Got the runs after about 4 hours of eating the food. Felt like my ass was on fire . It wrnt in and it came out
(1)
Mike K.
My wife and I stopped in for lunch yesterday and were pleasantly surprised. We were greeted immediately upon entering and seated at a table for two on the river side of the room. We were in the mood for fish so I had the whitefish and my wife ordered the walleye. A wide variety of salad dressings were offered and our salads were perfect. They also had a very complete fresh salad bar which we could have upgraded to for $4. Our fish dinners were lightly breaded and deep fried and tasted good. I had asked for broiled or blackened but the friendly young waitress said it was not available for lunch. Standard french fries came with the fish but it would have been good to have an alternative starch and a side dish, but it was lunch after all. Oh yes, the bread was a cinnamon roll - really a dinner roll rolled in cinnamon and sugar. We took one bite and pronounced it so good, we saved it and took it home for breakfast the next day. Service was just right, food fine, pleasant atmosphere, good value, we would return again.
(4)
Jemmie W.
Some of the best smelt and walleye I have had anywhere. Lightly battered as opposed to the "here's something the size of a frickin' banana with a smelt somewhere inside" that you find at some other places. The batter is supposed to add some flavor and not supposed to be *the* meal. A good place to drop by on your stroll thru downtown Leland and Fishtown. If nothing else, stop in and have the smelt basket.
(5)
Brett H.
Excellent food. A little pricey. Very good salad bar. Very good service.
(4)
Jenny z.
This place has been around forever and has been owned by the same family since it opened in 1923. It's the kind of place that, when I was a kid, we'd head to for a dress up dinner with our grandparents. It sits directly on the river, affording very pretty views if you can get one of those tables - I highly recommend that you make reservations ahead of time, especially in the summer. Far more casual now, jeans and such okay, but still an old favorite and a must-visit when in Leelanau County. Steaks, lamb, chicken, etc. are all fairly good, but what people really come here for is the Whitefish. They prepare it a number of ways, but I've found that the more simple preparations are best - I generally stick with the broiled whitefish at this point, but the breaded is very good as well. Very flaky, delicate and fresh - I highly recommend it. In the winter they offer "Ethnic Nights," check their website for themses/dates. Sides and veggies are fairly standard , soups are quite good, attractive and fresh salad bar is available with entrees for a few dollars more or as a standalone. I don't get a appetizers very often here as they have generous servings, but the whitefish spread is really quite good. Good cinnamon rolls. Very, very excellent wine list!!!!! Quality seems to have declined just a bit over the years, but the staff is always great and the food (especially the Whitefish) is solid overall. I would give it 3 stars for the food and one star for the great views. A good place to come with the family.
(4)
Mark W.
I can't say much about the dinners as our family always comes for the Sunday brunch during our annual Leelanau visits. Fantastic! Make reservations well in advance.
(4)
Erin D.
Ate on the patio a few years ago and decided to come back while in Leland. It was a rainy Monday around 2. We were awkwardly told by the host that they couldn't seat anyone else bc the servers where overwhelmed. (It didn't appear that busy). He recommended we check out "the tavern" in the same building. As we consulted our phones for an alternative, we watched him do the same to a family with 2 adults, 2 kids. But then 1 min later seated party of 3 older adults. So are you too busy or not?!? Sorry, you lost your chance. Won't return.
(1)
Susan C.
Don't bother. After waiting 30+ minutes for food while others were served we got food. Not sure why a place in Fishtown with a fresh fish market serves frozen fish for their fish and chips. Burger is not seasoned. Not impressed with management when we asked about the wait for food.
(1)
Thomas Y.
Not as good as they used to be. Hostess service was ridiculous, We walked in early of a Friday afternoon about 5pm, few people in the dining room, the hostess asked if we had reservations, when we said no she said "well I'll have to see if I can find you something", this in an almost empty dining room. We stood for 10 minutes before she found us a table. Waitress was pleasant , but service was slow. Food, I had the white fish was just okay. They need to improve their game.
(3)
Thad H.
Get ready for throw back dining. The menu, salad bar and decor scream 1983. The food was solid, wine list was ok, it's just missing something for a $50 a person meal. The staff was a bit tired, but very friendly. The carpet is worn but clean, the ceiling tiles have yellowed but no cob webs. I was first surprised to see the place mostly empty on a Saturday night, given its reputation. Soon after it all made sense. I will be back after the renaissance that hopefully is coming sooner than later.
(3)
Julie P.
Beautiful fall day in October with temps in the 70's and as were were out taking photos of the spectacular fall colors on the penninsula we stopped in Leland. Chose the Bluebird Restaurant to grab a bite and were we glad we did. Our server was awesome as well as our lunch!
(5)
Annie D.
Beer? Amazing, local, and fresh. Food? Expertly designed to your taste. I'm a vegan and they made a To Die For vegan pizza sans cheese. I would definitely be back. Great place to go after coming off the island. The tavern is great! Kiley is a great server and serves up a mean fish and chips.
(5)
Lisa N.
Passing through on vacation, and stopped at Bluebird for early supper. First impression not pleasant. Building smelled "old" and looked it. I would guess decor not updated for decades. Carpet in especially poor condition, with many stains obvious to casual observer. Glad we looked past this, though, and gave it a chance. Service was friendly and food good, although pricy for the surroundings.
(3)
Marylou P.
terrible don't stop worst hamburger and fries every .meat was raw fries was refried over from someone left over service socks had to ask for more coffee and didn't even get order right
(1)
Lori S.
The smelt was good, and they did prepare my clams and fried extra crispy like I requested but they were just frozen clams, not hand battered. Nothing special.
(2)
Brian B.
This is the best spot in town hands down. I've been going here as long as I can remember. Get the whitefish Bluebird style. It can't be beat. Always have great service too.
(5)
Jeff M.
Wife and i stopped here for lunch. She had a soup and salad (she said both were excellent). I had special of the day...whitefish tacos. Tacos were superb with locally sourced whitefish. Came with a side of chips. Wait staff was courteous and professional. Prices were reasonable. Total ticket was $26 after tax and before tip. Would highly recommend this place when hungry in Leland.
(5)
John O.
If you're thinking about stopping in here for a bite to eat. In a word - don't. Obviously the management (owner?) "Skip" reads and responds to reviews and apparently just continues to apologize for poor experiences instead of actually addressing and fixing the problems. We found it interesting that in one week of Western Michigan vacationing we had both the best (Everyday People Cafe, Douglas/Saugatuck) and worst (this place) dining experience in quite some time. We opted for the more casual "tavern" side dining since we had on shorts and it seemed more casual. You can order off either menu if seated on the tavern side. We were promptly seated at an afterthought of a table. A 2 top jammed between larger tables against a wall. The hostess said our server was extremely busy but would eventually get to us and poured our water. The harried young man (maybe Alex?) stopped long enough to take our order. I tried the whitefish ("Bluebird" style - $18) and my wife ordered chicken from the dining room menu. Both were completely underwhelming - actually pathetic. Hers came with a salad bar which was circa 1995 and mine a side salad that was equally nondescript. The fish was bland and a fairly small portion, served with fries that were not as good as the Wendy's fries I had the day before. Her chicken served "airline"style tasted and looked exactly like an airline meal with a paltry side of basically Minute Rice - $24! Seriously? You should be ashamed. My wife then pointed out that right next to us at eye level was a chair rail that was covered with dead bugs. Check it out Skip. Nasty. I guess when you have a fairly captive audience you can get by with sub-par food and awful service? My wife actually got up and said "I'm done, find me down the street after you pay the bill." I left thinking "wow, just think how crazy successful you could be here with a restaurant in a great location in a busy tourist town if you served great food with great service".
(1)
Dean K.
I am giving a single star because the food that we ordered and the salad bar were both good. However, the service was miserable from start to finish. If this was the servers first time serving, he should've been trailing someone. He was totally clueless and could not remember to bring bread or water or butter. Nobody got a refill on the water the entire meal to the point that people were pouring their water into other peoples glasses. Our requests for more water were acknowledged and then ignored. He sat there with a stack of tartar sauce on his tray and made each of us raise our hand if we wanted some. The cold bottle of white wine was put down in the center of the table without a sleeve or coaster so that It could just sweat all over everything. When we asked for something to place under it he knew exactly what we were talking about. He just chose to make us ask for it. One of the guests was about halfway through his meal and actually in the process of cutting it when the server came over and loudly said "does anybody want dessert." The place wasn't even crowded and he couldn't wait to move things along. He gave the wrong food to almost everybody and at the end of the night people got the wrong checks. I do not have the patience to relive it and I doubt anyone has the time to read an explanation of everything that went wrong. But if it could it did. I would recommend going to any restaurant other than Bluebird, even if you have to travel to Suttons Bay or Traverse City. Avoid this overrated trap at all costs.
(1)
Meredith E.
The pizza in the bar side is very delicious and something I get quite often. The whitefish that they serve is some of my dad's favorite and he thinks that they serve it the best in the area. The burgers here are pretty good and the grilled cheese is also quite good. Service is also very helpful and nice. It is also very efficient. I like that you can order from the dining room in the bar, but I wish that it went the other way too because I do not like many of the items on their dining room menu so I never can sit in there and enjoy the view.
(4)
Dan H.
I told my nephew that I needed two things when I arrived in Michigan. Walleye and smelt. He frequents this place several times every summer as he has a boat nearby, and swore this would be thee place for local smelt. I now concur. Michigan smelt when fried up are about the size of a thick French fry. This was a huge plateful of perfectly fried, lightly battered wonderfulness. I crave these little delicacies on occasion, but Musso and Frank in Hollywood is the only place I know of in SoCal that always have them on the menu. Give me a shout if you know of any OC restos that carry them. Service here, at least by our fresh face server was, shall we say, summer job amateurish. When I asked her about the "whitefish", and specifically what fish it was she flipped to her notes and started to read, " a flaky mild...." I bailed the poor girl out and just ordered up the smelt. She giggled and apologized as she stated she doesn't really like or eat fish. "Kind of weird, to be working in a fish place huh?" I guess I nodded and she giggled again, "not many other options in this little town." Well fish restaurant management is one option she may want to cross off her future career options. She was attentive at least, cute, and funny as well. Apparently this is a locals favorite as well as a tourist hot-spot. Very busy on Memorial Weekend Sunday with lots of families. There is a fairly large bar in the center of the main dining room, so maybe it gets rowdy later with less kids. My nephew and his wife both ordered the chicken gumbo that was on the specials board and raved several times how delish it was. So look to the specials board for some additional tasty items. For me it was all about the smelt. I just need to find a source closer to home.
(4)
Renee D.
We had a last minute New Year's Eve dinner here and were extremely pleased with the quality of food and service. My husband and I both had parmesan crusted white fish which was really good. Out 10 year old foodie son, Max, ordered the rack of lamb - here's his review: the lamb was cooked to perfection and the quality of meat was very fresh but the thing that really threw me off was the seasoning, the seasoning its self was great but it was only on the very edge, so for next time I would highly recommend spreading the seasoning all round.
This is a nice relaxed atmosphere with some great food.good prices for happy hour drinks.
(4)
Dan C.
Satisfying burger after a stint on South Manitou. We were looking for a casual, fairly priced place to grab some food after a long weekend of camping and were told Bluebird was a good bet. We ate at a booth in the bar, so we missed the river views but that wasn't really a big concern to us. The waitress lived in the same hall as one of my friends at school, and she was very pleasant. The atmosphere was like a nautical tavern, but still very mid-western. The burger was huge but they charged an extra 50 cents for tomato without any warning which in the grand scheme of things is not a big deal, but some warning would have been nice. They also provide a very small amount of fries (also an optional extra). Overall it was a solid experience and I have no major complaints; however, I will probably look for a different option next time I'm in Leland.
(3)
Robert H.
The Bluebird is a Leelanau institution. The Great Whitefish Superpower. Like many people, I visit anytime I am in the area. They have a large dining room with a long row of windows overlooking the river. There is also a bar/tavern area. They serve local wines and dreamy cinnamon rolls. I always get the broiled whitefish, which is served simply with salad and side. The fish tastes fresh and light and melts in your mouth. This place is a must if you are in the area.
(4)
Ernie M.
We started with the smoked salmon appetizer----delicious, the crackers that they use are special. I had the bluegill special for the day and it was outstanding. My wife had the whitefish and also said in was great. Service was perfect. The setting for this place in Leland, Michigan is special with an historic village half a block away. The view from the windows are beautiful.
(4)
Julie A.
Meh. Atmosphere old dark supper clubby. We did get a table near the window with a view of the river. That was nice. The menu is uninspired. If you like fried fish and prime rib you are fine. My husband and I got the salad bar and split a pasta dish. Over priced, small portions, weak drinks. Nothing special here. Others at the table got the walleye and felt it was over battered. Others ordered prime rib and enjoyed it.
(2)
Bryan K.
Whitefish is way over rated and was priced at $14.00 it came with below agerage house salad... fries or potatoes are 2.50 extra for just a small handfull. Would it been served with just a piece of fish if not order? We wont even adress the decor with all the free beer mirrors from the their distributors. Dont get me wrong I love a good dive bar but not when its messing around with my food.
(1)
Daniel C.
Best northern Michigan experience yet!
(5)
Bex G.
Basic sandwiches but the patio allows dogs and it overlooks the river.
(4)
Greg T.
This place is overrated. The whitefish we had was not fresh. Plates were not provided for our appetizer and one entree was not served complete. Not worth the money in my opinion.
(2)
Howard N.
This place used to be terrific. For some reason the bar has always been better than the dining room. The perch was incredibly overdone as was the smelt. The wine was old and not correctly stored nor was it served at the right temperature. Hopefully, they will return to their old glory days.
(3)
Tim S.
Always a stop on the way back from the Island when delivering the Boat. Good food and a nice atmosphere. The staff is always quick with a recommendation if you are not sure.
(4)
Linda G.
I've been going up to Leland my whole life ... My parents met at "The Bird". She was waitressing (while taking art classes at the Old Art building during college) circa 1957. Mom served Dad a hamburger that resulted in me & my sisters (a few years later). The Blue Bird must be on their 5th generation of the Telegard family by now -- since it has been in business since the 1920's. If I feel spendy, we eat in the dining room: Lake Michigan Whitefish $19. or Lake Michigan Perch $21. If I am feeling frugal then it's Burgers in the Bar - where I always bump into some member of the Family.
(4)
Patrick D.
I'm definitely a fan of Bluebird. It's always part of David and my vacation to Michigan. The food is quite good, the whitefish Bluebird style is a standout. The salad bar is good. The view is terrific. Be SURE to request a window seat. Service is friendly, good, not great, but hey it's a restaurant that is in an area that is very slow during the winter VERY busy during the summer. Dressy casual and comfortable. Skip the t-shirt, upgrade to a polo shirt!! Slacks, not jeans, though they won't throw you out. Nice shorts are OK. Relax and enjoy a nice dinner. Share with friends and you'll have a lovely evening. Not the least expensive restaurant in the area, not the most, but considering everything a GREAT value. Family friendly. Gay friendly.
(4)
Mike M.
If it weren't for the view, I'd never......... The view would be a lot nicer if they elevated the awning a few feet higher. there must be a lot of short people that frequent this place.
(4)
Ryan Z.
The Bluebird was billed as a classic Leland establishment, and I think they rest mostly on these laurels to keep guests coming. To its credit, the view of the Leland River from the windows was great, so make sure to request a window seat for a view of the Leland river. But aside from its historical charm, the Bluebird was somewhat of a let down, especially for the price. Atmosphere: 2 stars Even though the fish was solid, something about the indoor atmosphere just wasn't right. Perhaps it was the worn out carpet or the Ruby Tuesday's style salad bar with iceberg lettuce, but it just felt like somewhere you go for dinner with your grandparents (in all honesty, I was there with my grandparents). Food: 3.5 stars That said, the local fish offerings were still good. The Walleye Oscar was particularly tasty. The Fresh Lake Michigan Whitefish was also solid, although the blackened version of this was served a bit too charred. In general, this is a quality spot to pick up some Lake Michigan fish. Service: Very nice waitress, but the hostess was quite pushy about making our party take its seats while one person was in the bathroom even though there were empty tables and no line. She also yelled at people later for standing in the wrong spot in the salad bar line. Reminded me of the middle-school lunch cafeteria all over again.
(3)
Katherine C.
Really great food and a nice atmosphere. Looks over the Leland River. Fantastic White fish. Make reservations (in the summer),cinnamon rolls are an extra treat. Good service.:) Family owned since 1923. Walk the town after to work off your dinner.
(4)
susanna f.
We were very excited to try out this popular restaurant and were VERY disappointed! We deemed it an "upscale Denny's". Overpriced for the quality. Our waiter was so awkward. They had a salad bar which didn't fit into the "upscale" appearance. VERY LITTLE servings, and not in a good/gourmet way. As we left, we saw what seemed like a GREAT restaurant on the lake up the street... wish we had chosen better!
(1)
Bob B.
The food is fine - my wife had the whitefish and I had the perch. The restaurant is physically loveley, with nice views and friendly service. The salad bar is ordinary. But it gets 3 stars from me instead of 4 because the prices are so obviously too high. I had a generous portion of perch with nicely cooked green beans and the salad bar that in Chicago might cost $18, and that should cost $15 at the Bluebird - $21 is unreasonable. Their online menu says $19 - don't believe it.
(3)
E L.
A neighbor friend recommended Bluebird to us as a stop on our trip to North Manitou Island. Enjoyed their brunch buffet on Sunday. Ate around noon in a party of 3. was kinda late for brunch but all the dishes were well stocked and fresh. buffet items were immense especially their dessert selection: numerous pies, cakes, fresh fruits, pastries... Atmosphere was nice. waiters and wateriness were clean and polite. view of the river from every table. weird observation. but important - all their tableware was very clean (and warm, been just machine washed).
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Specialities
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 : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Good For Dancing : No Alcohol : Full Bar Happy Hour : Yes Coat Check : No Smoking : No Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Scott M.
Got the runs after about 4 hours of eating the food. Felt like my ass was on fire . It wrnt in and it came out
(1)Mike K.
My wife and I stopped in for lunch yesterday and were pleasantly surprised. We were greeted immediately upon entering and seated at a table for two on the river side of the room. We were in the mood for fish so I had the whitefish and my wife ordered the walleye. A wide variety of salad dressings were offered and our salads were perfect. They also had a very complete fresh salad bar which we could have upgraded to for $4. Our fish dinners were lightly breaded and deep fried and tasted good. I had asked for broiled or blackened but the friendly young waitress said it was not available for lunch. Standard french fries came with the fish but it would have been good to have an alternative starch and a side dish, but it was lunch after all. Oh yes, the bread was a cinnamon roll - really a dinner roll rolled in cinnamon and sugar. We took one bite and pronounced it so good, we saved it and took it home for breakfast the next day. Service was just right, food fine, pleasant atmosphere, good value, we would return again.
(4)Jemmie W.
Some of the best smelt and walleye I have had anywhere. Lightly battered as opposed to the "here's something the size of a frickin' banana with a smelt somewhere inside" that you find at some other places. The batter is supposed to add some flavor and not supposed to be *the* meal. A good place to drop by on your stroll thru downtown Leland and Fishtown. If nothing else, stop in and have the smelt basket.
(5)Brett H.
Excellent food. A little pricey. Very good salad bar. Very good service.
(4)Jenny z.
This place has been around forever and has been owned by the same family since it opened in 1923. It's the kind of place that, when I was a kid, we'd head to for a dress up dinner with our grandparents. It sits directly on the river, affording very pretty views if you can get one of those tables - I highly recommend that you make reservations ahead of time, especially in the summer. Far more casual now, jeans and such okay, but still an old favorite and a must-visit when in Leelanau County. Steaks, lamb, chicken, etc. are all fairly good, but what people really come here for is the Whitefish. They prepare it a number of ways, but I've found that the more simple preparations are best - I generally stick with the broiled whitefish at this point, but the breaded is very good as well. Very flaky, delicate and fresh - I highly recommend it. In the winter they offer "Ethnic Nights," check their website for themses/dates. Sides and veggies are fairly standard , soups are quite good, attractive and fresh salad bar is available with entrees for a few dollars more or as a standalone. I don't get a appetizers very often here as they have generous servings, but the whitefish spread is really quite good. Good cinnamon rolls. Very, very excellent wine list!!!!! Quality seems to have declined just a bit over the years, but the staff is always great and the food (especially the Whitefish) is solid overall. I would give it 3 stars for the food and one star for the great views. A good place to come with the family.
(4)Mark W.
I can't say much about the dinners as our family always comes for the Sunday brunch during our annual Leelanau visits. Fantastic! Make reservations well in advance.
(4)Erin D.
Ate on the patio a few years ago and decided to come back while in Leland. It was a rainy Monday around 2. We were awkwardly told by the host that they couldn't seat anyone else bc the servers where overwhelmed. (It didn't appear that busy). He recommended we check out "the tavern" in the same building. As we consulted our phones for an alternative, we watched him do the same to a family with 2 adults, 2 kids. But then 1 min later seated party of 3 older adults. So are you too busy or not?!? Sorry, you lost your chance. Won't return.
(1)Susan C.
Don't bother. After waiting 30+ minutes for food while others were served we got food. Not sure why a place in Fishtown with a fresh fish market serves frozen fish for their fish and chips. Burger is not seasoned. Not impressed with management when we asked about the wait for food.
(1)Thomas Y.
Not as good as they used to be. Hostess service was ridiculous, We walked in early of a Friday afternoon about 5pm, few people in the dining room, the hostess asked if we had reservations, when we said no she said "well I'll have to see if I can find you something", this in an almost empty dining room. We stood for 10 minutes before she found us a table. Waitress was pleasant , but service was slow. Food, I had the white fish was just okay. They need to improve their game.
(3)Thad H.
Get ready for throw back dining. The menu, salad bar and decor scream 1983. The food was solid, wine list was ok, it's just missing something for a $50 a person meal. The staff was a bit tired, but very friendly. The carpet is worn but clean, the ceiling tiles have yellowed but no cob webs. I was first surprised to see the place mostly empty on a Saturday night, given its reputation. Soon after it all made sense. I will be back after the renaissance that hopefully is coming sooner than later.
(3)Julie P.
Beautiful fall day in October with temps in the 70's and as were were out taking photos of the spectacular fall colors on the penninsula we stopped in Leland. Chose the Bluebird Restaurant to grab a bite and were we glad we did. Our server was awesome as well as our lunch!
(5)Annie D.
Beer? Amazing, local, and fresh. Food? Expertly designed to your taste. I'm a vegan and they made a To Die For vegan pizza sans cheese. I would definitely be back. Great place to go after coming off the island. The tavern is great! Kiley is a great server and serves up a mean fish and chips.
(5)Lisa N.
Passing through on vacation, and stopped at Bluebird for early supper. First impression not pleasant. Building smelled "old" and looked it. I would guess decor not updated for decades. Carpet in especially poor condition, with many stains obvious to casual observer. Glad we looked past this, though, and gave it a chance. Service was friendly and food good, although pricy for the surroundings.
(3)Marylou P.
terrible don't stop worst hamburger and fries every .meat was raw fries was refried over from someone left over service socks had to ask for more coffee and didn't even get order right
(1)Lori S.
The smelt was good, and they did prepare my clams and fried extra crispy like I requested but they were just frozen clams, not hand battered. Nothing special.
(2)Brian B.
This is the best spot in town hands down. I've been going here as long as I can remember. Get the whitefish Bluebird style. It can't be beat. Always have great service too.
(5)Jeff M.
Wife and i stopped here for lunch. She had a soup and salad (she said both were excellent). I had special of the day...whitefish tacos. Tacos were superb with locally sourced whitefish. Came with a side of chips. Wait staff was courteous and professional. Prices were reasonable. Total ticket was $26 after tax and before tip. Would highly recommend this place when hungry in Leland.
(5)John O.
If you're thinking about stopping in here for a bite to eat. In a word - don't. Obviously the management (owner?) "Skip" reads and responds to reviews and apparently just continues to apologize for poor experiences instead of actually addressing and fixing the problems. We found it interesting that in one week of Western Michigan vacationing we had both the best (Everyday People Cafe, Douglas/Saugatuck) and worst (this place) dining experience in quite some time. We opted for the more casual "tavern" side dining since we had on shorts and it seemed more casual. You can order off either menu if seated on the tavern side. We were promptly seated at an afterthought of a table. A 2 top jammed between larger tables against a wall. The hostess said our server was extremely busy but would eventually get to us and poured our water. The harried young man (maybe Alex?) stopped long enough to take our order. I tried the whitefish ("Bluebird" style - $18) and my wife ordered chicken from the dining room menu. Both were completely underwhelming - actually pathetic. Hers came with a salad bar which was circa 1995 and mine a side salad that was equally nondescript. The fish was bland and a fairly small portion, served with fries that were not as good as the Wendy's fries I had the day before. Her chicken served "airline"style tasted and looked exactly like an airline meal with a paltry side of basically Minute Rice - $24! Seriously? You should be ashamed. My wife then pointed out that right next to us at eye level was a chair rail that was covered with dead bugs. Check it out Skip. Nasty. I guess when you have a fairly captive audience you can get by with sub-par food and awful service? My wife actually got up and said "I'm done, find me down the street after you pay the bill." I left thinking "wow, just think how crazy successful you could be here with a restaurant in a great location in a busy tourist town if you served great food with great service".
(1)Dean K.
I am giving a single star because the food that we ordered and the salad bar were both good. However, the service was miserable from start to finish. If this was the servers first time serving, he should've been trailing someone. He was totally clueless and could not remember to bring bread or water or butter. Nobody got a refill on the water the entire meal to the point that people were pouring their water into other peoples glasses. Our requests for more water were acknowledged and then ignored. He sat there with a stack of tartar sauce on his tray and made each of us raise our hand if we wanted some. The cold bottle of white wine was put down in the center of the table without a sleeve or coaster so that It could just sweat all over everything. When we asked for something to place under it he knew exactly what we were talking about. He just chose to make us ask for it. One of the guests was about halfway through his meal and actually in the process of cutting it when the server came over and loudly said "does anybody want dessert." The place wasn't even crowded and he couldn't wait to move things along. He gave the wrong food to almost everybody and at the end of the night people got the wrong checks. I do not have the patience to relive it and I doubt anyone has the time to read an explanation of everything that went wrong. But if it could it did. I would recommend going to any restaurant other than Bluebird, even if you have to travel to Suttons Bay or Traverse City. Avoid this overrated trap at all costs.
(1)Meredith E.
The pizza in the bar side is very delicious and something I get quite often. The whitefish that they serve is some of my dad's favorite and he thinks that they serve it the best in the area. The burgers here are pretty good and the grilled cheese is also quite good. Service is also very helpful and nice. It is also very efficient. I like that you can order from the dining room in the bar, but I wish that it went the other way too because I do not like many of the items on their dining room menu so I never can sit in there and enjoy the view.
(4)Dan H.
I told my nephew that I needed two things when I arrived in Michigan. Walleye and smelt. He frequents this place several times every summer as he has a boat nearby, and swore this would be thee place for local smelt. I now concur. Michigan smelt when fried up are about the size of a thick French fry. This was a huge plateful of perfectly fried, lightly battered wonderfulness. I crave these little delicacies on occasion, but Musso and Frank in Hollywood is the only place I know of in SoCal that always have them on the menu. Give me a shout if you know of any OC restos that carry them. Service here, at least by our fresh face server was, shall we say, summer job amateurish. When I asked her about the "whitefish", and specifically what fish it was she flipped to her notes and started to read, " a flaky mild...." I bailed the poor girl out and just ordered up the smelt. She giggled and apologized as she stated she doesn't really like or eat fish. "Kind of weird, to be working in a fish place huh?" I guess I nodded and she giggled again, "not many other options in this little town." Well fish restaurant management is one option she may want to cross off her future career options. She was attentive at least, cute, and funny as well. Apparently this is a locals favorite as well as a tourist hot-spot. Very busy on Memorial Weekend Sunday with lots of families. There is a fairly large bar in the center of the main dining room, so maybe it gets rowdy later with less kids. My nephew and his wife both ordered the chicken gumbo that was on the specials board and raved several times how delish it was. So look to the specials board for some additional tasty items. For me it was all about the smelt. I just need to find a source closer to home.
(4)Renee D.
We had a last minute New Year's Eve dinner here and were extremely pleased with the quality of food and service. My husband and I both had parmesan crusted white fish which was really good. Out 10 year old foodie son, Max, ordered the rack of lamb - here's his review: the lamb was cooked to perfection and the quality of meat was very fresh but the thing that really threw me off was the seasoning, the seasoning its self was great but it was only on the very edge, so for next time I would highly recommend spreading the seasoning all round.
(4)Joseph R.
Oh the old Bluebird in Leland... This was once a jewel of a restaurant with great food, moderate prices, and a fun atmosphere. A real destination when vacationing in Northern Michigan. We visited there last weekend while on vacation and I was sad to see the place so "tired." The décor is aged and worn, prices were high, service slow and grumpy, and the food only mediocre. I stood at the hostess stand over five minutes before anyone saw me. Although the restaurant was open and full with a crowd that was mostly senior citizens, the sign in the door of the dining room read CLOSED. I suppose these patrons only remember the good ol days, and are no longer able to see or taste the deteriorating food quality or appearance of the place. I left feeling a little sad.
(2)Saad M.
This is a nice relaxed atmosphere with some great food.good prices for happy hour drinks.
(4)Dan C.
Satisfying burger after a stint on South Manitou. We were looking for a casual, fairly priced place to grab some food after a long weekend of camping and were told Bluebird was a good bet. We ate at a booth in the bar, so we missed the river views but that wasn't really a big concern to us. The waitress lived in the same hall as one of my friends at school, and she was very pleasant. The atmosphere was like a nautical tavern, but still very mid-western. The burger was huge but they charged an extra 50 cents for tomato without any warning which in the grand scheme of things is not a big deal, but some warning would have been nice. They also provide a very small amount of fries (also an optional extra). Overall it was a solid experience and I have no major complaints; however, I will probably look for a different option next time I'm in Leland.
(3)Robert H.
The Bluebird is a Leelanau institution. The Great Whitefish Superpower. Like many people, I visit anytime I am in the area. They have a large dining room with a long row of windows overlooking the river. There is also a bar/tavern area. They serve local wines and dreamy cinnamon rolls. I always get the broiled whitefish, which is served simply with salad and side. The fish tastes fresh and light and melts in your mouth. This place is a must if you are in the area.
(4)Ernie M.
We started with the smoked salmon appetizer----delicious, the crackers that they use are special. I had the bluegill special for the day and it was outstanding. My wife had the whitefish and also said in was great. Service was perfect. The setting for this place in Leland, Michigan is special with an historic village half a block away. The view from the windows are beautiful.
(4)Julie A.
Meh. Atmosphere old dark supper clubby. We did get a table near the window with a view of the river. That was nice. The menu is uninspired. If you like fried fish and prime rib you are fine. My husband and I got the salad bar and split a pasta dish. Over priced, small portions, weak drinks. Nothing special here. Others at the table got the walleye and felt it was over battered. Others ordered prime rib and enjoyed it.
(2)Bryan K.
Whitefish is way over rated and was priced at $14.00 it came with below agerage house salad... fries or potatoes are 2.50 extra for just a small handfull. Would it been served with just a piece of fish if not order? We wont even adress the decor with all the free beer mirrors from the their distributors. Dont get me wrong I love a good dive bar but not when its messing around with my food.
(1)Daniel C.
Best northern Michigan experience yet!
(5)Bex G.
Basic sandwiches but the patio allows dogs and it overlooks the river.
(4)Greg T.
This place is overrated. The whitefish we had was not fresh. Plates were not provided for our appetizer and one entree was not served complete. Not worth the money in my opinion.
(2)Howard N.
This place used to be terrific. For some reason the bar has always been better than the dining room. The perch was incredibly overdone as was the smelt. The wine was old and not correctly stored nor was it served at the right temperature. Hopefully, they will return to their old glory days.
(3)Tim S.
Always a stop on the way back from the Island when delivering the Boat. Good food and a nice atmosphere. The staff is always quick with a recommendation if you are not sure.
(4)Linda G.
I've been going up to Leland my whole life ... My parents met at "The Bird". She was waitressing (while taking art classes at the Old Art building during college) circa 1957. Mom served Dad a hamburger that resulted in me & my sisters (a few years later). The Blue Bird must be on their 5th generation of the Telegard family by now -- since it has been in business since the 1920's. If I feel spendy, we eat in the dining room: Lake Michigan Whitefish $19. or Lake Michigan Perch $21. If I am feeling frugal then it's Burgers in the Bar - where I always bump into some member of the Family.
(4)Patrick D.
I'm definitely a fan of Bluebird. It's always part of David and my vacation to Michigan. The food is quite good, the whitefish Bluebird style is a standout. The salad bar is good. The view is terrific. Be SURE to request a window seat. Service is friendly, good, not great, but hey it's a restaurant that is in an area that is very slow during the winter VERY busy during the summer. Dressy casual and comfortable. Skip the t-shirt, upgrade to a polo shirt!! Slacks, not jeans, though they won't throw you out. Nice shorts are OK. Relax and enjoy a nice dinner. Share with friends and you'll have a lovely evening. Not the least expensive restaurant in the area, not the most, but considering everything a GREAT value. Family friendly. Gay friendly.
(4)Mike M.
If it weren't for the view, I'd never......... The view would be a lot nicer if they elevated the awning a few feet higher. there must be a lot of short people that frequent this place.
(4)Ryan Z.
The Bluebird was billed as a classic Leland establishment, and I think they rest mostly on these laurels to keep guests coming. To its credit, the view of the Leland River from the windows was great, so make sure to request a window seat for a view of the Leland river. But aside from its historical charm, the Bluebird was somewhat of a let down, especially for the price. Atmosphere: 2 stars Even though the fish was solid, something about the indoor atmosphere just wasn't right. Perhaps it was the worn out carpet or the Ruby Tuesday's style salad bar with iceberg lettuce, but it just felt like somewhere you go for dinner with your grandparents (in all honesty, I was there with my grandparents). Food: 3.5 stars That said, the local fish offerings were still good. The Walleye Oscar was particularly tasty. The Fresh Lake Michigan Whitefish was also solid, although the blackened version of this was served a bit too charred. In general, this is a quality spot to pick up some Lake Michigan fish. Service: Very nice waitress, but the hostess was quite pushy about making our party take its seats while one person was in the bathroom even though there were empty tables and no line. She also yelled at people later for standing in the wrong spot in the salad bar line. Reminded me of the middle-school lunch cafeteria all over again.
(3)Katherine C.
Really great food and a nice atmosphere. Looks over the Leland River. Fantastic White fish. Make reservations (in the summer),cinnamon rolls are an extra treat. Good service.:) Family owned since 1923. Walk the town after to work off your dinner.
(4)susanna f.
We were very excited to try out this popular restaurant and were VERY disappointed! We deemed it an "upscale Denny's". Overpriced for the quality. Our waiter was so awkward. They had a salad bar which didn't fit into the "upscale" appearance. VERY LITTLE servings, and not in a good/gourmet way. As we left, we saw what seemed like a GREAT restaurant on the lake up the street... wish we had chosen better!
(1)Bob B.
The food is fine - my wife had the whitefish and I had the perch. The restaurant is physically loveley, with nice views and friendly service. The salad bar is ordinary. But it gets 3 stars from me instead of 4 because the prices are so obviously too high. I had a generous portion of perch with nicely cooked green beans and the salad bar that in Chicago might cost $18, and that should cost $15 at the Bluebird - $21 is unreasonable. Their online menu says $19 - don't believe it.
(3)E L.
A neighbor friend recommended Bluebird to us as a stop on our trip to North Manitou Island. Enjoyed their brunch buffet on Sunday. Ate around noon in a party of 3. was kinda late for brunch but all the dishes were well stocked and fresh. buffet items were immense especially their dessert selection: numerous pies, cakes, fresh fruits, pastries... Atmosphere was nice. waiters and wateriness were clean and polite. view of the river from every table. weird observation. but important - all their tableware was very clean (and warm, been just machine washed).
(4)