Bartertown Diner
6 Jefferson Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503
Bartertown Diner Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Grand Rapids for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Grand Rapids for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Grand Rapids for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
6 Jefferson Ave SE
Grand Rapids, MI, 49503 - Phone (616) 233-3219
- Website https://www.bartertowngr.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Tue
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : No
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : No
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Caleb S.
The food is amazing and nutritious. Unparalleled in GR. More often than not I'm only able to eat half of the meal, as they tend to be so filling. Unlike most café's, the self-serve coffee is delicious and satisfying. No complaints about the food ever. Design: very original, sharp, and fresh. It has character, which is something most establishments in this city lack. In bigger cities, business is more competitive and restaurants have to innovate and be creative in their menu and design. If Grand Rapids supported more places that are edgy and original, they would multiply. The status quo in health, design and desire in the city is slowly receding, but not fast enough. Salute to Bartertown for raising the bar. Try the specials. Every day the special changes, and they're always superb. It's on the chalkboard above the counter On a side note, Bartertown is now a bona fide collective -- which means it's owned and operated by the workers (and you'd be hard put to find any other servers/kitchen staff that care as much about where they work). Can't wait for Cult Pizza!
(5)Julia B.
The only thing I've ever had from here was the bowl of food and the iced chai but both have kept me coming back! The bowl of food is always changing and you just have to ask what the ingredients are for the day. It is always a mix of beans, rice and veggies and never disappoints! It's filling yet healthy so it's perfect for lunch. The iced chai is one of the best i have ever had! Their hours are kind of weird so check online before going.
(4)Anissa C.
First time I came here I absolutely hated the smoothie I ordered. This time, complete 180! We had the havvana panini and the prezidential sandwiches--I recomend both. The vegan sandwiches did not taste vegan at all. Atmosphere is total hipster, trendy, and punk rock music blares perfectly in the background. Our waitress was very attentive as well.
(4)Fran D.
Free coffee. Amazing prices. Delicious veggie/vegan-friendly meals. Friendly service. I loved this little place! Feels like home.
(4)Jamila B.
Some of the reviewers below are putting way too much thought into this! This place has affordable ($6 for a huge bowl of food), delicious, and very healthy food! The staff are paid a living wage, so you can feel good about that. The atmosphere is funky and fun, and some parts of the shop are clearly crafted from re-used materials (the bar and front counter) and look really cool. We had the $2 tacos and Bowl o' Food - both change daily. Both were well-spiced and very filling. Such a good dinner. The woman who served us was friendly and efficient - and no, unlike some of the reviewers below, I don't want waitstaff to grovel or be overly attentive -- and they don't need to, since their income doesn't depend on your tips to make rent! Good job! We are new regulars!
(5)Dave P.
I am vegetarian and my wife is vegan and we eat here multiple times a week. There are always a couple daily specials that are delicious and and Ryan, the chef, is very knowledgable of how to prepare and best utilize local west michigan foods. The owner's and staff have always been extremely helpful, polite and timely with our food. Check their hours before you go. Also, I did not understand the other reviewer's comment about their "uneducated, misguided, and distasteful communist theme" Sure, there is art on the wall that will likely spur conversation, but the staff there just wants you to have a great meal, a great experience and if you inquire, answer your questions about local michigan foods - and they all do this very well. No hidden agenda's that I could detect. Just some wonderful people making GR a better place, with better food options.
(5)Jodi W.
I have only been here for breakfast, but I do love it because it offers something so different, stands for something, and doesn't apologize for the position it takes. It sometimes runs out of certain menu items because they truly use locally grown food, and when that is gone, they don't just run to the grocery store to supplement it. Their coffee is GREAT, truly great. Like all of their food, they focus on the best, and it's direct trade (not fair trade) - which focuses on the farmer and the roaster. The breakfast items are so good. I'm not a vegetarian, but I appreciate the inventiveness in the menu and the unique things they put together. I'd like to see them clean it a bit - lots of dust and clutter make it less appetizing than it could be - but other than that, I'm a big fan. Bonus: open for breakfast on Sundays!
(4)Heather D.
I'm not vegan or vegetarian, but I love this place. Even the combinations that sound kind of strange end up being tasty. I have yet to have anything there that I didn't like. The atmosphere is fun, funky, warm and cozy and the staff is always really nice and accommodating. Every time I've been in, the place smells great and just feels welcoming. Ingredients are fresh and high quality. Their cupcakes are amazing- if you try one and you'll want one every time you go, at least to take home. If you get takeout and bring your own container they give you 15% off and even though I've never done takeout there, I think that's so cool! Thanks for what you're doing, Bartertown. Grand Rapids needs more places like this.
(4)Kelley H.
I love finding a restaurant like Bartertown because it stands on principals that are important to me. They are invested in people and local farms and serve decently priced and creative food, too. We went for an early dinner, so it was quiet and the server was attentive. The food was really tasty and not too expensive. You should know that they might not have somethings on the menu because they work on a smaller scale. This doesn't bother me, but it's something to know about before getting your heart set on something. I think they have room to grow, but I'll support them in the meantime.
(3)Becky G.
A tip from a Grand Rapids barrista, we were super happy to be introduced to Bartertown. Food was good, however a little bland for the tofu scramble, but nothing that wouldn't have us return. Great place..
(4)Rachael W.
Very delicious food. We had the $2 tacos, and the veggie bowl. Unfortunately, the service was pretty horrible. It took forever for the waitress to return to us to take our order (though food got out to us fairly quickly). We had to wave her down twice to get refills on water. One of the kids knocked over a drink and although she was standing nearby, we couldn't get her attention to get more napkins. She looked in our direction frequently, but it seemed like she was looking over us to see the table behind us - never at us. We ended up having to go up to the cash register to get the bill because she never brought it to the table. As a vegetarian, I was so excited to find a place where I could eat everything on the menu. Sadly, I won't be back.
(2)Jamie Z.
@ Amber A in response to the criticism of BT's loyalty to local food and the reference to the book "Just Food:" I haven't read the book, but I found this Amazon review/ critique useful: " McWilliams overlooks several hugely important problems--elephants i
(5)Bob S.
We have been going to Bartertown Diner routinely now since June. We were really curious about a vegan/vegetarian restaurant in downtown GR. Unlike some other posters, we have found our experiences with Bartertown overall excellent. The food has been consistent, very good to excellent quality. (I haven't been to "Burritotown," so can't speak to that.) The Cajun Omelet is a brunch favorite for us; the Chickpea Melt is an excellent and popular choice for us too. I usually try one of the daily specials; the variety is great and the items are determined (if I heard right) by the folks cooking that day. We go there at least once a week, on average. The folks at Bartertown have developed a consistency of good quality with food and wait staff. I think Bartertown has a great approach to using seasonal foods and a variety of ingredients in varying combinations affording some great items. Some may find the menu limited; it's tied to the season in part. But it's good food. And it's gratifying to see the place so consistently busy at meal times. I recommend the place strongly, particularly if you had a less than good experience before and haven't returned since.
(5)Elena S.
I love this place! The Michigander is ah-mazing. The staff is great. All the food is grown locally and the cup cakes are delicious. I'm really looking forward to checking out Burritotown!!!!! Burritos from 10 - 3 am? Yes please!!!
(5)Shelly B.
I really really really want to love this place since I'm in desperate need of a great veg place to go. But the experience is just so inconsistent that I now hesitate going back. I used to love the gourmet cupcakes in the case- all were gluten free and amazing. Now the desserts are dry- mostly because they aren't individually wrapped in the case and the air just makes them like little bricks. Sometimes I get a great server- but sometimes it's not good at all. At one of my visits while I was cashing out, my server answered her cell phone and then stood at my table and had a conversation! After having a couple of great lunches, I decided to bring friends from work only to arrive during their normal business hours to see a sign on the door that they were closed. This unexpected closing has happened to me 3 times now. I really like the concept and the food is pretty good- but this just feels like a bunch of hippies who don't know how to run a successful business. Please Please Bartertown- get better at this- GR needs good restaurants with quality food. I'm rooting for you and i'll try back in a few months.
(2)Jan M.
Tacos were innovative and delicious -- black beans and rice with cumin and other flavors on a freshly fried corn tortilla. My side of potato salad was heavy on the mustard in a good re-invention of traditional summer potato salad. Portion size was perfect for lunch. Also, very mellow vibe in dining area.
(4)Kelly H.
Yes, the atmosphere is kinda crazy. I think my husband referred to it as "definitely counter-cultural" as we walked in. Probably not somewhere you'd want to take a client for a business lunch or to take the really conservative, but the owners definitely have their views and don't shy away from art that's thought provoking. We both had the parsnip ribs special, which was not only creative, but also delicious. The parsnips were accompanied by a side of curried potatoes & celeriac, which were super flavorful. My husband has one of Roc's cupcakes (which of course I stole a bit), and it was really moist and flavorful. For those that are soy-free, I wish they would have more options without veganaise and tempeh. Any place that's vegetarian/vegan that even my carnivorous husband enjoys is definitely worth a repeat visit in my book!
(4)Matthew E.
Visited for the first time with a friend last week. The service was casual, but attentive and the food was fantastic. We sampled two appetizers and the ever-evolving $2 taco (the menu says the taco changes each day). The food alone would merit 4 1/2 stars from me, but meeting the challenge of a vegan menu earns the next 1/2 star. I am not 'a Vegan' but value responsible food choices and realize that most animal products are not sourced in ways that are appetizing. After our meal one of the workers/owners stopped by for a chat and shared some more background on the goals of the collective. If the food or service were poor, even the grandest vision would not make for a successful restaurant, but in this case, having made clear their skill and intent only makes me more eager to help this 'experiment' succeed.
(5)Kate S.
I tried out Bartertown at lunch today for the first time, and I really enjoyed it. The menu had a large variety of items and all of them sounded delicious. I was a strict vegetarian for many years, but I am not anymore. I think there is something here for everyone, and people who are used to eating meat with every meal will be pleasantly surprised with the very well prepared and flavorful foods here. I paid $8 for my sandwich which I got with a side of home fries. It was a large plate of food and I was certainly feeling full (but not stuffed) at the end of my meal. I also had some of their coffee which was very good. It is a little costly at $3, but with the free refills and fact that it is fair trade, I was willing to pay for it. The service is very good, and the atmosphere is very casual and comfortable. The eclectic mix of tables, lighting and even coffee mugs made me love the place even more. It was not a pretentious group running the place. It took me back to my days as a 20 year old going to school in Chicago. Just a small, cozy place to eat with really good food.
(4)Brandon J.
An all around great experience at Bartertown Diner. Stopped in early on a Sunday morning and was immediately greeted by one of the staff members in the small kitchen area that runs along the north wall of the restaurant. Just find yourself a clean table when you arrive and take a seat, you'll be served shortly. I chose the countertop seating area which overlooks Jefferson Ave. The interior's trendy and the wall art really provides the perfect mood for the fresh local food Bartertown serves. I ordered the standard breakfast which included a creamy tofu veggie scramble, seasoned home fries, tempeh bacon strips, sautéed greens (kale) and a gluten-free griddle oat cake w/ maple syrup. Everything was very good. Just a really simple and clean taste to the whole dish, not to mention it being fresh and healthy too! An iced chia served in a wide mouth mason jar to finish everything off and you've got an amazing breakfast to start the day. I'd love to stop in again to try a few of their lunch items after my experience today.
(5)Jen H.
This place is incredible. My husband and I eat here all the time. We take all of our friends and family here when they are visiting. Food is incredible, it's employee owned, they put a huge emphasis on working with local farms, suppliers, etc.. There isn't another place in GR that can compare with their standards. I make it a point to try something new each time I go and I've never been disappointed. We tell everyone we can to check this place out and they we always hear back about how much everyone loved it. Definitely a MUST VISIT if you are in Grand Rapids.
(5)Kim T.
The 3 stars are for the service. I've been several times and knew it was seatt yourself. I sat at an available table that needed to be bused. Apparently they have a "rule" that they don't serve you if you sit at a dirty table. (See blackboard as you walk in). When I asked for a menu the waitress told me if I wanted to be served I had to get up and wait for the table to be cleaned. REALLY??
(3)Tony J.
I used to go here all the time. It used to be 5 stars but I feel it is inconsistent. I've never had bad food, and I was a weekly burrito town regular, but I never know portion size and the farm to table leads to many outs and substitutions.
(4)Sarah M.
Really enjoyed my experience here and will most likely come back whenever I am in Grand Rapids again. My group ordered the following: French toast, cauliflower chicken and waffles, open faced biscuit Sammie, and the buffalo wings. The French toast was the winner in our opinion. The chicken and waffles were good, but I kind of thought the cauliflower would have a different breading than the buffalo wings. Our least favorite was the open faced biscuit Sammie... Way too much kale, not enough sauce or scramble. Overall all of the food was very good. The service was okay and why I am giving them four stars. When deciding our meal, we asked the waitress to help us pick between a few items and she simply replied that 'everything on the menu is good', while I am not going to argue that a bit of direction is nice. She also did not tell us 'when you are ready pay at the counter' or anything in that vein, which was okay since we were chatting and in no rush, but some direction is greatly appreciated instead of us wondering if she will ever come back to us. One of the meal highlights for me was noticing next to the checkout a selection of fun sodas, the hop soda is amazing!!!! I ran back to ohio and ordered a case of hop soda to enjoy non-stop.
(4)Nick A.
The food here is alright, but it is definitely a step down from their older offerings. The service is average. I'd usually give them three stars, but I have to lower my review to two stars because their new hours are terrible. So disappointing...
(2)LaTarro T.
2 words: Customer Service! Great service, awesome food..I'm in love with the hot sauce..mmmm *Homer Simpson voice* I mainly come for the $2 tacos, but tried the tostada one day when they were out of tacos..the tostada rocked my world and changed my life! The only minus (I'm being selfish here) is that they aren't open on Mondays or Tuesdays. I inquired about this and apparently Saturday and Sunday's are their busiest days, so it's necessary that they take the first two days of the work off in order to maintain a normal life..I can get with that. Keep up the GREAT work guys! You have a life-long customer here!!!
(5)Jessica M.
Amazing, fresh, and flavorful breakfast/brunch/lunch. Good service and laid back atmosphere. Prices are fair for the large portions dished out. The worst thing about Bartertown is choosing just one meal on the menu. I'll be back every chance I get. Thank you for supporting local farmers and organic. ACAB!
(5)Michael A.
I used to love this place. However, their recent changes over the last year have greatly decreased the experience. Don't waste your time. Service has never been great, but the food more than made up for it. But it's just downright terrible now, they're lazy. When I went last, I asked for the special because I couldn't read it from my location. She said she didn't know and I could go look at the board. Then asked for their bowl of food and she couldn't tell me what that was either. They're closed for Monday's and Tuesday's. Seems like every time I go something is broken. Worst of all, their food was delicious and worth the premium. However, the last 3 trips I've gone it's been mediocre at best. Not worth my time or money. I'd like to go back to this place, but my last time was terrible all around and will no longer support this once great organization.
(1)Sandra F.
My husband and I were traveling up to Traverse City, Michigan and was passing through Grand Rapids. It was lunch time and wanted something healthy to eat. We found this place through yelp in the vegetarian section. We found the menu to be interesting. Bartertown is a Vegan/Vegetarian/Raw Food Diner located in Downtown Grand Rapids. Offering Brunch, Lunch and Dinner. We walked in and server told us we can seat ourselves anywhere in the restaurant. The vibe of this place is so cool. EVERYTHING was made out of recycle materials. Some of the tables were doors, the light fixtures made out of tiffany stained glass/bicycle rack and bottles. So rad!! Love the music selection. Ramones was playing at the time we dined in. The server was the only one waiting on tables so it took awhile to get our order. For lunch I got the cuban which is smoked tofu, caramelized onions, vegan cheese (you can also choose dairy cheese if you wish) on a toasted panini bread for $8.00 (side item comes with blue corn chips) and my husband got the Chickpea Melt which is their popular seller. It consist of ground chickpeas, onion, greens and dill mixed with veganaise and vegan cheddar. Served on wild rice onion bread and a side of blue corn chips - $8.50. You can add Tempeh Bacon or greens for $1.00 more. All I can say is WOW!!!! My Cuban Panini was awesome!!! Loved the caramelized onions and the combo of the vegan cheese and smoked tofu! Taste all great together. I tried my husband's Chickpea Melt and loved the fresh made bread! The chickpea mix had a great taste/flavor (was not dry or salty). For dessert we got a small vegan peach cobler tart to go. YUM!!!! Wish this place was also located in Cincinnati. I would go every week!! The restaurant and bathrooms are clean. Street parking. So glad we dined here!
(4)Sam G.
Three and a half stars. I like the interior and the atmosphere inside. The waitress was friendly and efficient. My buddy and I split a chickpea melt deluxe and the sweet potato falafel plate. My vote goes for the melt - pretty light and fresh with nice flavors popping - we also got kimchi put on it for an extra kick. Side of baked beans were tasty but inconsistently cooked (got a couple of raw'ish lone beans in the mix). The falafel plate was really flat, earthy, and one-noted -- and no sweet potato to be found! At least it felt like I was eating something healthful as it wasn't too oily. The lemon tahini sauce was the highlight of the plate. I will no doubt come here again though more than likely only when I am dining with a veg buddy or when I want to sit and relax with some tea in a nice environment.
(3)Rachel I.
Superb vegan, gluten free food. Hip, fun vibe with lots of conversation pieces decorating the walls. Friendly staff and ginger kombucha for sale, along with raw vegan desserts. Yummy!!!
(5)Christian B.
For omnivores, it's a true three stars: Okay, but unremarkable. The vegetarian, vegan, and raw food options here are creative, but that doesn't carry over to their flavor. I've had lunch here a few times, and they've been forgettable meals. It deserves to be said, though, that the prices and portions are both generous.
(3)Joanie W.
I was really pleased by the quality and flavor of the food at Bartertown. The menu was small, but inventive, and the interesting flavor combinations in each dish worked really well. The chickpea melt was quite a large portion size, very flavorful - I shared with my family, and they all loved it as well. I also sampled the michigander (loved the beet/bean burger combination), and the chick'n salad (amazing!) My sister got the burrito special and it was a bit too spicy for her, but still good. The one thing I was not a fan of was that the music was pretty loud. However this is just a personal preference. I love that Bartertown supports local farms as well, and it's great that an all-vegan restaurant exists in Grand Rapids.
(5)Meg R.
Reuben sandwich was the bomb. The flavors were so delicious, and the toasted bread complimented the yum sandwich fillings to a tee. Def heading back soon to try the chickpea "tuna."
(5)Elaine L.
This has probably been the hardest 3 stars I've ever given out. Hardest because I think for some respects this place deserves 4 or even 5 stars. At the same time, I walked out of there with a distinctly dirty feeling. I know hippies don't ACTUALLY have coodies (fyi, I'm liberal), but a garbage can full of weird pink slimy stuff left out just by the bathrooms and the overgrowing plants and other random "decorations" lead me to believe that this was a reformed hoarder who decided to make vegan/vegetarian food as a new lease on life. I actually sought this place out because the story (shared wages, local produce, etc) is something deep down I empathize with. Our pastry and tea was good enough, nothing I'd write home about, but MAYBE, just MAYBE, pay the trash guy a little more than everyone else so he actually does his job.
(3)Lindsay C.
I was surprised by the food here, because it got such good reviews. Came here for lunch on a break, got the black bean burger with cheddar and tortilla chips. It was so bland and boring! I also ordered a coffee which didn't come until the very end of my meal, and my tab was like $14. Overpriced and edible but not worth eating.
(2)Becca B.
Was visiting friends in Grand Rapids and they took me to Bartertown. As a vegan, I loved having so many options and ordered a massive plate of tacos! The service was without the vegan attitude I'm used to in other cities! Everything was delicious, and my non-vegan friends enjoyed their food too. Got a chocolate chip oatmeal cookie for the road - and it made for a decadent breakfast! Hope to go again.
(5)Glenn F.
Really enjoyed the sandwiches here. Even the confirmed carnivore who was with me said that it, "wasn't bad... I'll give you that." I consider that a high compliment. I'll be back here when I'm in GR again. Nice atmosphere.
(5)Marshall M.
I'm giving this 3 stars because I'm sure the food is good if you get served. Unfortunately I brought my vegetarian friend there and we couldn't find the restaurant because there is no sign, we stood in the entrance for literally 5 minutes wondering how we get food, then we were sat down, literally 8 minutes later we got water, then about 10 minutes after that we decided to leave because we hadn't been acknowledged. Food looked good though.
(3)Hannah T.
Nice people, quick service, and most importantly, great food. The best food in town, in my opinion. The menu may be vegan, but everything is delicious for herbivores and carnivores alike. Also, for organic and local food, the prices are pretty unbelievable. The only caveat is that the menu and hours have changed frequently lately, so if you haven't been in awhile, things might be a little different!
(5)L N.
The Compost Pile was amazing!!! It is a nacho style dish.YUM! We are fans and will be back!
(5)Monica S.
If you're a vegan hipster, this is the place to visit! The Standard Breakfast is not only savory but provides just a well-balanced amount of proteins, fibers, calcium, and carbs for one meal. If you need to take a break from the hipster art and decorations, get a window seat, and read a book and people watch for a few hours.
(5)M R.
Compost plate was delicious (despite the name!) and tacos were solid. Portions were large. Great atmosphere, friendly service. I will be back.
(5)Harper V.
A surprising treat! Awesome vegan. My husband and I are not vegans, but we happened upon this place while hungry and walking down the street during ArtPrize. We both had sandwiches - the Michigander (black bean burger) and the Chick Pea melt. They tasted great (who would have thought tempeh bacon could be so good?) and were very large (generous serving, we had to take half with us). I also had the iced chai -- tasted great and just like Thai chai iced tea. The decor is very casual young urban diner decor. It's worker-owned and operated, which adds to the perfectness of it all. Great food, good prices, very nice and helpful staff. Edited this to add that I went back a month later and food was not good. Hit and miss taste? Maybe depends on the order.
(4)Sara C.
This place is pretty great find for the ethical consumer. Their food is *all* vegan and local and really tasty! :) We shared the Havana Panini and Pretzeldential Sandwich and they were both good and bursting with flavor. The decor is quirky-cool and very clean - also, it has an open kitchen. Seems like a nice place to go for coffee or just dessert, as well - we were too full to try anything sweet from the deli case, but we'll definitely be back. :)
(5)Kevin S.
Hidden GR gem. Vegetarian or not, this place has something for everyone. Great eclectic atmosphere, incredibly friendly and knowledgeable staff. We had the compost plate as an appetizer, which was wonderful and incredibly flavorful, and I had the tofu reuben sandwich for an entree, also phenomenal. Great spot. Must-try for anyone who enjoys locally sourced, fresh, creative food. I suggest bringing a bottle of bubbly for brunch, as this place is BYOB and incredibly accommodating in that sense.
(5)Dennis L.
Having recently adopted a more health focused eating lifestyle, my wife and i were happy to have discovered Bartertown Diner. Since we had a sleeping little one back at the hotel, we enjoyed our carryout dinner. The Michigander was very flavorful a d the Pretzeldential was outstanding. we chose to pass on the chips and each ordered a side dish: black beans with rice and curried lentils. Both dishes were good, but I definitely preferred the black beans with rice. For dessert, we tried the blueberry donut and chocolate peanut butter crispy treat. The donut was more like a mini bundt cake, but it did taste delicious. The crispy treat was amazing. Overall, I would recommend Bartertown, and I would certainly return.
(4)Tiffany T.
I wish I could put a big fat zero. Their "burritios" were basically poop on a tiny tortilla shell, and smelled and tasted like it too. If this is what all vegan tastes like, count me out. Not impressed at all. Also did not help that I still smelled it the the next morning and it still made me want to vomit all over. One more negative was that the service was completely hipster and had a pretentious air to it. I don't usually give reviews, but a lot of time, the bad certainly sticks out more often than the good...this was one of those instances that drove me to comment.
(1)Todd C.
A lot of vegans would say that the toughest part of being vegan comes with dining out. Bartertown Diner, though makes it a wonderful and delicious experience. They have a very eclectic and artsy feel on the interior with a decent amount of seating. The food is geared around sandwiches primarily unless you come for brunch where there are tons of other tasty options. My wife and I each got a sandwich and shared half with the other and both were awesome. We shared a vegan take on chocolate cheesecake that was also incredible. The restaurant is committed to local ingredients as well as minimizing waste. If you're interested in trying something new, supporting a small local business or a vegan looking for an awesome meal this place is for you.
(5)Josh C.
Bartertown Diner is awesome food! Their vegan tacos, their tofu burgers, black bean burgers, you really can't go wrong with anything on their menu, and inside the restaurant there isn't this pretentious atmosphere that your a part of some health craze either. What I mean is, your not walking into a vegan restaurant where your just eating salads picked off the garden that they have in the back parking lot. (Not that their is anything wrong with that, but Bartertown isn't that type of restaurant) What it is is that your eating great food, food you feel you'd normally see at diners, but in the back of your head you realize you chowed down on something that is both tasty and healthy for you too. Yet beyond the food their is a philosophy that goes beyond the restaurant. Bartetown Diner is associated with various other local farms, produce markets, etc. They are involved with food circles and making food that is completely vegan, and though I had my doubts, it was completely alleviated as soon as I had their Tuesday $2 vegan tacos. (The first time I had it I loved it so much I ordered five more on the spot) Bartertown also runs with the philosophy of trying to incorporate ownership to those who work in the restaurant. Every person who works their owns a certain share of the Bartertown Diner. It hopes that with this business model, those who serve the dishes to the ones who cooks them, all pitch in to make the diner a successful place. (Its probably why the decor inside has paintings of famous revolutionaries) Bartertown in essence is a place that really through its philosophy of making food, incorporates the best of both worlds. It's healthy ingredients prepaired into tasty entres, its a bit of the familiar made with inovations of the new, and your not gonna regret going there.
(5)Randall D.
Pros: Friendly staff, cool space, alternative business model with a great selection of daily changing Vegan and Vegetarian food. Cons: A lot of soy on the menu for those who are looking to avoid that (like me). Been here several times and I always find something to like. Check it out!!
(4)Nancy M.
Visiting from out of town and we found this place after searching online for vegan options. What a great choice! We split two items - the tofu rancheros and the compost plate. Both were good, but the compost plate was really spectacular. I was ready to go back and have that for lunch the next day, but we weren't in the area. As we were leaving our server (she was quite nice all evening - I don't know her name, though) mentioned oatmeal cookies just out of the oven so we got two of those. DELICIOUS. Just a really nice place and great food.
(5)Sarah S.
Love BarterTown! They have been accepting cards now for some time, which is way more convienant. They also have a deli case now that always has delicious treats in it.
(5)Cassi S.
The best place around for hearty vegan foods, if your vegan you can have ANYTHING on the menu. I love this place. Great décor, great people and the best food. WARNING: This may not be your type of place if you think places like Applebee's have "good food". It is not your run of the mill place. So much better. All fresh local and seasonal ingredients, from local farms. This is real. Real food. Even if your not vegan the food is amazing. It is very well priced. The portion sizes are huge as well. I accually think eating a meal their has cost me less than making the same one (local and organic) at home. They always have 2 dollar tacos and a 6 dollar bowl of food, always different but always good!!
(5)Jay S.
Have you ever thought to yourself "I need to check that place out because I am sure its good even if its not my thing"? Well, last night my drinking pals and I thought it was time. One of the crew is a vegetarian and had been to Bartertown before. Per her accolades we figured how could we go wrong. So we went to try their late night burrito menu. As much of a meat eater as I am, I thoroughly enjoy me some veg foods. Or so I thought. I pray that in the time I havent eaten veg food my taste for it has not faded. The burritos off the burrito town menu were for lack of a better word, shit. Is salt and pepper made of meat? They must be because they were nowhere to be found. The beans and tempeh looked as though they were cooked then process blended together and rolled into a gritty bland log. There were sprinkles of onion and lettuce in their, NO CHEESE as promised and just lacking all the things needed to make my $9 worth it. Make that $18 since I popped for my girls shitty burrito too. I am looking at the Bartertown facebook now and salivating over their Sunday Brunch, it looks amazing. How they hell did three burritos come out tasting so poor? I just cant imagine where they went wrong. Wrong these burritos did go. Positive - My curiosity has been scratched about Bartertown, I wont have to try it again. Negative - One huge mark against the Locally Grown movement because this place is wasting that resource.
(1)Kati S.
Had the Oatcakes with a cranberry chutney. I'm not usually a huge vegan eater as I love me some proteins and cheese, but I can say that I was pleasantly surprised. The Oatcakes had the perfect consistency with a crunchy outside and a chewy oatmeal center. The cranberry chutney was explode in your mouth tartness combined with the sweet maple taste of the syrup on the bottom of the plate. Had the green smoothie, and I can say I will be putting mint in my smoothies at home from now on. Delish! Boss had the jalapeno peanut butter sandwich with tempeh bacon and couldn't stop raving about the flavor combo. Prices were great, and service was really friendly!
(4)Veronica D.
My husband, 2 kiddos and I happened to come by this place when we were in the neighborhood for ArtPrize and needed somewhere for lunch. On the particular corner we were on it was a choice between this restaurant and an Asian food restaurant that didn't look like anything special. I'm so glad we tried Bartertown. Inside has an earthy diner feel. Fun mishmash of furniture and decor, glass canning jars for glasses, random silverware. Lots of small tables, but at least 2 tables in the back that seated 6 people each. We didn't know what to expect from the food, but it was DELICIOUS and the portions were very large! I tried the breakfast burrito. Holy cow- it was huge!! Jam-packed with beans and other deliciousness. We all left totally full and I would certainly go back if I were in the neighborhood again. Awesome food for vegans & vegetarians. Had a great little cooler area when you walk in with deli products (like hummus) & pastries you could purchase & take home. Nice staff. Hip consumers.
(4)Priyanka K.
One of the best restaurant around Grandrapids. Never knew vegan food can be so tasty. Totally loved it. Highly recommend to everyone who are foodie and love to try healthy food. The best was the vegan chocolate cheese cake and all the sandwiches. Totally yummmm
(5)Paul N.
I went back for a late Sunday brunch and the food was really tasty. My breakfast lasagna was nicely balanced between sweet and savory and my wife dug the Chickpea Melt sandwich she ordered. Our waitress was friendly and she was happy to engage when my wife wanted to discuss the menu and the ingredients. Bartertown is essentially an experiment - they work very hard to serve locally sourced food; they put a lot of creative energy into making vegetarian, vegan, and raw foodstuffs that have charm, whimsy, and deliciosity; they are organized as some sort of collectivistic enterprise; they are not like anything else you will find in West Michigan. I say give them a try and give them a chance. And let them know what you love and what you don't - their experiment will only succeed if we, the eating public, close the feedback loop.
(4)Peter K.
Great eats! Not only was the food good, but it was good for me, and as I found out good for the community/planet. Groovy staff as well. I knew they were a co op, but I found out all kinds of cool stuff about Bartertown from my server. Apparently they buy local, like really local, like they know and visit "their farmer" local. That's pretty cool. I could go on and on, but you've just got to try it for yourself. Also seeing a mural with Che Guevara wearing a "don't squeeze the cook's buns" apron is pretty hilarious. Oh, and if you're a real Michigander, you'll get the Michigander black bean burger that has cherries in it (it's what I got, and I probably should have mentioned that in the beginning of the review. I'm not very good at this)
(5)Walter B.
Quality veggie cuisine. I'll most certainly revisit next time I'm in town.
(4)Dave S.
Small diner. Fantastic food. Great atmosphere and awesome service and staff. Can't say enough good things about this restaurant. The chocolate cheesecake was a dish not to be missed.
(5)Vicki H.
I'm a recent vegetarian turned vegan. My husband (who is also trying vegan) went to Bartertown the other night and we had a delicious meal. We know good food, and I could tell there was skill in the kitchen. My husband had the chickpea melt and fried potatoes and I had the $2 taco (black bean and quinoa) on what looked to be a hand-made tortilla. Wonderful! The cupcakes were the best I've tasted in town. The server was sweet, helpful and a delight. Went to their cooking class tonight and learned some good hints! (Just wish we could have had a little taste of the food!) Can't wait to go back! Thank you for your great restaurant and keep up the good work!!!!
(5)Rob S.
We stopped in on a Friday evening with no preconceived ideas as to what this place is, or should, be. We had no agenda, no political statements to make, no comment on how/what/where they get or cook their food. Hell, we're not even vegetarian (mmmm, bacon...). We stopped in 'cuz One Stop Coney, our original destination, had closed a few minutes earlier and we were hungry. The place was pretty full but there were still a few spots left, so we were seated right away. The service was cheerful but slow. She was working hard but it appeared that they had one server working all of the tables. We only got a couple of small items so I cannot comment on the overall quality of the menu. The choices looked good, and the food served to the tables near us appeared to be tasty, so I'll probably stop in again sometime, although the prices looked to be a bit higher than I would expect considering the dive-esque vibe of the place. Not outrageous mind you, just a bit on the higher side. They cram a lot of tables into a small space so it was pretty loud. I did not get the feeling that they were trying to indoctrinate me with the communist manifesto, nor did I get the impression that they were being overly militant about their vegetarianism, but then again, I was just there to eat something. I don't look for hidden and/or contrary agendas everywhere I go. I will say that if you're going to call yourself a diner you should have multiple items on your menu containing various animal sourced proteins that are dripping with fat and grease. That's the diner way after all, and that is what I was hoping for when we saw the word "Diner" on the sign. I will say that this was probably the funkiest dining experience I've had in GR, but I will admit that my GR funkiness experiences are quite limited. What décor I could see from our counter seat at the front window was more ironic than anything. Think Applebee's but with some intelligence and attitude. If their choice of wall art offends your (easily offended) conservative sensibilities then I would suggest you go to Russ' (...and I like Russ', but then again, I'm a middle aged white Dutch guy...). I didn't consider what little I saw overly offensive and I didn't have to spend nearly as much time explaining any of it to my kids as I did at Menna's Joint....
(3)Lacey B.
I really like the ideas behind this restaurant! I have been here many times giving it many chances and unfortunately only can give 2 stars. One star for the ideas of farm to table and eating real food that is what this restaurant is about. And the second star, which is generous in my opinion, is for the different vegan aioli/ mayos they have. They are the only good things I have found on the menu. The food here could be great, they come up with creative stuff!! But the flavors are just not there at all!!!! They desperately need to use some salt or adjust cooking techniques to better carry out the food on the menu. I also have never experienced friendly customer service here. Nothing rude but no one has made an effort to be friendly. This place is disappointing because it seems the focus is all put into the hype of a radical restaurant concept and not actually carrying it out into the flavors and tastes of the food.
(2)Katya Z.
I love Bartertown! The food was incredible! The menu is creative and innovative, just the kind of place that was missing from the Grand Rapids food scene. Our dinner for two was well under $30. We shared the sauteed collard greens which were nice and spicy and cooked to perfection. I enjoyed the Spicey Black Bean Sweet Potato Burger and found it to be delish! My friend, from out of state, appropriately ordered the Michigander and loved every lip smacking morsel. Since we'd had a great day communing with Occupy Grand Rapids, we decided to celebrate and have a bit of dessert. Suffice it to say the cupcakes did not disappoint. As far as price, it's important to factor in the type of food being used. It's local man, and fresh. Not some boxed, canned, frozen or pre-made GMO garbage masquerading as food. This is the real deal and worth every penny. I love the art work and the whole Bartertown vibe. Our server was friendly and competently answered any and all questions. She also had a great sense of humor. I'll be going back soon, as in tomorrow morning! YUM!
(5)