The question isn't whether to eat here, the question is how many times you will eat here (you'll want to a lot). Get the chicken biscuit with the honey butter. Nice views and friendly wait staff. Something really special read more

Lovely gem down by the river! This place has a fantastic vibe and happy atmosphere. We had the mac and cheese and the fried chicken. The mac and cheese was really delicious, but the fried chicken was the real standout. It was perfectly crispy and juicy without being overly fatty. The service was also good and attentive. read more

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I used their "waitlist" option at 5:30 for a party of six and was told we were third in line. We arrived at the restaurant 30 minutes later and were told our wait was 1.5 hours. I asked how that could be possible and was told that the "third in line" indication didn't reflect the size of our party. I reminded them that the waitlist app REQUIRED our party size. They then said that the waitlist doesn't reflect reservations that are made at the restaurant itself. Go figure - what absolute garbage. As much as anything, I couldn't believe that the manager I talked to believed this made sense. Shame on the owners for asking their employees to give such nonsensical explanations, and on the pathetic employees for agreeing to do it. read more

Incredible! Food, atmosphere, and service were top notch. The space is very casual and cozy, and it overlooks the river, so your views are quite tranquil. We split the half chicken and it was the perfect amount of food. It comes with a biscuit and two sides. Biscuit was flaky, warm, and its texture was exactly what you'd expect in a solid southern biscuit. Fried chicken was cooked perfectly. The texture was both crispy and moist when you bite into it. Easy to cut through and split. The pickled sides go best with this. We got it crystal hot, and it wasn't that spicy so next time I'd go up another level. Our waitress Hayley also was the kindest person ever. She checked in on us and was so easy to talk to. It all felt so familial. Protip: They have a waitlist you can join online if you're not sure about the wait! read more

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7.5/10 | June 2025 | This was our second time back to The Southerner and gave it another go. I feel like our first time there was the same experience, but busier because we went during dinner time probably late summer. We got the Southerner Half Chicken (8/10), crab & langostino (lobster) poor boy sandwich(6.5/10), and the sides of (collard) greens(5/10), baked beans(5/10), and slaw(5/10). I wish I got a picture but we were too busy splitting our food after waiting ~30-40 minutes. Probably 5-10 flies flying around our area and one even landed on my food. Spent $75 with tip for two, one soda and zero appetizers. We were seated immediately with the restaurant maybe at half capacity. We went around 3pm with no reservation. Our server arrived within 2-3 minutes, and we had water, no appetizers, and ordered main courses right away. Our server checked on us ~5 minutes before the food arrived, I wish they had checked on us sooner since it had been 30-40 minutes of waiting. Our water was lukewarm which we are not used to and wasn't the biggest fan of. We got a glass soda the time our server asked if we needed anything before our food came out. Our server said she would bring us extra napkins when pur food arrived, but were never brought to our table. I was so hungry and anticipating for food I forgot to take a picture! The chicken looked S P I C Y. I'm talking RED even though that was (level 1 spice) flavored "crystal hot." Our poor boy came on a sub-like bread with lettuce, 2 slices of tomatoes, and mushed up crab and lobster. The 3 sides plus bread/butter came on a separate plate in little bowls. The Southerner Half Chicken (8/10): it was a breaded fried chicken with a liquidy-hot thin red sauce. By texture, it seemed fried and then dipped in the sauce. None of the sides we had complimented the chicken well. Our chicken with the poor boy complimented eachother because of the poor boy's spiceless flavor. It was good, and I would MAYBE come back for the chicken if I was really craving it. The Crab & Langustino Poor Boy (6.5/10): I was craving a lobster roll and this was the closest item I could come to satisfy my cravings. It was a tall crunchy sub with lettuce and tomato. The crab and lobster was shredded, tasted and mushed up like tuna. The poor boy was a high fishy taste that attempted the mix to taste more flavorful. I would not eat this again. The sides (5/10): I was hoping I could leave the plates empty. Collard greens (5/10): was not a fan. Having previous greens from other restaurants, I would not rank these top. They were lukewarm when they came out as well. Baked Beans (5/10): tasted a bit like metal(tin can)? Couldn't take more than two bites before setting them to the side. Slaw(5/10): Unseasoned, I was highly disappointed. I was hoping I could eat it all, but it was two bites and I was done. Overall I gave The Southerner another shot after our first experience, and I have to say the first time around I remember me enjoying it a little more. read more

The Southerner - 2025 June | Menu - Southern Near Me - Saugatuck, Michigan

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Make sure this is on our list when you are in the Saugatuck area. It is not hard to see why it was a James Beard nominee. The fried chicken is truly the best I have EVER had and despite it being a HUGE potion I could not stop eating it. We also ordered the Sausage and Greens which as also delicious. The dining room is simple with views of the waterway. Within 15 minutes of us arriving right around 5pm it became packed with a wait. So plan ahead but don't hesitate to wait for this meal. It is a mainly traditional southern menu with great flavors. Another bonus is the hate free zone and decor. In a world that we live in now we need more places like this promoting love, acceptance and equality. read more

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I had a delightful lunch sitting by the water today. The chicken tenders were the best I've ever had. I loved my chicken biscuit sandwich! Mac and cheese was great too. I wish it came as a side. I really wish they'd offer mashed potatoes as a side. Service was outstanding. I'm still thinking about what a great experience this was. read more

Very yummy!! Came in because of the reviews and people recommended it to us and they were correct. Everything we got was so good and tasted fresh. The restaurant from the customers to the drinks to the staff were lively and fun. Would definitely drive 2 hours to get another bite of the chicken biscuit sandwich!!! Next visit the hush puppies will be eaten :0 read more

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Best spot for food in Saugatuck. It's a half mile before the business of downtown Saugatuck where all the foot traffic is, but it's always packed here. Reservations recommended and takeout ends early pre-dinner. Best to call before going. Nana's fried chicken is the item to order here. Traditional fried half chicken that's crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Crystal hot isn't much heat and Nashville hot is bearable if you like a little heat. Neither are much worse than a hot buffalo wing. Sides are up to your discretion on what you prefer with fried chicken, but the flaky biscuit was the star of the show. Only downside was that mac and cheese was not available as a side or even a premium side which seems a bit counterintuitive for a place called the Southerner. Solid options all around and beautiful views on the outside patio of the water. Must visit if you're ever in Saugatuck! read more

They are known for their Nana's Fried Chicken. And they don't disappoint! It comes with a choice of three levels of heat. The cat fish was perfect and the grits a great side. Service was friendly at timely. A must ! read more

The Southerner - The half chicken dinner - Southern Near Me - Saugatuck, Michigan

We waited about an hour on a Saturday night. But it was soo worth it!! We sat outside by the water and boats and it was so nice. I got the catfish platter with slaw and fries. It also came with a few hush puppies. It was all so delicious!!! I highly highly recommend going here!! So good read more

The Southerner - Southern Near Me - Saugatuck, Michigan

Waitress was awesome. Fried chicken is the best we have ever had!! We have tested fried chicken from coast to coast and this chicken is the cock of the walk! Henny Penny broasts the most tender juicy chicken imaginable. This place is out of sight!! We sat on the deck and watched the yachts float by. read more

The Southerner - Broasted chicken - Southern Near Me - Saugatuck, Michigan

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The Southerner is a casual place with top notch food! The chicken is to die for and biscuits, oh my. Flakey and delicious! The staff is always friendly and helpful. read more

The server was super kind and helpful but it took WAY too long to get our food. Food was delicious read more

The Southerner - Honey butter biscuit sandwiches and fries - Southern Near Me - Saugatuck, Michigan

After a long day of exploring and driving, we were looking for something hearty to eat. Arrived around 5:30 PM and there was a slight wait. We went to the front patio to grab drinks, which were delicious. My drink was 11$ and was a smaller size, but boozy! I almost grabbed another one, but we peeked at the menu and saw the prices. We were sat in an enclosed porch in the back. They had some heat and sun shades for the windows, which I appreciated. It was gorgeous by the boats and the water, but it was a warm evening. While we were waiting for our server, I enjoyed the colorful and happy decor, which just made me more excited for the food. Our server was friendly and talkative. She offered suggestions and was a delight. She was very attentive and her suggestions were appreciated. I got the Catfish Robert which was one of the most expensive things on the menu (30$). It came with a huge piece of catfish, crawfish, and shrimp. For the sides, you pick two, so I got the braised greens and baked beans. It was delicious and I loved it! The portion and quality reflected the price in my opinion. My spouse had to pick the Half Chicken (33$). The biscuit and chicken were perfectly tender and moist. It also came with two other sides. I'd 100% come back here. The food was so flavorful and they didn't just use salt to season, which I was soo thankful for. Definitely take a look at the menu regarding the prices. We got some of the most expensive things, but prices were typically above 15$, especially for seafood and chicken. read more

Excellent fried chicken. No need for the hot sauces, which were good enough but took away from the chicken. Amazing biscuits. Side dishes - greens and grits were good but could use more salt/flavor. Surprisingly good wine list with a substantial sparkling selection. Good service. read more

Service: awesome attentive service Food: The hot chicken and sides were amazing. Hot chicken had the best seasoning and it had the good amount of spices. The sides were amazing, especially the corn bread. And the drinks were on point. Really loved the Bloody Mary with the devils eggs and the cute mini beer. Ambiance: we got a table outside by the dock so it was nice to see the few boats that passed by. Our fellow neighbor at the next table were also fun. Really enjoyed this hidden gem!! read more

The Southerner - Bloody Mary with a sidecar of the cutest beer - Southern Near Me - Saugatuck, Michigan

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A delicious place with deliciously slightly elevated southern classics -- my shrimp and grits had succulent shrimp, a nicely savory mushroom gravy, and I had sides of good bread and butter pickles and a really excellent cole slaw with a "boiled dressing." The fried chicken is truly excellent and you won't be wasting your time by ordering that either, or a biscuit. Or the greens. Or . . . . well you get the idea. Potent cocktails too. It gets crowded and loud, and our friendly server was a little overstretched, so it wasn't the friendliest venue for all of the members of my party, but the food was so good that it's worth it. And they do have an online waiting list so you can do most of your waiting at home rather than in the parking lot. read more

Had dinner here February 7th and even during the off season the place was busy before 7pm. We were lucky to grab a couple of seats at their small bar. Seats six at the bar. My wife had the CHICKEN BISCUIT SANDWICH with honey butter. I had the FRIED CATFISH PLATTER. My wife loved the chicken biscuit which was so big she had to eat it with a knife and fork. My fried catfish was nice and spicy, just the way I like it! read more

The Southerner - Chicken Biscuit Sandwich with honey butter and a side of Baked Beans - Southern Near Me - Saugatuck, Michigan

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We arrived at prime time on a Sunday - 12:30 pm - and were promptly seated overlooking the gorgeous marina on a bright sunshiny summer day . Abby, our delightful server explained the menu and plethora of drink options to these first-timers. Sadly, we were just passing through and still had about four hours left on our road trip, we couldn't sample any of the delicious sounding options which included wine, mead, whiskey (oh SO many types), beer, soft drinks, and cocktails. It all sounded so dang good! By the way, you *have* to love a place (and support it financially) that goes out of its way to be inclusive. Love IS love after all. The ambience of this incredibly busy restaurant is 'boathouse chic , it is a tad bit louder than average, but it was really busy so I'm willing to overlook this because of the gorgeous view, the delicious food, and the fact that the owners appear to be good human beings who are supportive of everyone in the community. I ordered the fried chicken biscuit sandwich (original seasoning). I chose sauerkraut as my side dish and it did not disappoint. The chicken was well seasoned, tender, juicy, and very flavorful. The sauerkraut was as expected, and I am a sauerkraut lover = delicious. I would absolutely recommend this restaurant without hesitation. One star deduction for CRAZY prices, I mean c'mon- $18 for a chicken sandwich! That is INSANE. read more

The Southerner - Southern Near Me - Saugatuck, Michigan

We had such a great experience at The Southerner! Yes, the wait was long--but absolutely worth it. While we waited, we were able to grab drinks and relax on their patio, which made the time pass quickly. Once seated on their outdoor deck, we were treated to a beautiful view of the water--such a perfect setting for a summer meal. We started with the Little Gem Salad and shared an order of their fried chicken, which was hands down the best fried chicken I've had in a long time: crispy, juicy, and full of flavor. We were able to do half dipped and half not which was nice. We paired it with baked beans and slaw--both delicious--and of course, we couldn't pass up their delicious biscuits. They're truly to die for. We ended on a sweet note with a slice of their chocolate chess pie, which was rich and comforting. Another nice touch: our drinks were part of their Pride specials, and a portion of the proceeds went to charity. Love to see businesses giving back! Big shoutout to our server, Briana--she was super friendly, attentive, and made us feel right at home. All in all, a wonderful experience. We'll definitely be back next time we're in Saugatuck! read more

The Southerner - The Patrick Starfish - Southern Near Me - Saugatuck, Michigan

We got Nana's small chicken dinner. It is served family style and delicious. Homemade biscuits are huge and so flaky. It says it serves 4-6. Well we had 2 starving teenagers boys with us and we still took home leftovers. Everything was good. We waited an hour to be seated on a Friday night so make a reservation on the weekends. Service was awesome. It pricey but worth it. read more

Southerner just gives and gives and gives! If you haven't eaten here you haven't eaten. Nashville hot spice was *on* tonight! Tingles the taste buds oh so good while you sink your teeth into the juiciest, tenderest chicken. I usually add sides like slaw and baked beans so the sweet balances the heat. Add a maple old fashioned from the ample drink menu. Never tried dessert but that's mainly because the mains are just--so--filling! I'm already dreaming of my next visit! read more

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Nice view of the river. Mac and cheese was tasty (needed a little salt). Beans were undercooked, spice was nice. Sauerkraut was yummy but I wish it had been warmed. Service was fine, water wasn't ever refilled. The weirdest thing was that the metallic smell of the tables was so strong that interfered with the taste of the food. read more

The Southerner - Southern Near Me - Saugatuck, Michigan

It was fine, nothing too crazy. Decent food, but probably a one and done. Lotsa flies, a little musty feeling, too much sun with no way to stop it. Service was great. Food tasted good. Kinda pricey for what you get. read more

If I could tell my Kentucky ancestors that some of the better fried chicken I've had was in Michigan, they might not believe me. But The Southerner is NOT messing around with their dinner spread. Our party of 6 split the fried chicken dinner and it was more than enough food for everyone to leave full. The biscuits, mac and cheese, and catfish were all highlights - and of course the chicken was excellent. Service was friendly and efficient, especially considering how busy they were. This will be on the top of our list on our next trip to Saugatuck! read more

The Southerner - Fried chicken dinner - Southern Near Me - Saugatuck, Michigan

Such a cute spot - we went here since it was the most rated restaurant in the area. The views and ambiance are unmatched. The food was a bit pricey for what it was. Unfortunately, we've had better soul food in California. Nonetheless we still enjoyed it. read more

The Southerner - Menu - Southern Near Me - Saugatuck, Michigan

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The food alone is worth your while, even for the meatless crew. We can eat more than just French fries at The Southerner! I started with the pimento cheese, and the horseradish is a nice, nice touch. I was mad at myself for not saving some for my biscuit (and that's what next time is for). For my main, I made a last-minute change and chose the mac n cheese. It was a homey dish, like out of someone's mom's kitchen who's known for butter and love. Speaking of butter: the grits have plenty of them! They're treated with the respect they deserve. I can't forget to mention the biscuit. It's just delightful, and it's hard not to order a second one. How do I get my hands on that recipe? Overall, The Southerner is up there for the best eats in Saugatuck. May the community continue to be blessed by this riverfront spot. read more

I heard great things about this unassuming establishment on the Kalamazoo River. Getting nods from James Beard is no easy feat. While there was some things that I loved, there were other aspects that I wish gave me more, especially for a place so lauded. I got the traditional fried half chicken with half original and half Crystal hot and sides of grits and cole slaw, the peel and eat shrimp, and a gin sour slushie. The fried chicken was tasty and moist but after years of eating so much great fried chicken, it didn't really stand out over others. I was expecting a crispier crunchier skin, especially from the hot. Even after a few minutes, the hot sauce drenched coating was already giving way. The grits and come slaw weren't my favorite. The included biscuit was probably the best part about that dish. So flakey, buttery, and yummy! Overall though, the star of the show was the fresh jumbo peel and eat shrimp. So fresh, slightly Cajun, and just perfect. The gin sour slush was great too and perfect for a hot summer day. Service was immaculate and attentive and the wait staff did their best to make us feel like the priority. read more

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Everything here is so amazing that it's hard to decide what to get sometimes. At our last visit, we enlisted the help of our server to try to new to us menu items. I had the catfish platter and my husband enjoyed the catfish Roberts. Both were exceptional! My catfish platter came out piping hot the fish perfectly cooked. I opted to add a side of Nashville hot sauce because I like spicy bite and that worked out fine to dip my fish and french fries in. My husband's catfish Roberts was absolutely divine. The grits were creamy and delicious. The shrimp and catfish were prepared perfectly. It was something that we probably would not have tried if we had not been encouraged to by our server and I'm so so glad that we did! We will definitely be back as soon as possible. They also have Schlitz back on the menu, which for us was an unexpected and very appreciated delight! read more

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My mouth is still watering from this meal! There were 5 of us and we had three boxes leftover to take home. To start, this is such a cute (and very popular) restaurant right by the water. There's a walk up window to order drinks or to go items while waiting. It took about 15 minutes to get a table and we were seated outside by the water which left us with the perfect view! My ONLY complaint was that the table could barely fit our group and our meal but I still would have rather been outside because it was just beautiful. The service here was 5 stars as well! Polite + attentive Nana's Table came with 12 pieces of fried chicken (flavorful, tender, 10/10), 2 fried catfish (10/10 the best catfish I've ever had), 6 biscuits (light, crispy on the outside, perfect! 10/10). It also came with 2 family size sides. We opted for the sweet corn salad and baked beans. Next time I may opt for the pickles and braised greens instead. I wish I had room for dessert because the chocolate chess pie sounded incredible! Thanks for a memorable meal! We can't wait to come back next year! read more

The Southerner - Biscuits & honey butter - Southern Near Me - Saugatuck, Michigan

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Our first visit, and it definitely won't be our last! Service was great, and the food was amazing. A must visit restaurant in Saugatuck!

Probably my favorite dinner spot in Saugatuck. The southern food slaps - the spicy chicken tenders are a must. Cozy vibes, great outdoor views, and comfort food that hits every time (and I'm not even a huge comfort food fan). Yum yum. read more

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I mistakenly made a reservation for the wrong day and only realized it when I showed up a day early. Since I couldn't make the reservation the next day, I asked to cancel it and was told I would still be charged $10 for being within the 24-hour cancellation window--despite missing the cutoff by just four minutes. While I understand having policies in place, the complete lack of flexibility for such a minor and honest mistake was frustrating and disappointing. Unfortunately, this experience means I will not be returning. read more

Great experience for our first trip to the Southerner. The food was amazing and I will definitely come again if we're ever in the area. read more

The Southerner - Half chicken dinner - Southern Near Me - Saugatuck, Michigan

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Such a great little place with a nice view in the water. The chicken is done perfectly and I loved the sides as well. Highly recommend!

This place is excellent and has been for years. They are family friendly and the server was great with our group which included 4 adults and 3 kids. When we visit Saugatuck we make a point of visiting the Southerner for their biscuit chicken sandwiches. Great atmosphere and food, a solid drink menu with good local beers. To folks that need a "heads-up" about being LGBTQ friendly...this is Saugatuck, that's all the heads up you should need. Thank you to The Southerner for celebrating pride and being a welcoming environment. read more

We sat at the bar and had an AMAZING dinner. The bartenders were hustling and were able to handle the crowd easily and were still talkative with us. My Caesar salad was amazing and I'd go back in a heartbeat. read more

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Service was very good, our server and others checked on us frequently to make sure we had what we needed . I had grits and a chicken sandwich , the grits needed a bit more flavor and perhaps I could have added something to them, loved the chicken sandwich and added cheese. My Husband had the braised beef po boy, so so good lots of flavor! Great views of the water here, which is a huge factor for me, great spot. read more

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I ate the southerner two weeks ago and I'm still thinking about it. The biscuit and the homemade pepper jelly are living rent free in my head. I 1000% recommend. The foods amazing, the inside is cute and quaint in the winter and the service was great. The ONLY thing I would change would be how the ritz crackers are served with the pepper jelly (I know it's nitpicky). They're served in individual wrappers and I would prefer them be from a sleeve because I don't like the extra waste. Or if they made their own homemade version of a ritz cracker. read more

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