Tavern On The Square
100 Ionia Ave SW, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503
Tavern On The Square Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Grand Rapids for healthy meals suggestion.
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Visit below restaurant in Grand Rapids for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
100 Ionia Ave SW
Grand Rapids, MI, 49503 - Phone (616) 456-7673
- Website https://www.tavernonthesq.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 2:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dessert
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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David M.
They have really stepped up there food game. Everything on the menu is delicious and different. Outside patio is great in the summer. Drinks can be a little pricey but that's downtown for ya.
(5)Lori D.
we had reservations at 6:15 for 14 people before the Aerosmith concert. After 1 hour and still no food we had to leave for the concert! unreal! Food is good so not sure what happened tonight????
(1)Darin D.
Throughly enjoyed my food sitting out on the front covered patio area with a couple local beers!
(4)Griff G.
If you go in after the DJ starts and you find yourself essentially not being able to walk through the bar - it sucks, so stick to the patio. Before that - good place. Good food/beer selection. Staff could be friendlier but not surprised at a place like this with all the craziness some nights. Weekdays are nice to pop in for happy hour / sandwich when it is pretty empty. Definitely a great place to start your night - just don't find yourself there at close.
(3)Madison A.
This spot is only getting 3 stars for a few reasons. Let's start with the things I loved! I loved the casual vibe, great drink/beer selection and I love the location! Just down teh street from some of my favorite downtown Grand Rapids bars, this was something new and exciting. We met up with about 10 friends and had a blast, as well as great service considering the size of our group. A few things that were disappointing included the mediocre food and the fact that they would not take a reservation for our group of 12. When we showed up at 7pm on a Saturday night the place was nearly empty so we ended up not needing one, but the phone-service gal could use some some coaching on her customer service. I had the beet salad and was really looking for more beets! The sweet potato chips, however, were delicious and I wanted to order more. I would come back for sure!
(3)Jessica F.
I've been here a handful of times while downtown for a night or two and it's definitely a blast every time I stop by. Love the big outdoor covered patio with the fireplace, very nice and cozy. I've been here while they have DJ's and dancing and it's fun, but the dance floor is extremely small. I feel like if they are going to have dancing and a DJ they should probably expand the dance floor. They do generally have a pretty good happy hour, with a full bar. I've only gotten the chance to eat here once. When I did it was for a late lunch after a long night of drinks the night before, so I was in need of some greasy, yet fresh food. I decided on getting the Fish tacos. They were pretty good, I have had better from a food truck though. But they had just they right amount of sauce, and cabbage. The fish was lightly grilled to perfection. Me personally I think the restaurant/bar is a great place to meet up before a fun night on the town for a dinner and a few starter drinks.
(4)Derrick V.
This is not the ideal go to place in my eyes. I went on a Saturday afternoon and did not receive good service. I sat outside with my group and really did like the front area especially since it was a nice sunny day. The server spent most of the time sitting next to what appeared to be her boyfriend. She was pretty slow and did not really seem to care about her position which was unfortunate. The food was okay and the drinks were okay as well. There was nothing that really stood out about this place. I usually think of another place to go to before resorting to this location. It is unfortunate because I believe that this place has potential to be appealing.
(2)Timothy B.
Went here with friends on a Friday night. I should have known better when, upon entry, the bouncer/doorman said, "Have an amazing night, bud" like I was a teenager heading to a raging party and it seemed like they were trying too hard to be hip. It was loud and full of drunks. It was challenging to get past the front door because people congregate by the bar. The bartenders were clearly trolling for tips based on what they were wearing. To get to the tables you end up having to walk through the dance floor, where people are very liberal, especially to people just passing through. The food and drinks are expensive. It's the kind of place where someone orders a mixed drink and then finds out it was $10-$15. What's comical is that they are only a few blocks from Founders, yet they way overprice the Founders beer. Service was great until I paid for my beer in cash. He didn't give me exact change back citing that he rounds down to the nearest dollar. Sayyyyyyyyy what? Later, I got into an argument with him when he brought out the bills for the table a few hours later and tried to bill me again for the beer. I brought up his rounding policy to set him straight that I had, in fact, already paid my bill. Ridiculous. Overall, while I enjoyed socializing with my friends, I won't return here and cannot, in good conscience, recommend it to anyone.
(1)Jake D.
Torn feelings about this place. On one hand it's close to my Apartment and a good happy hour. On the other hand, I get annoyed by the lack of basic serving skills nearly all their employees seem to lack. My number one pet peeve when I am at to eat/drink is the bartenders/servers broadcasting their personnel lives as if everyone around them cares and wants to hear...trust me we don't care that you got trashed a woodys bar this past weekend and can't remember anything! I come to enjoy myself and whomever I am with! Not to listen to you talk about yourself and take shots with fellow co workers. So unprofessional!!
(2)Kenjamin S.
This place is starting to grow on me. They have an excellent monday deal, 1$ off taps and 7$ any sandwich and it comes with their yummy sweet potato chips! Also the bartender/manager who is usually there is a very friendly guy and pours a delicious cocktail! (ask him about his rootbeer shot concoction) Dance floor is kind of small, but its not really a club so I understand. They have a nice patio area which is kind of outside but covered. Sometimes the place is crazy insane busy even charging a cover sometimes, which depending on my mood the amount of people won't bother me, but cover always is lame. All in all a pretty good place to go have a few drinks and a quick meal.
(4)Timothy M.
Usually, when presented with a situation where the floor service was lacking, (like we didn't get any service), I would turn to the service bar as an outlet to connect with the staff, get some drinks, and get our service rolling. Well, there was a couple douche bags who just finished a round of golf standing there. After ten minutes and no service we left. This one bad experience, with all the options downtown, mean that we will never try again or come back. Dueces!
(1)Crystina S.
Not a bad place. Staff is very nice and attentive. Food is pretty good. Definitely have had better but nice environment. Not to noisy. Price is decent per person. Had the fish tacos that were just okay. Hard shell taco with fried cod, guacamole, and coleslaw. Decent portions...not like more American restaurants.
(3)Mark G.
Can I give them negative stars? The food and beer is overpriced and the music is really nasty (kind of douchey pop). I was livid due to the cover charge that I had to pay on a Friday night; only men pay to get in. I have complained to the civil rights division in Michigan; this is illegal according to the law when it comes to public accommodations such as bars or restaurants in MI. I hope I set a precedent by making them back down and charge everyone to get in, or no one.
(1)Laura K.
My husband and I came in late night to meet some friends. The server was blonde, shorter, with a very raspy voice and she was awful. She was very sloppy and appeared to be drunk. We also witnessed the other staff members taking shots and drinking on the job. Poor place to go to late night if you want good service let alone sober service.
(1)Leslie S.
We ended up here after the waitress at HopCat told us it was dog friendly (HopCat no longer is). We were seated on the covered porch with our dog. I had the roast beef dip and my husband had the BLT. Both were good, but nothing mind blowing. My husband appreciated the vast beer selection and the dog appreciated the bowl of water they brought for him. My one ding is that the fruit I ordered as a side clearly came out of a can - overly sweet, mushy and gross. Seems like in the middle of summer, in Michigan, you could find some fresh fruit.
(4)Denny R.
I miss Black Rose and it's far superior menu. The atmosphere and the beer are great, but the menu is abysmal.
(1)Amanda L.
The motto of this restaurant must be 'Work all day; Party all night'. It's a decent place for lunch and dinners. The vibe is business casual at those times. Its a good choice for a downtown happy hour with allot of office types stopping in. The menu is reasonably priced, and while there isn't anything memorable about about the food, you will leave satisfied. But at night, and especially the weekends, it turns into a college-y, drunkfest when they move the tables to make a dance floor and pack everyone in around the bar area. If you are here at the right time for what you want to do, you'll be ok. So, If you like to get wasted on bombs and shots, then come here at night and you'll love it. If you want to get a quick dinner before going to Van Andel or you are on a business lunch, you'll be satisfied.
(3)John M.
I wouldn't recommend it as a traditional go to dinner and eat place as service is a little slow and there are so many great restaurants nearby. However, their happy hour has half off appetizers and the portions are generous and it runs until 7.
(4)Susie S.
This place earns its stars because it's a decent ambiance, food is better than average bar food, and a great draft beer selection. But today I had the absolute worst service I ever experienced. My server was too busy taking shots with and flirting with another table that not only did it take almost an hour to get my bill, but she first gave it to me and charged me too much for my beer, so I handed it to her with my credit card and asked her to adjust it. 15 minutes later she came back and gave me the same incorrect bill - no credit card. I then followed her to see if she could find it, and another server handed it to her just saying "it was in the back." I'm very private about my credit card being flung around so this was frustrating. She then proceeded to ask me what I ordered for the third time, adding a bunch of stuff into my tab. Needless to say, it was the first time I've never left a tip.
(2)Thomas D.
My girlfriend and I were looking to try somewhere new and we stumbled upon this Tavern. The service we received was extremely good and the environment is really nice as well. The only negative we saw pertained to the food we ate (Salmon Pecan Salad and the California Club). It wasn't bad but it certainly wasn't anything special. They did, however, have a nice selection of beer.
(3)Neal E.
We tried to get lunch after going to the Titanic exhibit at the GR Museum. Lots of places were closed. Working our way down Ionia we found Tavern on the Square (we had been to Hopcat the day before). Seemed like a decent bar menu and a good selection of beers. The bartender had few tables and a couple patrons at the bar. Well, the bar patrons must have been friends because he paid attention only to them. It was as if he had short term memory problems - "Can we have an extra plate?" "Sure" and he was off straight to the bar and forgot about our request. Same with a request for some extra dip and napkins. We think the bartender was doing shots with the patrons, too! The floors were quite dirty and the food was nothing to write home about. Next time we will wait in line for Hopcat or Founders.
(1)Ben O.
Came in with my wife for lunch on Sunday afternoon to watch the World Cup and sat at the bar 06/15. Bartender was present but seemed unhappy to be there. There was a strong smell of pesticide. The waitresses and Bartender at the service bar were relentlessly complaining/ making fun of their customers and other staff members the entire time. Altogether an unpleasant experience. We left and it is unlikely we will be back.
(1)Marcel G.
Great place to grab quality drinks, good food, and of course great laughs. Atmosphere is eclectic on the weekends! A must!
(4)Ron C.
It was 18 degrees out & we were looking for something close to the Van Andel Arena. I ordered a nice little bowl of beef barley soup which was Loaded with several pieces of super tender beef. My Bride ordered a Mushroom/Chicken Quesadilla which was grilled to perfection . We had to servers KT and a gal in training... A+
(4)Jordyn H.
Food was good. Service was terrible, even at the bar. Service was slow and they never asked how the food was. Also failed to clear dirty dishes. Apps and meals came out at the same time.
(2)Christine P.
After spending over 2 hours here waiting for good that was pretty average at best, I wish that was the worst of the dining experience here. The service was terrible, even after speaking with the manager. Our table of 3 kids and 2 adults waited at least 10 minutes before our server showed up. Our drinks came quite done time after that. We ordered our food then the wait began. After over an hour wait one kids food came out. He was finishing up before the rest of the table began eating. The place was not the least bit busy, even though it was Sunday afternoon the first weekend if ArtPrize. We had to get our silverware from the manager, it took forever to get the check and then have the plastic brought back. As we walked past later in the day we saw a server slumped over the outside front railing picking her fingernails - not the greatest impression of the place, but very telling of the dysfunctional atmosphere waiting within. Never go there!!!
(1)Clint M.
First off, the entire floor is sticky! We walked to different sections of the restaurant to find a good table and the floor was so sticky it almost took one of my shoes off my feet. The ambiance is hard to figure out. The decor is a little more upscale than most GR bars and the speakers blare electronica both inside and out. All the TV's had Professional Bull Riding on and the patrons at the bar were so drunk and obnoxious that our waitress apologized twice for their behavior. One guy (apparently an employee from the other bar they own...The Woods) was so drunk he fell off his seat and just layed on the floor until some other patrons came over and picked him up off the floor. Appetizers were OK...don't get the quesadilla if you like quesadillas. They make them with black beans and a little bit of bland cheese. Their version of the Grandwich is decent. Drinks are filled to the brim with ice before they put any soda in so you get about 4 or 5 sips and your glass is empty and need to get a refill. Service is average...nothing special.
(2)John H.
Have been out on the porch twice. It's comfortable and warm even on chilly nights thanks to the fireplace and heaters. The location is also a plus, close to galleries and VanAndel Arena. Food has also been fine; I like the concept of the small plates to share for a meal, and the entrees we tried were tasty. And no complaints on the drinks, either.
(4)Sarah T.
Just to let all other Yelpers know, I have given this several chances, and I will continue to go back - but really only for drinks and apps. They have good happy hour specials. Most notably, I will detail two recent occasions. First, my husband and I went to dinner one evening here. It was before the symphony, so we where on a bit of time schedule. We let the waitress know and proceed to order the Ahi Tuna. When it arrived - it was the incorrect Ahi Tuna. Apparently there are two different Ahi Tuna dishes on the menu. Bah. They corrected the mistake, but of course we had to leave and get our food to go...as we needed to get to the concert. First Strike. Then, I went back...this time to lunch. I got the soup/salad combo. The salad I ordered included beets - which where rancid. Overall - an "OK" place. I like the Downtown Lansing, Mi Tavern on the Square much better.
(2)Brian L.
As a former restaurant owner from the Chicago area, I've been to and dined at some great places. I have extremely high standards and expect a lot! Tavern on The Square does have a decent beer selection and they are reasonably priced, especially if you go during happy hour. The outdoor patio is nice (heated and fireplace). Beyond that, I'm not a huge fan. The food is overpriced for what you get. I have dined there three times now at different times of the day just to see if it was an "off day" for the kitchen. Portions are small and nothing special about the dishes. If you are there to have just a drink, getting a burger can be quite pricey. It's basically over-priced pub food. Service is generally pretty slow and don't know about the menu or specials. They haven't been very knowledgeable. I asked about a couple menu items in which they couldn't describe. Additionally, there was(is) running a week-day lunch special for groups of four or more people. I told the server about the ad which is advertised in several of the local newspapers, but they insisted that I had the wrong place. I told the server to check with the manager and when the bill came, I saw the discount was added! Unless someone insists on going there for some reason, I won't be back. UPDATE: Have been back one time for lunch because a group decided to go here. The $3 menu is okay.
(2)Al M.
Things started off okay, but but went downhill after I was done eating. I was there with friends and things went okay for them. But, I waited forever for an iced tea and later had to remind the bartender who was too busy to notice. When it came time for the bill, she gave me a bill with an extra charge on it. I told her about it and then she set somebody's credit card in front of me with a bill. OMG!!! If I were so inclined, I could have stolen that card so easily! Luckily, the card holder noticed after a minute, since it was impossible to get the attention of a bartender. Later, I was given a bill for the correct amount, but with the wrong items on it. I just wanted to get out of there. I won't be back.
(1)Jeremy J.
When you get a nice day in Southwestern Michigan, it's tough to sit indoors all day. So I cash in some vacation time and spend the afternoon wandering the streets of Grand Rapids, grabbing a quick lunch on the patio at HopCat, then perusing the aisles at Schuler's Bookstore, before enjoying a libation in the warm sunshine. As luck would have it, Juliet also manages to free up the afternoon and she joins me for some Friday refreshment. As it nears dinnertime, we begin to contemplate heading back home when it stikes us: why? We have so many fine eateries within a walk away. Why not seek out adventure instead of leftovers? So we find ourselves strolling hand-in-hand to the new Tavern on the Square. (I had popped into Tavern with a buddy not long ago, and was pretty impressed with the menu. As a matter of fact, it was one of the few times I purposely ordered seafood and enjoyed it immensely. Juliet was not amused when I told her this, of course. She wants to be front and center when I try seafood.) As we near the entrance, our hearts sink a bit because there are at least two other parties waiting at the hostess stand ahead of us. Is it so popular? Evidently, as other diners talk, drink and eat on the heated patio. Inside, a mild roar emanates from other patrons. We are greeted warmly by the hostess who says, "It'll be about 15 minutes." Fair enough. After giving our name, she tells us she'll find us and we are left to wander inside. We make the mistake of peeking out at the side patio, which is playing loud country music and only offering Bud or Bud Light from two tapped coolers. What the heck is going on here? We shrink back inside and find two bar stools to await our fate. Sure enough, the hostess finds us only minutes later. "Your table is ready," she say and leads us back out to the front patio. I am worried the twilight air will be too cool but the overhead heaters fend off the spring chill with no problem. Country music is playing here as well, and we find out (much to our horror) that Carrie Underwood is performing downtown tonight. Savvy, the restaurant is catering to the pre-concert attendees. Even better, as soon as the concert time approaches, the country music goes bye-bye. Even before we know what we'd like to drink, we ask our waitress for an appetizer called Pan Fried Deviled Eggs. Three halves (only three!?!) arrive on a lettuce leaf, looking like normal deviled eggs but with a spackling of some sort of crust and a crown of olive tepenade atop each. I take a bite. The crust is crispy, sweet and complements the salty olives perfectly. I am reminded of the Scottish Eggs I love so much at Graydon's Crossing, but these are lighter (no sausage, of course) and playfully contrast the savory with the sweet. Too soon, our app is gone. It goes without saying (to our regular readers, anyway) that I enjoy trying new things especially if those things are a bit unusual. On the menu, there is one unusual dish that jumps out at me: Seared PBJ Tuna. I know, I know...I don't eat seafood, right? True, but there are two factors working against this theory: (1) the fish tacos I had on my previous visit were amazing, and (2) tuna that might taste like peanut butter and jelly sounds right up my alley. So I have little choice but to order it, despite my nearly lifelong aversion to fellow fish (I am Pisces). It's enough to turn me cannibal. So pink it might be called almost raw, the tuna steak wobbles unsteadily amid sweet potato chips. Gritty lumps of cashew butter and mango jam sit to the side. I immediately carve into the fish before my courage departs, mix the butter and the jam, and fork it into my mouth. Shazam! No fishy taste at all, and the tuna practically melts onto my tongue, swimming with cashew and mango... Holy cow, it tastes just like peanut butter and jelly! Joyously, I continue devouring my once-gilled brethren, munching on the sweet potato crisps for added texture. Only towards the end, when the steak has cooled somewhat does the squishy raw tuna bother me slightly. No matter; I would order it again and maybe just eat more quickly. Juliet offers me a tasty bite of her fish tacos, and they are as good as I remember. Hey, look at me! I like fish! Finally, eschewing dessert, we order a big bowl of those sweet potato chips coated with cinnamon and sugar with a honey-almond yogurt dipping sauce. Who needs creme brulee? Although our meal was unplanned, we both thoroughly enjoy the food and the atmosphere. Country music aside, Tavern on the Square, sits on a corner that is generally quiet without the usual rabble of drunken revellers you might find up the street at McFadden's. And while the menu is somewhat small, the variance of each dish more than makes up for it. We'll be coming here again.
(4)Jody M.
Love this place! Took a group of my friends there this weekend that had never been and they loved it too! Great Ambiance, great food and even better drinks! Good selection of music playing all night. You can dine inside or on the enclosed patio by the fire. Definitely a must do for those who have not been before!
(4)Joel G.
Went here to grab a drink or two. The waitress was friendly. It was nice they had an outside area to drink. The location was nice because it was close to a lot of other places. The drinks were good and quite affordable. We had some beers, martinis and the bloody mary bar. Everything was great. They even checked to see if the cook would throw on some food after they had closed the kitchen. They didn't, but it was nice they took the effort to ask for us. We'd go back for sure.
(4)Mike L.
I had an opportunity to be introduced to this restaurant because I had a Sunday evening dinner/birthday party for my grown son. His girlfriend suggested it to me and I am glad she did! I confess that I did not have a full meal, but I tasted a couple that others ordered. We did have a group of about a dozen and I think that I tasted every one of their appetizers. They have some great craft beers. eclectic food selections and wonderful service. I am anxious to return for a full sit-down event and a real test of their cuisine. There are several menu items that I am dying to taste. This is in the same space as the former Black Rose and it has a very warm feel and it seems to be an up-and-comer on the local scene. I came for the venue, loved the service and will be back again to go way beyond the appetizers.
(4)Jen B.
I thought service sucked when this place was Black Rose, but at least Black Rose was still fun. Service was pretty slow, and none of us were impressed with the menu. We were there on a Saturday night with a group of 6, and our (simple - mostly beer) drinks took so long, we asked to cash out as soon as they arrived hoping we'd get checks before the drinks were finished. Moved along to MyBar and had much better experience.
(2)Audra K.
We had a group of 12+ people sitting together on the front porch for happy hour. This is a prime spot to sit in the sun. So nice! They have a good list of beers. Our servers were on the mark, keeping drinks and food on the table. At the end, splitting the bill for each person wasn't a problem either.
(4)Joseph R.
This place sucks... I miss the Black Rose! The Black Rose had a bit of soul to it... This place just feels bland and generic. Not a fan.
(2)edward k.
Tiny menu, but good quality food. I found the servers to be attentive....including one of the hottest female bartenders on the planet, named Devyn. Looking at her is worth the trip alone.
(4)