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    The Southerner

    4.3 (735 reviews)
    ModerateSouthern, Sandwiches
    Closed 5:00 pm - 9:00 PM

    The Southerner Photos

    Business Info

    THE SOUTHERNER ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Classy
    Moderate noise
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - The Southerner

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    Reviews With Photos - The Southerner

    Fried chicken with two sides - corn and pickles
    Katie L.

    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!

    2025 June | Menu
    Mya A.

    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.

    Love the "no hate" and no discrimination message of this restaurant.
    Rian L.

    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.

    maple old fashioned
    Lydia W.

    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

    The half chicken dinner
    Dennis G.

    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 !

    Courtney P.

    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

    Broasted chicken
    Matt M.

    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.

    Honey butter biscuit sandwiches and fries
    Chelsea R.

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

    Bloody Mary with a sidecar of the cutest beer
    Ha N.

    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!!

    Chicken Biscuit Sandwich with honey butter and a side of Baked Beans
    Mark T.

    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!

    Donna J.

    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.

    The Patrick Starfish
    Rey B.

    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!

    Fat Tuesday, Southerner style!

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    2 months ago

    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!

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    2 months ago

    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!

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    Ask the Community - The Southerner

    Is it dog friendly?

    Without a variance, dogs are prohibited by the state of Michigan from being on restaurant patios, with the exception of service animals, which are allowed everywhere. To my knowledge, the Southerner hasn't requested/received a dog variance.

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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    There are coffee shops that serve great coffee... and then there are coffee shops that make you…read moreinstantly feel something. The second I walked into Uncommon Coffee Roasters, I was hit with the smell of fresh bread. It immediately took me back to my grandma's kitchen. She used to bake a loaf of bread just for me--with no nuts, because she knew that's how I liked it. Walking into her house, I always knew exactly what she was making. It's funny how a smell can transport you somewhere in an instant. Then I looked over at the bakery case. Mistake. Everything looked fresh, homemade, and absolutely beautiful. We had plans to spend the rest of the day walking around Saugatuck, so I talked myself out of buying a loaf... and regretted that decision before we were even back out the door. Despite the line stretching from the counter almost to the entrance, the staff handled it like absolute pros. Everyone behind the counter seemed completely in sync, moving quickly without making the experience feel rushed. Watching them work was almost entertaining in itself. The shop has a colorful, artsy personality that fits Saugatuck perfectly. It feels modern without losing that cozy small-town charm. Between the artwork, the cheerful cups (seriously... how cute are they?), and people scattered throughout reading, chatting, working on laptops, or simply enjoying their coffee, it felt like the kind of place you naturally want to linger. As for the coffee... We ordered three different drinks and somehow all landed on winners. My Don't Be Salty cold brew (cold brew with caramel and salted caramel cold foam) was phenomenal. Another in our group ordered the Caramel Silk latte, and judging by the smile after the first sip, I'd call that a success too. I honestly couldn't tell you what our third friend ordered... only that all three of us agreed we'd happily order our drinks again. Some coffee shops are just a quick caffeine stop. Uncommon Coffee Roasters feels like part of the Saugatuck experience. We'll absolutely be back... and next time, I'm buying the bread,

    Amazing coffee and friendly staff. They bake their own stuff. Good coffee and all the other good…read morestuff too

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    Red Dock Cafe

    Red Dock Cafe

    3.1
    (83 reviews)
    1.0 mi
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    Heard about this place on Under the Radar. The atmosphere is very unique. It is right out at the…read moreend of a landmass on Lake Michigan with all of the seating on a dock. The parking lot is total unkept and the walk out to to the restaurant a little confusing. The building itself is eclectic hodgepodge of signs with a mix of slightly run down building. They like to blast their version of music, but if you sit out towards the end of the dock it's fine. All of this somehow adds charm to this place. I ordered the Barbecue Pulled Pork Sandwich with a side of noodles. I was with my Aunt who was the one who heard about this place. She ordered an Otis Sandwich. The sandwiches are baked so it takes a little while to receive. The 1st thing I have to say is the sandwiches are HUGE. My pulled pork had a ton of meat in it. Felt like 2 ibs. The sandwich was Spectacular, every last bite was super juicy. The sandwich was light on the bbq, you mostly tasted the pork and thats okay because it is amazing pork. The bread it's served on is also amazingly good. The noodles I got were served cold and were good, but also ehh. I took home about 2/3 of it and nuked it later and it was much better. My Aunt also loved her Otis Sandwich. The sandwiches are about $12 with no side, however the sheer size of the sandwiches make it well worth it. The service was mostly good. It was very attentive, just seemed lackadaisical. I think that's were some people get the rude from. Overall this was an easy 5 Stars. That was one of the best sandwiches I've had in years. Would I return? You bet I will.

    The Red Dock has always been a fun summer spot, but unfortunately the food has really slipped since…read morelast year. We've been twice this summer, and both times the food felt sloppy and mediocre at best. It honestly looked like high school kids were running the kitchen, with staff hanging out on their phones while the doors were open. The drinks are okay, but they seem pretty weak for the price $14 for a rum punch...On our second visit, our daytime bartender seemed more focused on doing shots and Red Bull bombs with customers than making drinks properly. Somehow, we still ended up with a $150 lunch bill for three people -- just sandwiches, flatbreads, and some rum punch. The location and vibe are still great, but for the price, the food and service need to be a lot better.

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    The Southerner - southern - Updated July 2026

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