An absolute treat. I've yet to make it inside The Commons but from how the experience has been so far, I'm likely to become a regular patron. An update on interior and atmosphere coming ASAP! read more

The Commons - Cheesesteak - Lounges Near Me - Grand Rapids, Michigan

I loved this place the second I walked through the door. We attend a Buddhist temple in Grand Rapids weekly but other than that we really don't know the city well. Friends took us there today. The neighborhood is great. Very "old"GR. The ambiance inside was welcoming and so was our server. All four of us got different dishes. My sandwich was outstanding and the others were very happy as well. I can't remember the names of anything but next time I go - and there will be a next time, I'll take notes. read more

The Commons - My husband and me with our Buddha buddies "sandwiched" in between. - Lounges Near Me - Grand Rapids, Michigan

See all

Sunday afternoon at The Commons? ⁣ ⁣ Yes, please! ‍⁣ ⁣ We're not sure if there's a better description of The Commons other than assuming that you accidentally stepped into your grandmothers basement....and your grandmother runs a restaurant out of said basement. ⁣ ⁣ Think vintage 70's and retro flair and pair it with the best kinds of American-style comfort food and fun cocktails. That's The Commons. ‍⁣ ⁣ And because we know it can be confusing, let's talk about parking. They are located in the same building as Oakwood Manor Apartments on Cherry Street. There is street parking along Cherry as well as 2 hour parking in the half circle in front of the building. ⁣ ⁣ The Commons is one of our favorite spots in the the Heritage Hill neighborhood. Stop in and hang out a little! ⁣ read more

The Commons - Lounges Near Me - Grand Rapids, Michigan

service was a tad slow, but prices were great. Great spot for a date, dimly lit, not too loud, little place for a group to play video games. $2 happy hour beers! Will come again read more

Ate here at the recommendation of a friend. The food was delicious, I ordered Chicken and waffles, and was more than satisfied. In addition, the service was terrific and the ambiance was great... very vintage atmosphere. Will definitely return and have been recommending the Commons to all of my friends. read more

That 70s shows: Food was great, drink was great... the only negative was I was afraid Red Foreman was going to yell down into the basement and ruin my fun. Regardless steak frites and Mac n cheese... with bacon added.. was amazing! Fun atmosphere. read more

The Commons - Mac n cheese! - Lounges Near Me - Grand Rapids, Michigan

Don't want to review it and spoil its hidden-gem status but The Commons deserves a good write up: Great food, terrific decor/style, and excellent drinks. We've thoroughly enjoyed each visit. Visit here, but don't tell anyone else! read more

My daughter and I spent the day walking around Grand Rapids, doing a little foodie tour. We started with appetizers at The Commons. We really enjoyed the chill 70s living room vibes. Ambiance is 5/5. We chose the loaded tots and Brussels sprouts. The loaded tots..... so so so good. The Brussels sprouts were good too, I felt the pickled onion slices were disproportionate to the dish, which made it difficult to enjoy a complete bite. The dish was also slightly on the oily side, but absolutely would order again, so nothing too bad. The service was a little lacking, we never received plates, so we shared from the appetizer serving plate. It was fine to share with my daughter, but wouldn't want to do this with everyone. Overall a good experience and we will be back. read more

See all

We heard rumors that The Commons was something fresh to the GR dining scene and after a visit on date night it totally proved itself. We arrived around 6p on a Saturday night for drinks and apps before a show later. They don't take reservations and because it's new (and because it was a Saturday) the wait time was long (over an hour). However, I'm not afraid to scope out spots at the bar so we put our name in for the wait just in case and did a bit of hovering. About 10 mins later we had two primo seats at the bar and drinks ordered. I ordered a wine (lots of options) and my husband ordered a beer (which he always says are over priced in GR now that micro brews became a thing). And then we ordered apps: 1. The Fries that came with garlic salt, cheese and some other herb... SO good. They came with dipping sauce as well. 2. the Brussels which now seem to be a staple on everyones menu but man these were tasty! Sweet and salty. Both of these apps were more than enough for us to share and we didn't finish... and that's even without eating dinner. The atmosphere is so neat. Totally new and fresh. They really made a niche for themselves including the location which is in a part of town that doesn't have much! Parking is along the U shaped drive as well as along the roads surrounding the building... but no lot. We definitely plan to return with friends and this is a place we'd show off to our friends from out of town. Enjoy! read more

See all

Oh man, my first stop at the commons was anything but common. This place has it all. The food was phenomenal. The drinks were great. And Beth. Ooooooh Beth. She was just awesome. Came over and gave us some love, chatted with us, and we had a great time. I had a hopslam for my beer. Delicious as always. Fiancé had their house champagne. Also good. For food we started with the prime rib dirty tots, and they were epic. So good, they almost filled us up alone. Then we got the spinach artichoke dip. Also amazing. Not sure why they served us these little strips of peppers you couldn't even get any dip on, but they made up for it with extra pita bread. Overall this place rocked it. We loved it, and will certainly be back. read more

Another 4-star breakfast while traveling through GR. Staff has been friendly and attentive every visit. Food is unique and yummy. Great neighborhood for an after meal walk before getting back on the road. read more

See all

The Commons is a 70s themed restaurant/lounge with a menu that is anything but a throwback. I had never even heard of this place when a friend took me here, and I was so excited to have tried it. The atmosphere is very "your grandpa's basement", the epitome of cozy, comfortable, and inviting. We only visited for apps and drinks, but everything we tried was phenomenal. I tried the grasshopper signature cocktail, which was very mint julip-esque. As an annual visitor and true fan of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, I am picky about bourbon based cocktails but this one worked. All of the signature cocktails my table ordered were delightful. Pours were very heavy too! For food, we tried the prime rib dirty tots and the street corn mac and cheese. The dirty tots came in a huge portion that we easily shared with three people, and they were amazing! The prime rib was cooked perfectly and the flavors of the toppings worked well together. The street corn mac was a much smaller dish, but still very delicious and satisfying. Overall, I really can't wait to return and explore more of the interesting menu. If the appetizers are that great, I am so ready for the main course. read more

See all

We came in on a Tuesday night. The commons is located on the ground level of the hill mount condos. We loved walking in through the canopied entrance which set a cool vibe from the very beginning. The moment we entered we could feel the energy. The place was absolutely packed . We waited around the bar for a drink, the bar was unfortunately extremely understaffed. It took 20 minutes to get acknowledged by the bartender, and another ten to get our wine and pay. Then despite being told it was a half hour wait we waited 90 minutes for a table for 4. The host was very polite and did keep us updated. For starters we ordered the Brussels sprouts and the prime rib tots. The prime tots were fun, but had no flavor. The Brussels were great and we would definitely order them again. For entrees 2 of us ordered burgers, 1 did the veggie burger, and our other guest did the cauliflower fried rice. The burgers were pretty good but were missing an element of crunch- the onions on top were great. The veggie burger was actually better than the regular beef burgers when it comes to texture and overall flavor. The cauliflower rice was extremely bland. It was like eating plain cauliflower. The overall decor in the restaurant is pretty cool- very 1970's. We would definitely come Back for drinks but would likely wait until they are open longer. read more

See all

We arrived on a Sunday at about 330. Sadly we missed the brunch menu and at the time they were only serving a limited menu which consisted mainly of appetizers and a cheeseburger. We sat at the bar and decided to split an order of the wings with the dipping sauce on the side. I love a retro themed anything and it is decorated very tastefully while embracing the spirit of the 1970s. Service was fast and friendly. We both ordered cocktails I was a little surprised when my husbands old fashion was served with its twist of orange peel laid on top rather than mixed in or flamed but it was all good. Our food came out timely and the wings were well cooked and juicy. I thought $13 for only seven wings was a bit much and I wish they offered more sauces as dipping options. I would love to see the 70s theme represented in the menu I know there is a vast array of 1970s appetizers that could be a fun addition to the menu. Overall we enjoyed our visit and will return when there is a broader menu available to us. read more

The Commons - Old Fashioned and a classic Manhattan. Love the cut glass glasses - Lounges Near Me - Grand Rapids, Michigan

See all

I am in love with The Commons! I came here for a Saturday brunch with some of my friends. We originally planned on going somewhere else but had a last minute change of plans based on the reco of one of the girls we were lunching with and I'm SO glad we ended up there! The 70s theme was absolutely killing it. It seriously felt like I was dining at my grandma's table when I was little. The tables, chairs, walls and even down to the plates & cups it was all on point. The menu was also very appetizing with lots of gluten-free and vegan options. I, however, wasn't feeling too well and only ordered a side of toast and one egg, which was cooked perfectly as I ordered it. Everyone else's meals looked amazing and they all said they tasted amazing too. The only thing that was a little frustrating was that they were out of a few items on the menu and those few items happened to be what one of my friends tried to order. Although, the server and even the manager came out to let her know, we extremely apologetic, replaced it with something else and didn't charge for the replacement. That's not something that usually happens and was nice that they made the extra effort to make it right. Pros: * Retro 70s decor, seriously something you HAVE to come to see to really experience and appreciate its greatness * Unique, healthy conscious menu items * Also, a unique and delicious cocktail menu that I thought was reasonably priced. * With this place being more of a "lounge"ish kind of feel, I think it more fun to visit for a date night or girls night out, not really for kids. It just has more of an adult feel Cons: * They were out of a few menu items and might have been good to let us know ahead of time, but I do realize we were the first people there for the day so they probably didn't even know either. But note, they did make it right read more

See all

One of the best ! We love everything about this place! Great food, great service, awesome atmosphere!

Excellent atmosphere. Good food. Water glasses were all different and chic and I loved it. Great use of the space and will be back for more brunch soon! read more

See all

Super cool retro vibe here. Clearly a lot of thought went into making this place what it is. They have vintage living rooms set up to hang out in but they are usually full. This place is easily one of the most unique restaurants in GR. The double cheeseburger is top notch and the wings are outstanding. Word on the street is the artichoke dip is also a must have. read more

The Commons - Harvey Headbanger - Lounges Near Me - Grand Rapids, Michigan

What an amazing place. The menu was limited but the food is gourmet--the soup was spectacular. Definitely a haven for foodies. The restaurant has a full bar and hip vibe. The entrance is adorned in a minimalist style--a no-logo, black yawning with theatre roping. Inside, the space is a mixture of working class bar and mid-century modern. It has a definite cozy feel making it a place for twenty somethings or parents with young kids. It embodies the Grand Rapids feel. If your looking for a hidden gem, visit "The Commons". read more

The Commons - Restaurant - Lounges Near Me - Grand Rapids, Michigan

We heard about this intriguing restaurant on Under the Radar months ago. We decided to visit on Friday night. We were going to eat inside to check out the cool decor but it was too nice out and sat on the patio. Our walk through the joint was just what we expected. I'm sure we will come back to eat inside next time. Our time on the patio was top shelf. We got to listen to the wonderful sound of falling water from the nearby fountain. It was a very relaxing and enjoyable sitting. Our waitress was Vern, and she has to be one of the top waitresses we've had in a while and we typically have good service wherever we go. Vern knew the menu inside and out and helped us make great choices for our food and drinks. I'm not a fan of artichoke dip but we ordered it as it's the wife's favorite. As always I tried it and this one was delicious according to me. It was served with pita and sliced peppers and I ate it up, a first for me. We split a Bloody Mary and It was very good too. My wife ordered chicken finger basket and I ordered a chicken finger sandwich. WOW!!! Clearly hand batters and freshly fried here. Her's was great. Mine was a little hot but I knew it had a slight kick when I ordered it. I loved it but it had a bit of a kick for me tonight! I loved their house made pickles!!!! They were everything advertised. The french fries were perfect!!!!!! Right amount of salt, perfectly fried and served fresh and hot! Vern checked on us regularly and was extra personable! We had a couple questions about GR and she had the answers or got them answered from a coworker. Our drinks never ran low and or food was just how we ordered it. We will be back for the food, 70's retro decor, and VERN! I, we, highly recommend it! read more

The appetizers we had were really good, cocktails were amazing, the service was friendly, and the 70s themed environment was super fun. The pricing was also reasonable. read more

The Commons provides a blast from the past with 70's decor throughout. Their burgers are simple, but the absolute best (it's impossible for me to try anything else on the menu because they are that good). Make sure to get there early because you will wait a long time for a table. It is the type of environment where you can take off your coat and stay a while. read more

The Commons - Double Cheeseburger with Fries - Lounges Near Me - Grand Rapids, Michigan

Love this place. Hip, retro vibe, great drinks, wonderful home cooked meal. They had meatloaf of all things on the menu and had to have it. I was not disappointed. I heard the burger is also great which I will try the next time. The only drawback was finding the place (SW corner). read more

Atmosphere, service, drinks and food... A+++++ Get the wings - they are a game changer. I have dined here twice now, and everything that has come out for my party and I - no complaints. Everything was perfect, and had a great time. read more

My husband stopped in for a drink on a Tuesday afternoon and fell in love with this place! The drinks were wonderful and the nostalgic decor took us back to our childhoods. We had a blast playing Scrabble and Rock Em, Sock Em Robots. Next time we are in town, we are definitely coming back and trying the food as well. What a unique and fun place to hang out! read more

See all

I thought this was a nice hole in the wall spot. Chicken tenders were GROSS. The goulash was microwaved. I enjoyed the espresso martini! Spent $80 and I probably will not return though. read more

I love this place! It's typically always an option for us when my partner and i are looking to go out for a drink (or even food). The atmosphere is lovely and it's never been too crowded. Definitely try it out if you're on the fence, you won't regret it! read more

My husband and I stopped in tonight with a friend from out of town. We had been there a few times and thought it was cool and had interesting yummy drinks. In the past the bar was not busy - actually there was barely anyone there when we went. This time - my husband went in first and my friend and I parked the car. There was no one at the door and the place had a lot of people in it - very nice. My husband didn't realize that he had to wait to be seated (because that was nothing we had experienced there before) so he walked in and found a spot. Someone had just left so my husband waited for the table to be cleaned. That's when my friend and I met up with him. The employee bussing the table, Kevin asked if we had been seated there. We were like "oh didn't realize we needed to be seated and there was no one waiting." So we headed back to the front door, where there were now a few people waiting. Kevin the employee that was bussing the table, greeted the people behind us and took them to the table we were just at (there were multiple tables open by the way), then he took the couple behind them and seated them, then he looked at us and said it would be a 20-30 minute wait. (there were multiple tables open by the way). I'm don't know what was up with Kevin. Maybe he was just having a bad day or sick of people I don't know, but I was embarrassed especially considering I had brought a friend from out of town and told her about this cool place (that I will not be going to again) and to be treated like that. Kevin - a better approach would be to say "thanks for coming in - if you would head back to the hostess stand someone will seat you shortly". And then seat us next because we were next. Kevin - even better would be if you walked us back up to the hostess stand - and told the host that theses nice people didn't realize that we were seating people tonight - and then check that your signage is visible because, had we seen it, we would have waited. Now if I was your manager (and I was many times over a restaurant manager), I would write you up for poor customer service and either give you further training or change your role in the establishment. Good luck Kevin because with your customer service skills or whatever made you act like that - neither is gonna bring anything good. read more

The Commons is a lovely hidden gem. The atmosphere is cozy and nostalgic, the drinks are delicious, and the spinach and artichoke dip is one of the best I've tried. I would give 5 stars, but I am holding out due to the fact that two years in a row I've been served borderline cold mac and cheese. A year ago I went and had the street corn mac. The flavors were fantastic but I couldn't forget that the food came out cold. A year later I decided to get back on the horse and hope that they figured it out, but alas, it came out cold again. Our server didn't come back soon enough for me to be able to ask to have it reheated. I find cold food to be extremely unpleasant, so I give 4 stars. Aside from this recurring mishap, I love everything about The Commons. read more

Wanting a unique first date? Want to bring your friends somewhere different than usual? THIS IS IT. The 70s vibe is absolutely spot on, and it is a go-to for amazing comfort food. Best spinach and artichoke dip out there, and the tots are to die for... burger and yummy dessert, too! Owner was lovely and even came to chat with us for a bit. Can't say enough about this place. read more

See all

Driving down Cherry Street, one is not bound to notice this little hole-in-the-wall...and we were looking very hard for it! Thanks to fellow Yelper, Katy C., we looked for the black awning and found it! When you walk in, you feel a bit like you're going into some secret place that would require a password for entry! Upon entry, you are transported to the 70's and feel like you shouldn't mess up your grandmother's entertainment area. It was really awesome seeing all these cool details around the place! Whoever's in charge of making you feel like you're in a time warp did a fabulous job! The bar area was nice and dark, as any bar should be. Ample seating is available, although I'm not sure they serve food in the 'lounge' areas...I'm sure they must. Our server was sweet and helpful as was the person who ran our food to the table. Oh the food! It was filling and reminiscent of something you might order in the 70's: where carbs was King and cholesterol was something your Uncle Charlie might be watching but isn't too worried about. My husband and I split their burger plate (they literally split it FOR us! How nice is that?!), their dirty tots and wings. The dry rub on the wings was perfect and the dipping sauce was just the right amount of sweet to savory for me. They come with a dill ranch, but we asked them for their blue cheese as that is our preference. (Do that, because their blue cheese dressing was super yum) Burger was delicious and hefty, fries were crispy and perfectly seasoned. Tots were immense, and could've used more beef, but that's because we enjoy our meat. Definitely enough for several people to share. They brought out this queso to dip it in, which is overkill, but go ahead and treat yo-self! Overall, we enjoyed our experience and will probably belly up to the bar again at some point. They had some really cool sounding drinks, but we were headed out for the long drive home to Kazoo, so next time for sure. Thanks for having this unique and terrific place to come to! We will be back. read more

See all