Such a good spot for a healthy, foodie lunch. We were driving south on the highway and found this place via Yelp. It was great. Healthy and simple kids menu also. We did their soup of the day, humus and a couple salads. The blueberry blue cheese salad was excellent.
(5)
Sam S.
Went on a Sat, lunch time. 4 stars only because we waited about 15 minutes to order as they were having trouble with the beer tap system. Hubby ordered beer and instead of taking our order then dealing with the tap system, the waiter dealt with the beer issue first. Besides us, there were only 2 other customers in the entire restaurant so they weren't very busy at all. Food was great at least. Had the scallops, Thai curry, Creole jambalaya & goat French toast-all highly recommended.
(4)
Tabitha M.
Okay, I just think this place is so poorly named. When my friend said, "Want to go to the Blue Cow?", I responded, "You want to go out for ice cream?" "Blue Cow" does not equal french food in my book. That said, it was cute. Service was fine. I loved my blueberry salad, and my companion enjoyed her french onion soup. She also got the smoked pork chop, which was huge (splitable!) but saltier than she enjoyed. Still, if I find myself in Big Rapids again, I'd go back.
(3)
Tony R.
It was great service and wonderful presentation and amazing food and if I were you drive to the blue cow cafe right now to get some of the amazing food.
(5)
Josh F.
This is a great restaurant. It is clear that the Blue Cow was born out of passion for good food sourced as locally as possible. The burger I got was made in house from trimmings of the steaks and was unbelievably juicy and delicious, even though it seemed to be cooked a bit more than medium. My wife ordered the Udon Noodles which were hearty, flavorful, and immensely satisfying. We are in the process of moving to Big Rapids and are sure to become regulars!
(5)
Melissa J.
I have eaten here a couple of different times and each time has been great food. For the most part. Pros: 1. Champagne Chicken with parmesan risotto is so good. The best chicken dish I've ever eaten, hands down. 2. Cheesecake is so good. I've never had such fantastic cheesecake. 3: Atmosphere of the restaurant is great. I love being in there - it's inviting, comfortable, and is just great to be at. Cons: 1: Croque Monsieur was hard as a rock on the edges, yet soggy in the middle. 2: Servers either seem to be indifferent to the customers (ignoring our drinks, leaving us to wait for 45 minutes for lunch). 3: Servers really aren't that knowledgeable about the menu and drinks. There was a lot of "I can ask". 4: Tables are wobbly, both outside and inside. I'll definitely be back. It's just that for a single mom and her 11 year old daughter, we won't be eating here as often as we'd like, given the prices.
(4)
David S.
I'll start by saying that this place was highly recommended to me as a "farm to table" type of establishment. It was easy to find as we passed through Big Rapids, and not too busy for a Tuesday night. The mixed drinks were very reasonably priced as well. That's where the good pretty much ends. Service is key in a place like this - I expect the server to know about the menu and suggest pairings to us. Insofar as the menu changes often (per the website), this is key to a good dining experience. Our server was terrible and essentially ruined our meal. A few examples: 1) I asked if the mussels were fresh or frozen (a logical Q given that the menu prides itself on local and I don't know of any local mussels) - she had to go ask and returned with this pearl - "they are local and fresh." I ventured to order them anyway despite the clarity. They were either frozen or overcooked and had lots of broken shells (kitchen, please never serve these) 2) my friend ordered the chef's choice wine. She delivered it without knowing what it was. "I'll go find out." (this happened a lot, can you tell yet?) 3) my mussels were delivered without the bread the menu promised. It took about 15 minutes to heat and was only about 5 small slices. I was done anyway by the time it arrived. 4) someone asked what the well gin was (...let me ask) and she didn't even know the other options. 5) she was clearly unable to multitask. We counted 4 visits to the table NEXT to us where she never even looked at us to see our empty drinks. I had to go to the bar to order my own drink. Like I said, I'd heard good things and was excited to try the Blue Cow, but the horrible, unqualified and vapid server ruined our experience. It's sad - the menu looked great, the place looked great, and I'm sure there were some gems on the menu that a good server would have steered us to...but not this one :-(
(1)
Lindsay C.
If I could give 3.5 stars I probably would, but I'll round up to 4. This place has a great atmosphere- there's a fireplace near the bar and overall a relaxed sort of vibe, which we enjoyed. The appetizer that we had - goat cheese with a fruit compote- was totally delicious. Sweet fruit with honey, slightly salty chèvre on a super crisp crostini; good stuff. My wife had the salmon which was cooked and seasoned well. I had a burger with French onion soup, all of which was pretty mediocre. My burger was over cooked and I didn't care for the odd grind of the meat. My French onion soup contained very little soup; it was all bread and cheese. Bread and cheese are delicious, but I like a good balance of components in a French onion soup. All in all, however, it was a nice dining experience and I would go back and try something else on the menu.
(4)
Catalin B.
The blue cow has a great menu with some really creative offerings on the weekends when they have their specials. The weekly menu is very good and easily has the best steaks in the area. The drinks are unique and the bartenders are always willing to experiment and make something off the beaten path. The restaurant also brews its own beer and infused vodka with hot peppers for wonderful bloody marys.
(4)
J M.
In town for one night for a funeral and wanted to avoid the abundance of chain restaurants- great find! Great menu, wine list and ambience. Food was very fresh and original. Only drawback is the name; too nice a place for the name and we almost passed it by thinking it was a hick bar- it's not!
(4)
Ginny K.
We've only ever had an issue once at this restaurant and we are frequent customers. Even with that said, I'll give it 5 stars because I just love their food and I'm glad that they're in our town. Our daughter lives in Manistee where their sister restaurant is, the Blue Fish, and it is equally wonderful.
(5)
Jason D.
I think this is going to be my most critical yelp review I've ever written - as a restaurant that charges average $25 a plate I was utterly confused. First off I was very underwhelmed: the table We were sat at was wobbling, the art on the walls was for sale (extremely tacky), a table next to us had to ask for more coffee (not even at Bob Evans would you need to do that), the plating drastically needs to be improved -- for the restaurant had absolutely No customers for a Saturday "rush" and the bartender was "backed up" by the lack of customers in the restaurant, she even left the bar once -- ever heard of a bar back? We didn't go to chili's so please do not put the Margarita in a cheap tacky dollar store margie glass. Display of wine was cool, but really? This is not a liquor store -- hire a sommelier asap or fire your current one. As someone who lives in California the wine choices were horrible with what is offered to you as a restaurant. The server was nice but it took about 15-20 minutes for a flatbread and hummus and a salad - that came with minimal dressing and I had to ask for ground pepper -- even at olive garden they would know to give you that ASAP. While dining We heard glass break twice and watched the chef come out and chit chat with a customer -- maybe that's why my food took so long? Wait No the people behind us that ordered after us got their food first. Overall, I think the owner/manager can get an idea of how to run an upscale restaurant from Ruth Chris or Mortons or Flemmings. If they want to know how to actually run a restaurant I'd suggest maybe going into applebees -- The Maitre d threw the menus at us/on the table: come on for $25 a plate hand me my damn menu don't throw them on the table. PS: J Lohr as a restaurant wine? Come on, be original. That wine from "Vista Point, California" Vista Point is barely even a real location for vineyards - please do some research if you want to charge that much for some food
Nice ambience, decent service, ok food. Went for brunch. Service was a little slow. It was very cold inside. The thing that puzzled me was that they have an enormous fireplace in the middle of the room, and it was off. The eggs Benedict trio was a bit bland and blah. Poached eggs were hard poached and everyone's meal was cold to luke warm. Bloody Mary was solid, but was without the pickled Michigan asparagus that the menu read. Instead I got the typical celery stick and queen green olive. Well, I'm on the road so my expectations weren't high at least. Menu reads well though.
(2)
Heather S.
Amazing food. So delicious. Would eat here all the time if I lived nearby. Will be back again when we head north.
(5)
Stephanie N.
My family and I were driving back to Chicago after a first time vacation to Sleeping Bear Dunes, MI. Did not want highway fast food, so checked Yelp for what was nearby. What a gem! I wished I lived closer to patronize their establishment on a regular basis. We stopped on a Sunday afternoon, before the dinner rush and had the place to ourselves. The service was great, the decor was lovely and the food was exceptional. My husband had the chicken curry soup with broccoli, ribeye steak and au gratin potatoes. I had a gluten-free version of chicken marsala with polenta and grilled veggies and my son had a grass-fed burger with egg and bacon on top. Most everything is locally grown or raised. We sampled one another's meals because everything was out of the norm delicious. Well worth the 2-3 mile jaunt off the highway!
(5)
Jessie W.
Went for my first time here, didnt know Big Rapids had such a nice restaurant. Airy, clean and well kept, and the bathrooms are incredibly nice. Their bar is fully stocked, half the menu is drinks. I ordered their Caesar Salad with grilled shrimp and we all got cheesecake for desert. BEST CHEESECAKE IVE EVER HAD. The salad was large, dressing is homemade daily and was delicious. The shrimp were large, spicy and grilled. It was a pricey meal but the food was phenomenal. Our waitress could have been better however, she never asked if we wanted drink other than water and when we asked for the dessert on one specific person's bill, it was not done. The food and ambiance was fantastic though
(5)
Melissa B.
Elegant ambience, nice complementary flavors, and friendly service. Beautiful children's burger, generous petite cheese plate with fantastic cheese and house made crackers, excellent soups, crisp salads with lovely vinergarette and a full bar of cocktails, wines, and brews. The decor was enviable too from the charming fireplace to the immaculate tastefully decorated lavatories!! We enjoyed a peaceful rest stop with great food and wifi.
(5)
Chris K.
We had lunch. The tomato basil soup is the best we have ever had. My husband had chicken and risotto that made him want to lick the plate. My grilled cheese was superb. We will go back.
(4)
Charity C.
Amazing food! We loved the cheese plate, I had the vineyard chicken salad and my dining companion had the blueberry bleu cheese salad, both were delicious! Our server, Lauren, was phenomenal! We will go out of our way to stop at this delightful restaurant on future visits to northern michigan.
(5)
Amanda B.
Excellent brunch. Had the California Egg White omelet and cleaned my plate. Worth the stop!
(5)
cedro t.
I'm blown away! Balanced, flavorful, simple, delicious, perfect. From the bruschetta to the filet with pepper creme sauce, everything was just right. In Big Rapids? It's like my favorite restaurant of all time, Epi's in Meridian Idaho, unbelievable perfection from where you'd never expect.
(5)
Nancy T.
I loved the food & the staff. The atmosphere was fantastic. Highly recommended it and would go again.
(5)
Mitchell E.
The steak salad was great, they were out of hamburgers so I got the jambalaya, which was ok. Great bread though. Would go with the salads here, farm to table so very fresh.
(4)
Lorraine H.
Service: A+. Kevin was polite, friendly, quick, welcoming, and gave us recommendations when asked. He went to the kitchen to ask questions of the chef at our bidding, and did not once roll his eyes or act impatient. There was a definite desire to please. Food: A. Chicken Marsala with polenta and baby brussel sprouts. The sprouts were just a wee bit greasy - maybe it was butter, I don't know. But everything was delicious, and the coffee was fresh and hot. Real cream! Cheesecake for dessert - massive slices, very delicious. Atmosphere: B+. Pretty dim after the sun set. The bathroom is sophisticated in design but lighting was ridiculously dim in the stalls. Great interior design, nice use of space. In an historic building but they didn't rape it.
(4)
Jw P.
Great dinner. Michelle our server was great. The lobster crepes were amazing and my mouth is still watering for the rib eye. The House Micro-brews were ok, but they supplemented with a great selection of Michigan Brews. All in all, I left there a happy, and full, man.
(4)
Alix M.
My partner and I are both gluten free diners, and we've eaten at Blue Cow on more than one occasion. Beyond truly lovely gluten free food, they have an excellent wine selection, and an inviting atmosphere. We've enjoyed everything we've ordered, and the extra touch that goes into creating a gluten free meal that just tastes like a meal is definitely apparent. I am so happy to have found this little place that is not only the only real gluten free option in Big Rapids, but is also a wonderful place to spend an hour or so enjoying food and company.
(5)
Jay A.
Great food and great service! They have a good variety of menu selections and a friendly staff. The perfect place to go for something tasty and different than chain food. A little pricey, but you get what you pay for. :)
(4)
Tyler C.
Terrific place! We drove a little ways off of the highway for the food, and it was worth the time. The ingredients are fresh and the food selections were creative. At the beginning of our visit we received a warm and inviting welcome, from a hostess we believe was the owner. If not, she is definitely a manager who loves her place of employment. Our server Erica was attentive and knowledgeable about the menu. The crepes could have had more asparagus for out tastes, but the hollandaise on the benedict was tangy and the sausage was delightful. Check out the men's bathroom! It has mood lighting, a sink with trendy faucets and river rocks, and aspen branches as trees out of the half-wall. That's not something I would have expected to see in a little college town like Big Rapids.
(4)
H P.
Pretty good food. ok, actually quite tasty. The only problem is the portions were very small, especially for the relatively high price charged. Atmosphere was just fine, as was the service, and the place is neat and clean, if that stuff matters to you. I mostly care about food quality (5 stars), quantity (1 star), versus price (2 stars). Still, I was stuck in Big Rapids on business and it was better than eating at some chain place.
This was one of the best meals I've ever had. The prices are insanely affordable especially considering how delicious everything is. I ordered the Champagne Chicken and Honey Goat Crostini. Both amazing. Do not go here without ordering the Honey Goat Crostini. You need to try it. It could possibly be life changing. If I could buy it in bulk and drive it back to Chicago, I would. I should probably figure out a way to make that happen. The Champagne Chicken was also amazing. Not quite as life changing but definitely amazing. The crostini is like nothing I've ever tasted before. I could really go for some right now..
(5)
Thad H.
Likely the best restaurant in the area. They are moving toward the local sustainable food movement, and the food is well prepared. Stick to the specials and main entrees, some of the extra items aren't as developed. The home made beer is pretty good, and they have a great wine list. Not ready for Michigan Ave in Chicago, but it smokes the other local options by several miles.
(4)
MK M.
Stellar food. Lovely waitress. Interesting, comfortable setting with nice details. I will make a point to return. Try the Salmon Crustini, and the Champagne Chicken. And the chocolate mousse.
(5)
Emma D.
DELICIOUS food. Especially the Thai rice, tomato basil soup and chicken salad croissant. Lovely atmosphere and service. Would recommend to everyone.
(5)
Niki W.
Liked it so well ate here more than once during move in weekend at Ferris! Great Oasis for parents from campus to share a farewell or birthday dinner with kids! Service was great (thanks Zack) and atmosphere wonderful. Oh yeah, great food too! I will return every tie I am in Big Rapids!
(5)
gd v.
So very surprised when we stubbled upon the Blue Cow Cafe and Big Rapids! Wow...who would have thought - we were headed home from the holiday weekend & needed to gas up & get some food into us when we decided to pull off the highway and found this gem! Great food - I had the grilled salmon w/risotto & veggies. Very very nice! Flavorful & fresh. My friend had the Chicago Black/Blue beef tenderloin - wow was this delicious! We didn't have any wine or beer since we had a long drive back home but there seemed to be no lacking of wine, champagne , mixed drinks or brews to pick from. The decor was very cute & modern French. Casual nice dress attire but we did see some people a little more casual. Service was pleasant - they were packed but but very accommodating. If we are ever in the area again...we are going back!
(5)
John T.
I would rate this place higher but their food quality is inconsistent. They have great steaks but occasionally I get one that's tough, even though it doesn't appear to be overcooked. Once got an edamame appetizer (their version of Hawaiian spicy soybean) and the beans in the center were still frozen. They only sell Michigan brewed beers which is fine but unless you're familiar with them you don't have any idea what you're getting. There's no brewery that I know of in the building, so their beer can't be "brewed on site" there. The atmosphere is nice, quiet and decorated nicely, and the wait staff is always friendly and knowledgeable.
(3)
Bob F.
Who would have expected that such a gem could be found in such a little town? If I've had some better food this consistently, I can't remember where. When you walk in, the decor is very classy and low-lit which makes for a very comfortable atmosphere. To start off, you have an excellent choice of wines or Michigan beers. Also, the bartender homebrews his own beers and serves them on draught. Everything from his brewery is excellent. Next, you really can't go wrong with anything on the menu. Everything is perfectly prepared and presented in style. The Kessler Chop is more like a bacon steak. I was expecting a dainty little pork chop, instead I received a pound of perfectly cooked pork. Also, the black and blue steak is excellent, as is any steak really. They cook perfectly to order and the beef quality is top notch and melts in your mouth. To end, you have your choice of desserts, and dessert coffees and liqueurs. The creme brulee is some of the best I've had so I haven't bothered trying anything else. If you are within even an hour of this place, that far away would still probably be worth driving just to experience this place.
(5)
Roland S.
A nice slice of fine dining in rural Big Rapids, MI. This French-inspired restaurant has lots of fresh, locally grown/raised/made menu items in a very upscale atmosphere. It's a large restaurant with simple, elegant decor and a charming fireplace in the center of the dining room. There's a bar and dessert counter off to one side and room in the back that would be perfect for private parties. There's even a small outdoor seating area. We've been here twice, once when it just opened a couple years ago and again yesterday. It's quite noisy when full as was the case a couple years ago, and I don't see that they've done anything to change that. Last night, the place was moderately busy, and the volume was fine. Our server was cheerful, knowledgeable, and prompt. Service with a smile is a cliche, but it does make a difference when the person seems happy to be there and proud of what they are bringing you. The food on both visits was excellent. I don't recall the specifics of our first visit, except that everyone left happy and pleased that this kind of place had opened up in Big Rapids. Last night, I had the blueberry and blue cheese salad with a blueberry vinaigrette to start and it was fresh and full of blueberry flavor. The blue cheese was mild and a nice match with the blueberry and baby spinach flavors. My entree was the Kessler Chop, a thick, smoky-flavored, grilled pork chop with a fruit chutney, potato gratin, and a few spears of fresh asparagus, which I'm sure they threw in because it's in season. The asparagus was nicely cooked, and overall my meal was delicious. My only complaint was that for the size of the chop, I could have used more chutney. My wife had the cream of asparagus soup for a starter and it was a dark green with amazing asparagus flavor and just creamy enough to be a soup rather than an asparagus puree. Really great! Her entree was the lamb chops, which the Blue Cow gets locally, and they were tasty with a nice mustard rub. Her mother got the same and they both really enjoyed them. Full of flavor and large portions. I snuck a bite of her mushroom risotto, too, and it was well-prepared with a good but not overpowering flavor. My father-in-law had the swordfish dinner, which was one of the specials, and it was also (reportedly) very good. What I can say about it is that the portion was very generous and it appeared to be skillfully prepared. Our desserts were all very good as well, including my locally made (Fennville) chocolate, white chocolate raspberry, and raspberry gelatos and my wife's airy chocolate mousse. She almost ordered second one it was so good and light. The Blue Cow also has an extensive wine list as well as a little shop for retail wine sales. Their recent venture into beer brewing is still on wobbly blue calf legs, though. I tried the Tap Sampler, a very generous 5 oz. pour of their four brews (Strong Ale, IPA, Citrus-something, and Cream Ale), and they weren't too good. The Cream Ale was the most drinkable, with an almost hard cider apple-y-ness. The Strong Ale was overhopped and the IPA had no flavor other than hops. The Citrus whatever was more like a shandy than a beer. My friends' first few batches of homebrew were better; hopefully the Blue Cow brewery (which smartly and luckily nabbed the "Big Rapids Brewing Company" name) improves with experience. I almost knocked the rating down to four stars over this, but at the end of the day, this is still the finest dining in Big Rapids and we were overall very happy with the visit. We'll just order the wine next time. Overall, this is a fantastic place to dine with fresh, local ingredients, charming service, nice outdoor seating along one of the downtown's main streets, and pleasant servers. If you're in Big Rapids for one meal, I think this is your place.
(5)
Nancy D.
We really enjoyed our meal! We started with the cheese plate for two - excellent. We both added a house salad to our meal and the field greens were exceptional! I had the champagne chicken with parmesan risotto - delicious, and my husband had the tenderloin wrapped in bacon with au gratin potatoes - yum! We shared a bottle of Chalone - great wine! Our daughter had the cheese pizza and a lot of bread from the basket :) And to top it off, we had an excellent server - Travis. Great job all around!
(5)
Randy H.
Tried the Cow again Waited to long at the bar for a drink, No bread with our mussels. Love the atmosphere severe and lack.of Manger sucks. Wants to be upscale but is not.
(1)
Lynn I.
Excellent meal, good service and nice atmosphere. Visited on Sept 12th for my don's 18th Birthday Dinner. Black and Blue Tenderloin was very well done and pumpkin cheesecake was yummy. Will definitely visit again.
(5)
Taylor N.
The champagne chicken with Parmesan risotto is to die for!!! I get it every time I go. I love the bread and garlic butter. White wine sangria and the mojitos are great!! Also if you save room for dessert which isn't likely because the portions are great, try the cheesecake it's so good! Not a normal boring cheesecake either, it tastes like there is ricotta cheese in it!! Service is always great and environment is very peaceful and fancy.
(5)
Justen C.
recently a friend forgot to pay his bill here and they put him on blast on Facebook and decided everyone needed to know he was in jail recentlyIly and judged him based on heresay on facebook and never contacted him personaly before doing this. Very unprofesional buisness edicate and will not be frequenting the blue cow again and will be sure to notify as many people as i can about this atrocity. Very dissapointed in there buisness model.
(1)
Food Critic S.
Great Food especially the mussels!! Great wine selection!! Best restaurant in Big Rapids by far !!
(4)
A V.
This is far-and-away the best restaurant in Big Rapids, and possibly the second best restaurant in the region behind Red's in Rockford. I've eaten here 5 or 6 times. The food is always outstanding. Service can be hit or miss at times, but hey, you're in Big Rapids...
(4)
Eric C.
Is this really in Big Rapids?? Wow, just ate at Blue Cow for the first time and it was amazing. Great service and as other reviewers said, the goat cheese crostini is life changing. I have lived and travelled all over the US and I have to put this restaurant into the upper echelon of any where I have eaten. Can't wait to get back.
(5)
Mike N.
Neither my wife or I have ever had anything bad here. The rib-eye is to die for! Very friendly staff, and worth every penny. Totally not expected in Big Rapids but, do yourself a favor and try it. You won't be disappointed.
(5)
Scott T.
Great place to eat and excellent food. Salmon sandwich was wonderful.
(5)
T K.
The Blue Cow is a wonderful restaurant. I spent lunch with my class there and the food was delicious. Plus, the casual elegance of the space made me feel happily comfortable and the servers were friendly and attentive. Even the prices are good! Definitely recommended.
(5)
Dave K.
As everyone says in the other posts, who'd have thought that such a small town would have such a fabulous place to eat. Food is always consistent. Atmosphere is great. Don't let this place pass you by! Try the hot pretzel appetizer. Excellent!
(5)
Jennifer G.
What a wonderful place to spend my birthday dinner last week! We were in town for golfing and found this little gem. You wouldn't think in this small town that you would find some a higher scale restaurant with good food, but we did! I started with their Blueberry Blue Cheese Spinach Salad - which came with fresh blueberries and a blueberry vinaigrette. You would think that all the blueberries would be a little overwhelming, but they were not. My husband had the Classic Caesar to start and it was also good. For our entrees we had the Smoked Chicken Pasta with chicken, fire grilled red peppers, red onion in a garlic cream sauce. It was delicious - probably extremely high in calories and fat due to the cream sauce, but very good! My husband had the Mediterranean Pasta Special - which was also quite good (or so he said b/c I didn't try it!). Unfortunately, we didn't have room for dessert, but I did have two of their pineapple upside down cake martinis. They were delicious and were so smooth. This is a perfect place to have dinner - special occasion or not. Great food and great service!
(4)
Emily G.
Who knew that the tiny little town of Big Rapids would have such a gem of a restaurant like the Blue Cow Cafe. I drove 3.5hours from Ann Arbor for an interview and my recruiters took me here for dinner. Talk about getting wined and dined! I looked up this place online and found a pathetic-looking website, making me think I was being taken to a small town diner for dinner. Boy was I wrong. -THE DECOR- The place is regular/large in size for a fancy restaurant. Everything is light-colored wood and earthy colors with mustad and brown table cloths and low candle-lighting. Some of the rooms were almost closed to look like someone's home dining room (with a long rectangular table seating 8, a nice chandelier on top, a painting and a china cupboard). There were wine bottles everywhere and different rooms, allowing for decently quiet talking volume. I fell in love as soon as I came in and i KNEW this place would be fancy. -THE FOOD- For appetizers, we ordered the bruschetta and the cheese platter. I ordered a Michigan Kessle Chop (grilled pork loin with sweet potato hash, apple chutney and cooked cabbage) and for dessert we shared a flaming bannana and a tiramisu. We also got warm fresh bred with a garlic and herb infused butter that was absolutely delicious. The cheese platter had a nice medium-creamy goat cheese, parmesan, a hard brie and (what I think was) a nice sheep cheese. The main course was like eating heaven. The pork was perfectly cooked, great texture and perfect grilled marks, and the hash browns and apple chutney were a perfect combination to each the pork with. It was even better when I put a little bit of the leftover goat cheese on the pork... PERFECT COMBINATION! Even though I was full after the appetizers, I could NOT not finish this meal, it was too good to leave behind. Our banana dessert was cooked and served table-sized, where we saw giant flames when they added the rum in the pan cooked over the gas stove-top. The bannana dessert was served with a vanilla gelato that went perfect with the rum and sugary sauce on the cooked bannanas. Finally, the tiramisu was very creamy and nice and had a hint (not too much) of coffee flavor. -THE SERVICE- Although our waitress was very nice, she was barely around. This is the one thing that really annoyed me. The restaurant did not seem very full, but maybe they were considerably understaffed because they took a WHILE to serve each one of our dishes. Besides the service though, this is a place I would absolutely come back for, if I would ever go to Big Rapids Again. Be warned though, each main course ranges from $20-$25 so be prepared to spend quite a bit or hope that a recruiter can pick up your tab. :)
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Intimate Noise Level : Quiet Good For Dancing : No Alcohol : Full Bar Happy Hour : Yes Smoking : No Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
G K.
Best food in Big Rapids.
(4)Ben S.
Such a good spot for a healthy, foodie lunch. We were driving south on the highway and found this place via Yelp. It was great. Healthy and simple kids menu also. We did their soup of the day, humus and a couple salads. The blueberry blue cheese salad was excellent.
(5)Sam S.
Went on a Sat, lunch time. 4 stars only because we waited about 15 minutes to order as they were having trouble with the beer tap system. Hubby ordered beer and instead of taking our order then dealing with the tap system, the waiter dealt with the beer issue first. Besides us, there were only 2 other customers in the entire restaurant so they weren't very busy at all. Food was great at least. Had the scallops, Thai curry, Creole jambalaya & goat French toast-all highly recommended.
(4)Tabitha M.
Okay, I just think this place is so poorly named. When my friend said, "Want to go to the Blue Cow?", I responded, "You want to go out for ice cream?" "Blue Cow" does not equal french food in my book. That said, it was cute. Service was fine. I loved my blueberry salad, and my companion enjoyed her french onion soup. She also got the smoked pork chop, which was huge (splitable!) but saltier than she enjoyed. Still, if I find myself in Big Rapids again, I'd go back.
(3)Tony R.
It was great service and wonderful presentation and amazing food and if I were you drive to the blue cow cafe right now to get some of the amazing food.
(5)Josh F.
This is a great restaurant. It is clear that the Blue Cow was born out of passion for good food sourced as locally as possible. The burger I got was made in house from trimmings of the steaks and was unbelievably juicy and delicious, even though it seemed to be cooked a bit more than medium. My wife ordered the Udon Noodles which were hearty, flavorful, and immensely satisfying. We are in the process of moving to Big Rapids and are sure to become regulars!
(5)Melissa J.
I have eaten here a couple of different times and each time has been great food. For the most part. Pros: 1. Champagne Chicken with parmesan risotto is so good. The best chicken dish I've ever eaten, hands down. 2. Cheesecake is so good. I've never had such fantastic cheesecake. 3: Atmosphere of the restaurant is great. I love being in there - it's inviting, comfortable, and is just great to be at. Cons: 1: Croque Monsieur was hard as a rock on the edges, yet soggy in the middle. 2: Servers either seem to be indifferent to the customers (ignoring our drinks, leaving us to wait for 45 minutes for lunch). 3: Servers really aren't that knowledgeable about the menu and drinks. There was a lot of "I can ask". 4: Tables are wobbly, both outside and inside. I'll definitely be back. It's just that for a single mom and her 11 year old daughter, we won't be eating here as often as we'd like, given the prices.
(4)David S.
I'll start by saying that this place was highly recommended to me as a "farm to table" type of establishment. It was easy to find as we passed through Big Rapids, and not too busy for a Tuesday night. The mixed drinks were very reasonably priced as well. That's where the good pretty much ends. Service is key in a place like this - I expect the server to know about the menu and suggest pairings to us. Insofar as the menu changes often (per the website), this is key to a good dining experience. Our server was terrible and essentially ruined our meal. A few examples: 1) I asked if the mussels were fresh or frozen (a logical Q given that the menu prides itself on local and I don't know of any local mussels) - she had to go ask and returned with this pearl - "they are local and fresh." I ventured to order them anyway despite the clarity. They were either frozen or overcooked and had lots of broken shells (kitchen, please never serve these) 2) my friend ordered the chef's choice wine. She delivered it without knowing what it was. "I'll go find out." (this happened a lot, can you tell yet?) 3) my mussels were delivered without the bread the menu promised. It took about 15 minutes to heat and was only about 5 small slices. I was done anyway by the time it arrived. 4) someone asked what the well gin was (...let me ask) and she didn't even know the other options. 5) she was clearly unable to multitask. We counted 4 visits to the table NEXT to us where she never even looked at us to see our empty drinks. I had to go to the bar to order my own drink. Like I said, I'd heard good things and was excited to try the Blue Cow, but the horrible, unqualified and vapid server ruined our experience. It's sad - the menu looked great, the place looked great, and I'm sure there were some gems on the menu that a good server would have steered us to...but not this one :-(
(1)Lindsay C.
If I could give 3.5 stars I probably would, but I'll round up to 4. This place has a great atmosphere- there's a fireplace near the bar and overall a relaxed sort of vibe, which we enjoyed. The appetizer that we had - goat cheese with a fruit compote- was totally delicious. Sweet fruit with honey, slightly salty chèvre on a super crisp crostini; good stuff. My wife had the salmon which was cooked and seasoned well. I had a burger with French onion soup, all of which was pretty mediocre. My burger was over cooked and I didn't care for the odd grind of the meat. My French onion soup contained very little soup; it was all bread and cheese. Bread and cheese are delicious, but I like a good balance of components in a French onion soup. All in all, however, it was a nice dining experience and I would go back and try something else on the menu.
(4)Catalin B.
The blue cow has a great menu with some really creative offerings on the weekends when they have their specials. The weekly menu is very good and easily has the best steaks in the area. The drinks are unique and the bartenders are always willing to experiment and make something off the beaten path. The restaurant also brews its own beer and infused vodka with hot peppers for wonderful bloody marys.
(4)J M.
In town for one night for a funeral and wanted to avoid the abundance of chain restaurants- great find! Great menu, wine list and ambience. Food was very fresh and original. Only drawback is the name; too nice a place for the name and we almost passed it by thinking it was a hick bar- it's not!
(4)Ginny K.
We've only ever had an issue once at this restaurant and we are frequent customers. Even with that said, I'll give it 5 stars because I just love their food and I'm glad that they're in our town. Our daughter lives in Manistee where their sister restaurant is, the Blue Fish, and it is equally wonderful.
(5)Jason D.
I think this is going to be my most critical yelp review I've ever written - as a restaurant that charges average $25 a plate I was utterly confused. First off I was very underwhelmed: the table We were sat at was wobbling, the art on the walls was for sale (extremely tacky), a table next to us had to ask for more coffee (not even at Bob Evans would you need to do that), the plating drastically needs to be improved -- for the restaurant had absolutely No customers for a Saturday "rush" and the bartender was "backed up" by the lack of customers in the restaurant, she even left the bar once -- ever heard of a bar back? We didn't go to chili's so please do not put the Margarita in a cheap tacky dollar store margie glass. Display of wine was cool, but really? This is not a liquor store -- hire a sommelier asap or fire your current one. As someone who lives in California the wine choices were horrible with what is offered to you as a restaurant. The server was nice but it took about 15-20 minutes for a flatbread and hummus and a salad - that came with minimal dressing and I had to ask for ground pepper -- even at olive garden they would know to give you that ASAP. While dining We heard glass break twice and watched the chef come out and chit chat with a customer -- maybe that's why my food took so long? Wait No the people behind us that ordered after us got their food first. Overall, I think the owner/manager can get an idea of how to run an upscale restaurant from Ruth Chris or Mortons or Flemmings. If they want to know how to actually run a restaurant I'd suggest maybe going into applebees -- The Maitre d threw the menus at us/on the table: come on for $25 a plate hand me my damn menu don't throw them on the table. PS: J Lohr as a restaurant wine? Come on, be original. That wine from "Vista Point, California" Vista Point is barely even a real location for vineyards - please do some research if you want to charge that much for some food
(1)Cecily P.
I hate to give the Blue Cow just three stars, but I've been there on several occasions and it's just so incredibly hit and miss. Unfortunately, over several visits I haven't had a positive enough experience to rate the Blue Cow as high as I might like, considering it's a cute local spot and certainly one of the classier establishments in Big Rapids. Sometimes, the experience is wonderful. Great service, fantastic food, wonderful atmosphere. I've had more than a few lovely dates here with my husband - I personally love the mussels and went there often just for those (along with the amazing bread they serve). I also really enjoy their table-side bananas foster display. Quite a nice show! However, at times the service is rushed, inattentive, or altogether absent. On one particular occasion, the order of both myself and a companion were mixed up so we were served the wrong kind of meat (chicken rather than shrimp). At first the waitress tried to convince us to take the chicken, and then told us that we would receive less shrimp than was indicated on the menu. The shrimp was cooked and arrived separately, but was prepared in a spicy jambalaya sort of flavour rather than the subtle yellow curry of the rest of the dish. The quality of the main courses also varies greatly, and the bartenders do not seem to be very knowledgeable when it comes to mixology. On a positive note, the atmosphere of the place is really nice, whether you're in the well-lit front or the moodier back. They also have a great beer selection as well as a small shop for wine, small baked goods, and bartending tools. In my opinion, Blue Cow Café is a great spot for a (simple) drink and some appetizers - particularly when it's warm and the outdoor bistro seating is available - but it might be wiser to make a meal out of the appetizers (I suggest the mussels, giant pretzel, and escargots) rather than splurging on a main dish. If you play it that way, there's no reason you can't have a five star experience like I know they're capable of giving!
(3)Drew W.
Nice ambience, decent service, ok food. Went for brunch. Service was a little slow. It was very cold inside. The thing that puzzled me was that they have an enormous fireplace in the middle of the room, and it was off. The eggs Benedict trio was a bit bland and blah. Poached eggs were hard poached and everyone's meal was cold to luke warm. Bloody Mary was solid, but was without the pickled Michigan asparagus that the menu read. Instead I got the typical celery stick and queen green olive. Well, I'm on the road so my expectations weren't high at least. Menu reads well though.
(2)Heather S.
Amazing food. So delicious. Would eat here all the time if I lived nearby. Will be back again when we head north.
(5)Stephanie N.
My family and I were driving back to Chicago after a first time vacation to Sleeping Bear Dunes, MI. Did not want highway fast food, so checked Yelp for what was nearby. What a gem! I wished I lived closer to patronize their establishment on a regular basis. We stopped on a Sunday afternoon, before the dinner rush and had the place to ourselves. The service was great, the decor was lovely and the food was exceptional. My husband had the chicken curry soup with broccoli, ribeye steak and au gratin potatoes. I had a gluten-free version of chicken marsala with polenta and grilled veggies and my son had a grass-fed burger with egg and bacon on top. Most everything is locally grown or raised. We sampled one another's meals because everything was out of the norm delicious. Well worth the 2-3 mile jaunt off the highway!
(5)Jessie W.
Went for my first time here, didnt know Big Rapids had such a nice restaurant. Airy, clean and well kept, and the bathrooms are incredibly nice. Their bar is fully stocked, half the menu is drinks. I ordered their Caesar Salad with grilled shrimp and we all got cheesecake for desert. BEST CHEESECAKE IVE EVER HAD. The salad was large, dressing is homemade daily and was delicious. The shrimp were large, spicy and grilled. It was a pricey meal but the food was phenomenal. Our waitress could have been better however, she never asked if we wanted drink other than water and when we asked for the dessert on one specific person's bill, it was not done. The food and ambiance was fantastic though
(5)Melissa B.
Elegant ambience, nice complementary flavors, and friendly service. Beautiful children's burger, generous petite cheese plate with fantastic cheese and house made crackers, excellent soups, crisp salads with lovely vinergarette and a full bar of cocktails, wines, and brews. The decor was enviable too from the charming fireplace to the immaculate tastefully decorated lavatories!! We enjoyed a peaceful rest stop with great food and wifi.
(5)Chris K.
We had lunch. The tomato basil soup is the best we have ever had. My husband had chicken and risotto that made him want to lick the plate. My grilled cheese was superb. We will go back.
(4)Charity C.
Amazing food! We loved the cheese plate, I had the vineyard chicken salad and my dining companion had the blueberry bleu cheese salad, both were delicious! Our server, Lauren, was phenomenal! We will go out of our way to stop at this delightful restaurant on future visits to northern michigan.
(5)Amanda B.
Excellent brunch. Had the California Egg White omelet and cleaned my plate. Worth the stop!
(5)cedro t.
I'm blown away! Balanced, flavorful, simple, delicious, perfect. From the bruschetta to the filet with pepper creme sauce, everything was just right. In Big Rapids? It's like my favorite restaurant of all time, Epi's in Meridian Idaho, unbelievable perfection from where you'd never expect.
(5)Nancy T.
I loved the food & the staff. The atmosphere was fantastic. Highly recommended it and would go again.
(5)Mitchell E.
The steak salad was great, they were out of hamburgers so I got the jambalaya, which was ok. Great bread though. Would go with the salads here, farm to table so very fresh.
(4)Lorraine H.
Service: A+. Kevin was polite, friendly, quick, welcoming, and gave us recommendations when asked. He went to the kitchen to ask questions of the chef at our bidding, and did not once roll his eyes or act impatient. There was a definite desire to please. Food: A. Chicken Marsala with polenta and baby brussel sprouts. The sprouts were just a wee bit greasy - maybe it was butter, I don't know. But everything was delicious, and the coffee was fresh and hot. Real cream! Cheesecake for dessert - massive slices, very delicious. Atmosphere: B+. Pretty dim after the sun set. The bathroom is sophisticated in design but lighting was ridiculously dim in the stalls. Great interior design, nice use of space. In an historic building but they didn't rape it.
(4)Jw P.
Great dinner. Michelle our server was great. The lobster crepes were amazing and my mouth is still watering for the rib eye. The House Micro-brews were ok, but they supplemented with a great selection of Michigan Brews. All in all, I left there a happy, and full, man.
(4)Alix M.
My partner and I are both gluten free diners, and we've eaten at Blue Cow on more than one occasion. Beyond truly lovely gluten free food, they have an excellent wine selection, and an inviting atmosphere. We've enjoyed everything we've ordered, and the extra touch that goes into creating a gluten free meal that just tastes like a meal is definitely apparent. I am so happy to have found this little place that is not only the only real gluten free option in Big Rapids, but is also a wonderful place to spend an hour or so enjoying food and company.
(5)Jay A.
Great food and great service! They have a good variety of menu selections and a friendly staff. The perfect place to go for something tasty and different than chain food. A little pricey, but you get what you pay for. :)
(4)Tyler C.
Terrific place! We drove a little ways off of the highway for the food, and it was worth the time. The ingredients are fresh and the food selections were creative. At the beginning of our visit we received a warm and inviting welcome, from a hostess we believe was the owner. If not, she is definitely a manager who loves her place of employment. Our server Erica was attentive and knowledgeable about the menu. The crepes could have had more asparagus for out tastes, but the hollandaise on the benedict was tangy and the sausage was delightful. Check out the men's bathroom! It has mood lighting, a sink with trendy faucets and river rocks, and aspen branches as trees out of the half-wall. That's not something I would have expected to see in a little college town like Big Rapids.
(4)H P.
Pretty good food. ok, actually quite tasty. The only problem is the portions were very small, especially for the relatively high price charged. Atmosphere was just fine, as was the service, and the place is neat and clean, if that stuff matters to you. I mostly care about food quality (5 stars), quantity (1 star), versus price (2 stars). Still, I was stuck in Big Rapids on business and it was better than eating at some chain place.
(3)Jeffrey W.
I'll admit it: we were not expecting the Blue Cow Cafe to live up to the reviews here on Yelp. Nobody expects Big Rapids to have an excellent French restaurant, no mater what the fans say. The menu looked suspiciously pretentious, and they had plastic bread in their display cases. From the first bite to the last, however, the food did the talking. For an appetizer, we ordered the special, a "blueberry Pizzaladiére." This sweet and savory flatbread pizza was amazing, with perfect caramelized onions, tiny blueberries, and a little drizzle of blueberry coulis. You could have served it at breakfast, too. For main dishes, three had steaks (two ribeye and one filet mignon) and one had scallops. Judging from the intensity of eating, everything was tasty. My ribeye was well-marbled, tender and flavorful. There was way too much of it, but that just meant that we had good cold steak sandwiches the next day. Chocolate mousse was rich and dark, and there was a great selection of alcohol for the final toast. I would go out of my way to eat here again. And given that I haven't been on the west side of Michigan for about 30 years, I will probably have to go out of my way if I do want to eat here again. Recommendation? Get rid of the plastic bread. It sets the wrong tone.
(4)Emily M.
This was one of the best meals I've ever had. The prices are insanely affordable especially considering how delicious everything is. I ordered the Champagne Chicken and Honey Goat Crostini. Both amazing. Do not go here without ordering the Honey Goat Crostini. You need to try it. It could possibly be life changing. If I could buy it in bulk and drive it back to Chicago, I would. I should probably figure out a way to make that happen. The Champagne Chicken was also amazing. Not quite as life changing but definitely amazing. The crostini is like nothing I've ever tasted before. I could really go for some right now..
(5)Thad H.
Likely the best restaurant in the area. They are moving toward the local sustainable food movement, and the food is well prepared. Stick to the specials and main entrees, some of the extra items aren't as developed. The home made beer is pretty good, and they have a great wine list. Not ready for Michigan Ave in Chicago, but it smokes the other local options by several miles.
(4)MK M.
Stellar food. Lovely waitress. Interesting, comfortable setting with nice details. I will make a point to return. Try the Salmon Crustini, and the Champagne Chicken. And the chocolate mousse.
(5)Emma D.
DELICIOUS food. Especially the Thai rice, tomato basil soup and chicken salad croissant. Lovely atmosphere and service. Would recommend to everyone.
(5)Niki W.
Liked it so well ate here more than once during move in weekend at Ferris! Great Oasis for parents from campus to share a farewell or birthday dinner with kids! Service was great (thanks Zack) and atmosphere wonderful. Oh yeah, great food too! I will return every tie I am in Big Rapids!
(5)gd v.
So very surprised when we stubbled upon the Blue Cow Cafe and Big Rapids! Wow...who would have thought - we were headed home from the holiday weekend & needed to gas up & get some food into us when we decided to pull off the highway and found this gem! Great food - I had the grilled salmon w/risotto & veggies. Very very nice! Flavorful & fresh. My friend had the Chicago Black/Blue beef tenderloin - wow was this delicious! We didn't have any wine or beer since we had a long drive back home but there seemed to be no lacking of wine, champagne , mixed drinks or brews to pick from. The decor was very cute & modern French. Casual nice dress attire but we did see some people a little more casual. Service was pleasant - they were packed but but very accommodating. If we are ever in the area again...we are going back!
(5)John T.
I would rate this place higher but their food quality is inconsistent. They have great steaks but occasionally I get one that's tough, even though it doesn't appear to be overcooked. Once got an edamame appetizer (their version of Hawaiian spicy soybean) and the beans in the center were still frozen. They only sell Michigan brewed beers which is fine but unless you're familiar with them you don't have any idea what you're getting. There's no brewery that I know of in the building, so their beer can't be "brewed on site" there. The atmosphere is nice, quiet and decorated nicely, and the wait staff is always friendly and knowledgeable.
(3)Bob F.
Who would have expected that such a gem could be found in such a little town? If I've had some better food this consistently, I can't remember where. When you walk in, the decor is very classy and low-lit which makes for a very comfortable atmosphere. To start off, you have an excellent choice of wines or Michigan beers. Also, the bartender homebrews his own beers and serves them on draught. Everything from his brewery is excellent. Next, you really can't go wrong with anything on the menu. Everything is perfectly prepared and presented in style. The Kessler Chop is more like a bacon steak. I was expecting a dainty little pork chop, instead I received a pound of perfectly cooked pork. Also, the black and blue steak is excellent, as is any steak really. They cook perfectly to order and the beef quality is top notch and melts in your mouth. To end, you have your choice of desserts, and dessert coffees and liqueurs. The creme brulee is some of the best I've had so I haven't bothered trying anything else. If you are within even an hour of this place, that far away would still probably be worth driving just to experience this place.
(5)Roland S.
A nice slice of fine dining in rural Big Rapids, MI. This French-inspired restaurant has lots of fresh, locally grown/raised/made menu items in a very upscale atmosphere. It's a large restaurant with simple, elegant decor and a charming fireplace in the center of the dining room. There's a bar and dessert counter off to one side and room in the back that would be perfect for private parties. There's even a small outdoor seating area. We've been here twice, once when it just opened a couple years ago and again yesterday. It's quite noisy when full as was the case a couple years ago, and I don't see that they've done anything to change that. Last night, the place was moderately busy, and the volume was fine. Our server was cheerful, knowledgeable, and prompt. Service with a smile is a cliche, but it does make a difference when the person seems happy to be there and proud of what they are bringing you. The food on both visits was excellent. I don't recall the specifics of our first visit, except that everyone left happy and pleased that this kind of place had opened up in Big Rapids. Last night, I had the blueberry and blue cheese salad with a blueberry vinaigrette to start and it was fresh and full of blueberry flavor. The blue cheese was mild and a nice match with the blueberry and baby spinach flavors. My entree was the Kessler Chop, a thick, smoky-flavored, grilled pork chop with a fruit chutney, potato gratin, and a few spears of fresh asparagus, which I'm sure they threw in because it's in season. The asparagus was nicely cooked, and overall my meal was delicious. My only complaint was that for the size of the chop, I could have used more chutney. My wife had the cream of asparagus soup for a starter and it was a dark green with amazing asparagus flavor and just creamy enough to be a soup rather than an asparagus puree. Really great! Her entree was the lamb chops, which the Blue Cow gets locally, and they were tasty with a nice mustard rub. Her mother got the same and they both really enjoyed them. Full of flavor and large portions. I snuck a bite of her mushroom risotto, too, and it was well-prepared with a good but not overpowering flavor. My father-in-law had the swordfish dinner, which was one of the specials, and it was also (reportedly) very good. What I can say about it is that the portion was very generous and it appeared to be skillfully prepared. Our desserts were all very good as well, including my locally made (Fennville) chocolate, white chocolate raspberry, and raspberry gelatos and my wife's airy chocolate mousse. She almost ordered second one it was so good and light. The Blue Cow also has an extensive wine list as well as a little shop for retail wine sales. Their recent venture into beer brewing is still on wobbly blue calf legs, though. I tried the Tap Sampler, a very generous 5 oz. pour of their four brews (Strong Ale, IPA, Citrus-something, and Cream Ale), and they weren't too good. The Cream Ale was the most drinkable, with an almost hard cider apple-y-ness. The Strong Ale was overhopped and the IPA had no flavor other than hops. The Citrus whatever was more like a shandy than a beer. My friends' first few batches of homebrew were better; hopefully the Blue Cow brewery (which smartly and luckily nabbed the "Big Rapids Brewing Company" name) improves with experience. I almost knocked the rating down to four stars over this, but at the end of the day, this is still the finest dining in Big Rapids and we were overall very happy with the visit. We'll just order the wine next time. Overall, this is a fantastic place to dine with fresh, local ingredients, charming service, nice outdoor seating along one of the downtown's main streets, and pleasant servers. If you're in Big Rapids for one meal, I think this is your place.
(5)Nancy D.
We really enjoyed our meal! We started with the cheese plate for two - excellent. We both added a house salad to our meal and the field greens were exceptional! I had the champagne chicken with parmesan risotto - delicious, and my husband had the tenderloin wrapped in bacon with au gratin potatoes - yum! We shared a bottle of Chalone - great wine! Our daughter had the cheese pizza and a lot of bread from the basket :) And to top it off, we had an excellent server - Travis. Great job all around!
(5)Randy H.
Tried the Cow again Waited to long at the bar for a drink, No bread with our mussels. Love the atmosphere severe and lack.of Manger sucks. Wants to be upscale but is not.
(1)Lynn I.
Excellent meal, good service and nice atmosphere. Visited on Sept 12th for my don's 18th Birthday Dinner. Black and Blue Tenderloin was very well done and pumpkin cheesecake was yummy. Will definitely visit again.
(5)Taylor N.
The champagne chicken with Parmesan risotto is to die for!!! I get it every time I go. I love the bread and garlic butter. White wine sangria and the mojitos are great!! Also if you save room for dessert which isn't likely because the portions are great, try the cheesecake it's so good! Not a normal boring cheesecake either, it tastes like there is ricotta cheese in it!! Service is always great and environment is very peaceful and fancy.
(5)Justen C.
recently a friend forgot to pay his bill here and they put him on blast on Facebook and decided everyone needed to know he was in jail recentlyIly and judged him based on heresay on facebook and never contacted him personaly before doing this. Very unprofesional buisness edicate and will not be frequenting the blue cow again and will be sure to notify as many people as i can about this atrocity. Very dissapointed in there buisness model.
(1)Food Critic S.
Great Food especially the mussels!! Great wine selection!! Best restaurant in Big Rapids by far !!
(4)A V.
This is far-and-away the best restaurant in Big Rapids, and possibly the second best restaurant in the region behind Red's in Rockford. I've eaten here 5 or 6 times. The food is always outstanding. Service can be hit or miss at times, but hey, you're in Big Rapids...
(4)Eric C.
Is this really in Big Rapids?? Wow, just ate at Blue Cow for the first time and it was amazing. Great service and as other reviewers said, the goat cheese crostini is life changing. I have lived and travelled all over the US and I have to put this restaurant into the upper echelon of any where I have eaten. Can't wait to get back.
(5)Mike N.
Neither my wife or I have ever had anything bad here. The rib-eye is to die for! Very friendly staff, and worth every penny. Totally not expected in Big Rapids but, do yourself a favor and try it. You won't be disappointed.
(5)Scott T.
Great place to eat and excellent food. Salmon sandwich was wonderful.
(5)T K.
The Blue Cow is a wonderful restaurant. I spent lunch with my class there and the food was delicious. Plus, the casual elegance of the space made me feel happily comfortable and the servers were friendly and attentive. Even the prices are good! Definitely recommended.
(5)Dave K.
As everyone says in the other posts, who'd have thought that such a small town would have such a fabulous place to eat. Food is always consistent. Atmosphere is great. Don't let this place pass you by! Try the hot pretzel appetizer. Excellent!
(5)Jennifer G.
What a wonderful place to spend my birthday dinner last week! We were in town for golfing and found this little gem. You wouldn't think in this small town that you would find some a higher scale restaurant with good food, but we did! I started with their Blueberry Blue Cheese Spinach Salad - which came with fresh blueberries and a blueberry vinaigrette. You would think that all the blueberries would be a little overwhelming, but they were not. My husband had the Classic Caesar to start and it was also good. For our entrees we had the Smoked Chicken Pasta with chicken, fire grilled red peppers, red onion in a garlic cream sauce. It was delicious - probably extremely high in calories and fat due to the cream sauce, but very good! My husband had the Mediterranean Pasta Special - which was also quite good (or so he said b/c I didn't try it!). Unfortunately, we didn't have room for dessert, but I did have two of their pineapple upside down cake martinis. They were delicious and were so smooth. This is a perfect place to have dinner - special occasion or not. Great food and great service!
(4)Emily G.
Who knew that the tiny little town of Big Rapids would have such a gem of a restaurant like the Blue Cow Cafe. I drove 3.5hours from Ann Arbor for an interview and my recruiters took me here for dinner. Talk about getting wined and dined! I looked up this place online and found a pathetic-looking website, making me think I was being taken to a small town diner for dinner. Boy was I wrong. -THE DECOR- The place is regular/large in size for a fancy restaurant. Everything is light-colored wood and earthy colors with mustad and brown table cloths and low candle-lighting. Some of the rooms were almost closed to look like someone's home dining room (with a long rectangular table seating 8, a nice chandelier on top, a painting and a china cupboard). There were wine bottles everywhere and different rooms, allowing for decently quiet talking volume. I fell in love as soon as I came in and i KNEW this place would be fancy. -THE FOOD- For appetizers, we ordered the bruschetta and the cheese platter. I ordered a Michigan Kessle Chop (grilled pork loin with sweet potato hash, apple chutney and cooked cabbage) and for dessert we shared a flaming bannana and a tiramisu. We also got warm fresh bred with a garlic and herb infused butter that was absolutely delicious. The cheese platter had a nice medium-creamy goat cheese, parmesan, a hard brie and (what I think was) a nice sheep cheese. The main course was like eating heaven. The pork was perfectly cooked, great texture and perfect grilled marks, and the hash browns and apple chutney were a perfect combination to each the pork with. It was even better when I put a little bit of the leftover goat cheese on the pork... PERFECT COMBINATION! Even though I was full after the appetizers, I could NOT not finish this meal, it was too good to leave behind. Our banana dessert was cooked and served table-sized, where we saw giant flames when they added the rum in the pan cooked over the gas stove-top. The bannana dessert was served with a vanilla gelato that went perfect with the rum and sugary sauce on the cooked bannanas. Finally, the tiramisu was very creamy and nice and had a hint (not too much) of coffee flavor. -THE SERVICE- Although our waitress was very nice, she was barely around. This is the one thing that really annoyed me. The restaurant did not seem very full, but maybe they were considerably understaffed because they took a WHILE to serve each one of our dishes. Besides the service though, this is a place I would absolutely come back for, if I would ever go to Big Rapids Again. Be warned though, each main course ranges from $20-$25 so be prepared to spend quite a bit or hope that a recruiter can pick up your tab. :)
(5)