4. Restaurants

The Stray Dog Bar & Grill

245 N Whittaker St, New Buffalo, MI, 49117
  • (269) 469-2727
  • Store is closed

The Stray Dog Bar & Grill Menu

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Visit below restaurant in New Buffalo for healthy meals suggestion.

Pizza Hut ( 700 E Buffalo St )

Visit below restaurant in New Buffalo for healthy meals suggestion.

Pizza Hut ( 700 E Buffalo St )

  • Katy S.

    What an awesome atmosphere! The Stray Dog is located very close to Lake Michigan and certainly has a beachy vibe. We stopped in right around sunset and really enjoyed the view from the rooftop patio. We sampled some cocktails, which were unique and refreshing. We also had the nachos, which were a very big portion and were quite tasty. I had the buffalo chicken flatbread and the sauce was just spicy enough. Our service wasn't great and we felt like we had to get the waitress' attention several times, but I still feel that based on food and atmosphere this was a 4 star experience. Definitely a spot to check out if you are in the New Buffalo area!

    (4)

  • Rebecca C.

    I've been coming to the New Buffalo area at least once a year for the past 16 years. I always wondered what the hype was about the Stray Dog. For the past three years, my family and I have attempted to eat at The Stray Dog. We opted out of waiting the hour plus wait until this year. We finally gave in and put our name in for the hour wait. First off, we have always had a sour experience with the hostesses. They have always been rude and inconsiderate. I'm guessing they need some better training on customer service. Second, they only take phone cell phone numbers to text you when your table is ready. Although I applaud them for being technologically savvy, we choose to not carry our phones when I vacation. They offer no alternative method to notify customers of their tables. A pager would be nice. Third, the food is nothing exceptional. With all the raves, I was expecting some extraordinarily excellent food. I got the steak salad, which was good, but not to die for. Lastly, our server and the other wait staff seemed to be bothered when we asked them any question or wanted to order anything additional. This is a sign to me that they might be over worked and under staffed. UPDATE: tried to call in a take out order and they won't take take out orders on the weekends. I called on a Friday. Last I checked, Friday is a WEEKDAY! We are homebound with sick kids on vacation... Ugh! They lost our business.

    (2)

  • Greg G.

    Not impressed. Place was well reviewed but underwhelmed. Was getting 2 stars until manager came and offered to comp the cold fish tacos. Waitstaff and manager were nice and atmosphere okay. Nice outdoor dining. Signature hot dog was really no more than a bacon wrapped dog. Prices on most of food was reasonable, $6 for hot dog and fries. Seemed to have good choices on menu, but would rate everything we sampled as mediocre. Margaritas WAY overpriced ($10 for 8oz). Chips and salsa was $6 with no refills. Service was extremely slow (2 hours overall) in addition to 30 minute wait. Not sure what all the fuss was about but won't be headed back and recommend you find another joint. One last redeeming quality. My son forgot his electronic device and waitress was nice enough to bring it back. Still nowhere near good enough to garner it a 4.

    (3)

  • Victoria Putri T.

    Great atmosphere. I went on a gorgeous sunny day. The location is slaking distance from New Buffalo City Beach. Absolutely beautiful area. The menu is mostly American food with a few Mexican dishes like tacos. If you're not getting a seat outside then it'll probably be dim for you. The design of the restaurant is a modern beachy feel to it. Wooden tables go so well! The burger was not mind blowing tasty. But I give their veggie tacos are 9/10 for sure. You gotta try the spinach artichoke dip &a chips! It's an appetizer, but it was my favorite dish. Thee chicken buffalo sliders were delicious as well, but if you're hungry I don't think it would be filling. It's an overall great restaurant and very reasonably priced, definitely coming again!

    (4)

  • Linda D.

    Place is nice, but we waited around 45 min. To get a table on Saturday night. I ordered a Chicago style dog and tasted very good. No desserts are offered in this place. Is an average place to have a good dinner with friends but nothing special...

    (3)

  • Nick L.

    Now look, this is really 3.5 stars. Best thing about this place is that it's in this awesome Town. Just get here, make sure it's nice out, or not, who cares? It's a freaking paradise! Now bout this joint. Families loovveee this stuff. Drunk tourists looovvveee this stuff. I liked it. Staff is super nice, like, you want to tip them extra for being chill ass folks. Food was ok, I mean, I didn't go, "Wow." But I didn't hate it. Oh and get the tacos and get yo self a seat at the beach.

    (3)

  • Elizabeth F.

    I remember coming here all the time as a child when we vacationed in New Buffalo, and the important parts haven't changed a bit. The food and drink is still great, the location can't be beat, and the gear they sell is still high-quality and great for all ages. We came on a Saturday and they told us the wait was 30-45 minutes. They took our cell number and we went next door to the gift store to peruse. 15-20 minutes later, we received a text saying our table was ready. I appreciate restaurants who over-estimate their wait times. This trip, I got the fish tacos and a small Caesar salad. People in our group had a pizza, grouper sandwich, veggie tacos, a pulled pork sandwich, a fried fish sandwich and clam chowder. All around, the food was great and service was speedy. No complaints!

    (5)

  • Claudine M.

    Great place to stop by a have a great meal with friends. My friends and I were on our way back to Chicago and kept seeing signs to the restaurant so we gave it a go. The restaurant itself had a lively feel and their bathrooms are covered with collages of dogs. Nice theme! They have very cute merchandise too and a cool patio for those warm days. Service was great. Our server was fast and very nice. I got the kale salad with chicken and we also split some nachos. Was really tempted to get a shake there as well but I saved it for some other day!

    (4)

  • Veronica P.

    Beautiful spacious place w a nice fun rooftop. Great to watch sport games if u sit by the bar-Drinks all look great but the mezcal ones are the tastiest. Great atmosphere and yummy food. Everyone here was very friendly and just in a great mood. No complaints on Location or service! Thumbs up for sure!

    (5)

  • Dhwani S.

    Awesome food, great ambiance, and amazing service! We had such a great time...be sure to check out the stray dog gear shop! Got me a super cute sweatshirt :)

    (5)

  • Kathy P.

    I can't complain. Food was bar which is to be expected. Wait wasn't long for a Friday night. Bathroom was clean (#1 priority). And service was good. I'm satisfied with this bar and grill.. 5 stars I can't complain other than the parking is limited.

    (5)

  • Melody F.

    Like they even NEED my review. This place is so well loved that when I got there just after they opened there was a line around the building. But I didn't have to wait long for a table and though there was a little delay on the food, it was all fantastic. We split the jalapeno poppers and I had the siracha chicken sliders - fantastic. My husband got the stray dog (a bacon wrapped hotdog topped with caramelized onions) and for $2 extra was able to upgrade it to 2 stray dogs. I believe my husband also had a very good fruit tea. Passion fruit, maybe.

    (5)

  • Michael H.

    My wife and I stopped in for lunch on a Sunday in August. Needless to say, it was difficult to find parking and there was a long wait for a table. We found seats at the bar and caught a Cubs game on one of many flat screens throughout the restaurant. Great lunch menu and beer selection. We tried the chicken and blue cheese buffalo style pizza. It was a bit too greasy for my taste. I'd stick with the wraps or burger. Rooftop was closed due to rain but I'm sure it's a nice option. It'd be nice if it was located on the water but you can't have it all. Seems that Stray Dog is hurting other more "established" businesses in the area that weren't anywhere near as crowded.

    (4)

  • Doug B.

    Awesome food and drinks on the rooftop dining room. Service was great and pricing was very fair. We chose this location from other Yelpers and they didn't let us down.

    (4)

  • Courtney H.

    This was my favorite stop out of everywhere we went during our Bachelorette weekend this past weekend. They don't take reservations and we were a party of 11 so they quoted us about a 1.5-2 hour wait. We headed upstairs, got some drinks and waited on the rooftop patio. Most of our group was actually able to sit down while we waited which was nice. They will not serve any food or appetizers to you while you're waiting at the bar which sort of was weird, but no big deal. We waited almost the quoted time, but again, we were a large group. It was a nice night with good company so it was fine. They also had the Blackhawks game playing at the bar so that was nice. We finally sat down on the patio and started with drinks and appetizers. The menu had lots to choose from and I think everyone got something different. The hummus plate was decent, the nachos were very good and the jalapeno poppers were insane..they were VERY hot. I had half of one and that was about all I could do. Their portions of food are HUGE so my friend and I shared the turkey club sandwich. It was really good and fresh. It came with fries as well. I got a side salad beforehand, which had plenty of fresh veggies and homemade dressing. After we ate we sat for a bit, people ordered more drinks and we just talked. There was a great breeze and the patio lights went on so it was just a great, relaxed setting. I would for sure go back! Service was good and prices were decent. They also have a store across the street where I got a cute Stray Dog shot glass.

    (4)

  • Kristi W.

    This is a great place!! The staff was wonderful. The roof top was so nice & the view was terrific. Frozen drinks were yummy. We had a grass-fed beef burger & it was delish!!! Can't wait to go back!!!

    (5)

  • Paige W.

    Had to wait about 15-20 mins for a table, but it was a Sunday so that's no big deal. The hostess was very nice and accommodating. There were 4 of us sat in the backroom. It was nice and bright and we were all happy to eat at here. My Mom had talked about it for years and we detoured our trip home specifically to stop and eat. The food was good. My brother ordered a french dip and mom ordered the blackened chicken. My sister and I shared a medium rare burger. The burger came and was over cooked- almost well done which was a surprise to our table because our server, Blain, when asked why our food was taking so long said he "put it in 14 minutes ago" and "the grassfed burger takes longer to cook". Could have done without the snarky server.

    (2)

  • Allen W.

    My family and I had a wonderful dining experience today on our last day of vacation. Heather was out server and did an amazing job,always smiling and willing to even entertain our younger kids. It was very nice to see managers walking around helping the staff and checking on us to make sure we were having a good lunch. We now have a new favorite places to go while on vacation. We absolutely love the food and the atmosphere.

    (5)

  • Meghan P.

    The food was amazing! We went with a group of 8. Nachos, potstickers, poppers, rueben, burgers, pizza, salad, French onion soup and fish tacos. The drinks were made well. Our bartender was very attentive. It was all outstanding. My only complaint is that they said it would be an hour and a half wait, two hours later we were still waiting and ended up just ordering food at the bar.

    (4)

  • Chuck W.

    Lauren B. on the rooftop was the best! Thanks for making us feel at home!! Great job and WE WILL be back tomorrow!!! We highly recommend anyone stopping by, please ask to be seated in Lauren's section!

    (5)

  • Tom M.

    We have been coming here for as long as we have been coming to New Buffalo (except for the rebuild year after the fire). This is the place to be in New Buffalo but that's about it...the place to be. I like the menu better pre-fire and the fact that there's no more roof top bands also takes away from our experience. When we stopped the other day I had the chicken sandwich but it needed a side of buffalo sauce and my wife had the turkey club both of which were good but just that, not worth waiting an hour for. We like the rooftop venue and that's about all that keeps us coming back....we miss the bands.

    (3)

  • Ekta S.

    Great food, good for kids and big groups. Entrees were surprisingly cheap for the quality and size! Good spot to go to if u r in town

    (5)

  • D W.

    Food relatively ok. Summer months a little too busy. Somewhat overpriced. Cobb salad spread out over a wide flat plate to give impression there was a bowl of salad. May return in the winter...

    (3)

  • Lindsay H.

    Not even a busy weekend summer night and the service was sooooo slow, and our server didn't give us an explanation or an apology. I got the Cobb salad and the chicken in it was weird hard dry bits. Pretty disappointing. Also more gluten free options would be great.

    (3)

  • Gretchen R.

    This place had an awesome menu with some great drinks. I had a salad off the menu which was so big I had to take half home. It had all kinds of good stuff on it and the in-house dressing that was made was delicious. I also got a mixed drink off of their drink menu. Also very good! I want to come back here to try everything on the menu because it was so hard to choose. I love the feel and the atmosphere in the restaurant, and if there's a wait there's plenty of places to walk around to shop outside.

    (5)

  • Jesse J.

    Excellent kale salad, especially if you add seared tuna. Enjoyed the guac and chips as well, but on our second visit the chips were stale. The upstairs patio has a beachy vibe but it's not worth the forever wait (in the sun no less)-- the interior downstairs has a great vibe too and is a more reasonable temperature, plus seemed to have better staff (and fresher chips). The fries are way too good, don't order those if you are watching the beach bod. Definitely will be back.

    (4)

  • Ben B.

    The atmosphere here is very cool. I liked the decoration and the employees were all very friendly. I ordered a cheeseburger and thought it was pretty darn good. Definitely juicy and decently thick. The fries were quite bland, though. We also ordered queso fundido and I was disappointed. Way too much chorizo and the cheese wasn't quite the velvety goodness I'd hoped. It was more matted and coagulated. Also, our server didn't bring small plates along with it, so we had to eat it off the singular serving plate. The place was packed, so we didn't see our server much. I wish I could go back when it was a little less busy and maybe check out their rooftop deck. Also, MAJOR props for being the only real late-night option in New Buffalo. (Are there others? Let me know, if so.)

    (3)

  • Nathalia S.

    My husband and I went there for dinner on our anniversary. We were in the area for a wine tour, and were looking for something casual and outdoors after a long day winery hopping -- this place was perfect! The atmosphere is great, with the sunset view of the marina, the string lights, and the music. Very beachy. We had the chicken egg rolls as an appetizer. It came with a tasty raspberry sauce, and it was all delicious, but a little on the small size. My husband had their ribs, which he really enjoyed, and I had the Maui sandwich with chicken breast. We had a great time and would definitely stop by again if we're back in New Buffalo.

    (4)

  • Elaine M.

    We walked in with a large party. They told us there was a 30-45 minute wait and they took our cell # so they could text us when our table was ready. So we walked around town and killed some time at the library. 30 minutes later, we came back even though we didn't get a text. They tell us that they held our table for us for 25 minutes, but just released it. Turns out that they took down the wrong phone number and texted it 5 minutes after we left. We suggested that they verify / read back phone numbers in the future to prevent this from happening again. Got a disinterested "uh-huh" and no apologies. If there was another open restaurant in the area, we would have walked right back out. Once we were seated, the server was nice and the food was decent, but overpriced. I do not plan to come back here.

    (2)

  • Trista S.

    The poppers here are AMAZING! Their Bloody Mary is also really good. We always stop here on our way back to Chicago. Definitely worth stopping in if you're driving through Michigan!

    (5)

  • D Z.

    Retains the pre-fire atmosphere, yet fully updated. The drink and food menu has us visiting each time we are in the area. Love the roof, too!

    (4)

  • Lindsay J.

    A definite must stop in New Buffalo. So why would I only give it three stars you may ask??? Well, we sat at the bar and the customer service sucked. There were a series of four female bartenders who rotated to help us; one of them was semi-polite and the other three seemed as if they couldn't be bothered to help us. It was rude and annoying. On the plus side. Beers are reasonably priced for a tourist stop. The fish tacos were really delicious. The atmosphere was cool. The managers (at least I think that was their role) were very polite, all three of them. But, our tip was based on those who would split it, not the other things. I would go back if I find myself in New Buffalo again. I think I'd sit at a table, or make sure it was different bartenders if I was going to sit there. Bottom line: New Buffalo is a tourist town. I don't care what time if year it is, we just visited over Thanksgiving weekend, you must be nice to your bread and butter-tourists. We wanted to ask some questions about what to do while in town and got the brush off. We wanted to watch a different game in a tv, you'd have thought we asked the impossible. Those ladies sucked and made our night less enjoyable. The very friendly managers would be wise to have a talking to them.

    (3)

  • Erin Y.

    Love the look and feel of this restaurant. It's a great atmosphere to enjoy a meal in a cute little vacation town. I had the beer battered cod sandwich and it was pretty good, very crispy. That's the only food I ate here, but it was good food, and they also have a really nice gift shop next door with some cool shirts. Definitely worth a stop if you're ever near New Buffalo.

    (4)

  • Mary B.

    I know we were fortunate to get in without a wait. We wanted to sit on the rooftop but weren't even asked. They simply whisked us away to an inside table without asking. We thought about saying something, but we were hungry. There was a large group of people waiting for rooftop, and this was on Sunday afternoon about 3:15 or so. My friend found it a bit chilly so some may want to bring a light sweater if you chill easily. Although the waiter briefly messed up my order (forgot chicken add on to salad, corrected quickly) I loved my kale salad with its light summery dressing. My friend thought her salad was OK (Cobb?). I'm not a huge cocktail person but we both enjoyed ours, almost better than the meal. Definitely an interesting variety. I've been there twice, luckily without a wait. Last time there I had a very good burger. Experienced good service both times. Have had friends who waited and enjoyed experience on the roof top and inside.

    (4)

  • Bruce B.

    When will I learn. This place is good for Hot Dogs, Hamburgers and fries...ok the beers on tap are good. I suppose the ambience is good and the staff is very attentive. Beyond the aforementioned, the food sucks. I had a chicken wrap...everything tastes like the color grey: the chicken, lettuce, tomatoes, even the sauce. This isn't the first time but here I am...back for more abuse. I wonder how far in advance they prepare this stuff.

    (2)

  • Simon W.

    Wanted to dine here but couldn't due to the irony of ironies. We were in town with our dog trying to find a decent place to have lunch and needed a pet friendly place. We saw the cutesy name and saw that they had pictures of dogs all over the walls and assumed wrongly that they would have an outside area that might be dog friendly but alas we were not welcome with our furry friend.

    (1)

  • Bryan S.

    Just had lunch with my family at The Stray Dog. A group of 14. Because of our large party size, the wait was longer than expected. But once we were seated, our waitress was really good. She was very attentive and on top of things which is hard with a large group. I had the Buffalo Shrimp and would recommend it. My wife had the Cheese Quesadilla's and she also liked her meal. Great atmosphere.

    (4)

  • Tim D.

    Was impressed. Great service from a very pleasurable young lady. Think her name was yuma, or something close to it. Anyway ordered shrimp appetizer that was really good. Done right. Two full meals of Mahi tacos and a Grouper sandwich. Both were fantastic. Fish was done right, not over cooked like most places. Beer was good and cold. Nice selection. Sat upstairs and had a ball, nice rooftop.

    (4)

  • Eric G.

    I found out about this place from a couple new friends who live in the New Buffalo area that told my friend about it. Every now and then I hit New Buffalo's Four Winds casino and leave my usual donation while playing their tight slots. My friend wanted to go to check out Four Winds so before going there we decided to check out Stray Dog. First off the location is very quaint. I love the historic small downtown feel of New Buffalo. The greeter was polite and directed us to our seating in the sun room area and at a corner table near the windows. From our vantage point we were able to see the harbor area. The place was pretty busy considering it was a cold November Saturday. The place is quite large and from outside it looks like part of a ship. In the summer months they also have an outside seating area to really enjoy the harbor view. Our server was good and we were greeted by a manager a couple times to see how the service was going. My friend ordered their special pumpkin squash soup. He let me sample it and I enjoyed the taste. It was perfect to order on a cold day though I myself ordered a plate of their "peel and eat" shrimp. Those were nice and cold...and tasty...*LOL*. My main entree was their Maui burger with pineapple, swiss cheese, and teriyaki sauce. The burger was really good though it was a little too drowned in teriyaki sauce. My friend ordered the beer battered cod. He mistook it for fish and chips but it was a sandwich. He enjoyed it as well. I definitely will have to make my way back here. It'll be interesting to see how busy it is in the summer as it was packed even in the fall.

    (4)

  • Patrick K.

    Great food and very friendly people that work there. Stinks how long the waits are but it's pretty damn worth it. They have lots of beers on tap and their food is pretty damn good. Keep up the good work and build one in Chicago!

    (4)

  • Alina S.

    This place is located in the cutest little Michigan lake town. The name and the ambience are super. The whole place is made of reclaimed wooden elements as well as steel. Very cozy inside. The service was great, we got seated pretty fast and our server was very attentive. As for the food, the menu isn't that large. We got the siracha chicken sliders and they were impeccable! Prob the best part of the whole meal. We also got guac & chips. Those were ok. Few others in our party got wrap sandwiches, no complaints but no rave reviews either. The French dip was great. I got a burger with blue cheese and bacon. It was cooked well but was a bit under seasoned. The fries were light and airy. Overall, not bad. I'd come back! I did also get a super cute sweatshirt from their gear store which is a few steps from the restaurant.

    (3)

  • Veronica B.

    Great place for dining in New Buffalo! Great food and slow service....and the place is always packed! I actually appreciated not being rushed out of there...(there was a line of peeps waiting to get in!) Great place to take the entire family! Roof top seating area is fun in good weather! Fun dog pictures in the ladies room. Loves me a stray dog!

    (5)

  • Sharon S.

    We ate with our family. Everyone enjoyed their food, pizza and chicken. Good meal and fast service. Nice atmosphere. Friendly staff.

    (4)

  • Karen D.

    My family has been coming to New Buffalo for 12 summers. The Stray Dog is a staple and we go all the time. Fun with our teenage kids and always a great spot for a date night! We love the upper deck late night. Joe, the manager is so sweet and always makes a point to come and talk to us every time we are there. Good food but really it's the location and the friendly service that keeps us going back.

    (4)

  • Kiki T.

    Great food! Great Service! (Thanks Abby) Great vibe! Delish nachos!! Fab Cobb Salad! We will be back!

    (5)

  • C W.

    Food was excellent-- chicken n quinoa wrap and blue burger were delicious. Roof top seating was perfect--gorgeous day today at noon. Waitress was fair--she was okay but aloof, like she didn't want to be there. She could have sold us each another beer but never asked, so we had finished our beer and then just drank our water. BUT we all have bad days. If in the area I will definitely go back!!!

    (4)

  • Casey T.

    This place is fabulous!!! They are always busy and don't take reservations, so plan on waiting a bit. It will be well worth the wait, trust me! :) Decor is really cool and beachy!! The view is superb!! They have a super cool rooftop seating 21 and over - the view it to die for!! Their food is amazing!! Nachos are great, fish tacos are great too. They have a ton of amazing choices. There service is always above par, we have never had a bad experience dining here!! Can't wait to come back!

    (5)

  • Lisa S.

    We had a group of 4 on a beautiful, warm Saturday night and the wait for the outside area was 1 hour and 45 mins. We were willing to wait and were grateful that we were able to get some beers at the bar while we waited. It was crowded at the bar but the bartenders were attentive even with folks 2 deep trying to get drinks. Good beer selection. We had enough standing room that we didn't feel in the way of other patrons or the busy staff most of the time. 2 rounds of drinks later... Our table was ready just short of the wait time we were told. Service was outstanding. The food came out fast. We had poppers and wings as an app and the wings were really good, nice and crispy. The poppers were super spicy but tasty. Thankfully our server came by frequently to refill water which we needed after those poppers. Three of us had tacos and one had a turkey burger. We were all really happy with our meals. I was surprised that the shrimp in my tacos was cooked perfectly. I thought with such a busy kitchen they would be like rubber. I really expected this place to be over-rated but it certainly is not. I'm so glad we waited it out. The place is clean, nicely decorated and a great atmosphere and from what I saw, managed really well.

    (5)

  • Mike L.

    This place is quite busy and we eat here often. The service is usually good, as well as the food. They do call you on your cell phone when your table is ready, So you can walk around town for a while if there is a long wait. I usually order the baked onion soup and the fish tacos, both of which are quite tasty!

    (4)

  • Sallie S.

    Went to Stray Dog on a recent Monday afternoon for a late lunch/early dinner. We got there before the dinner rush so there was plenty of seating on the rooftop deck. It filled up pretty quickly around 6pm so if you don't want to wait I'd suggest heading there earlier in the day on a weekday. Weekends are busy all day long during peak season but waiting is normal for good places that attract a lot of visitors, so be aware and prepared that you might have a delay before you can sit down. We ordered the jalapeño poppers and a build-your-own pizza. The poppers are fresh peppers, not pickled, and have a panko-like breading with a mixed cream cheese/cheddar cheese filling. They were really good. The pizza had a chewy crust and plenty of cheese and toppings. The portions were fair for the price and the food arrived in a reasonable amount of time. We both had a couple of beers with our meal. The draft beer list was ok, 20 taps but there wasn't much for local/Michigan beer besides Greenbush. I think a place that has so many tourists visiting would benefit from having more Michigan beers on tap. We sat at the bar and the bartenders were attentive to making sure our water glasses were refilled quickly and that we didn't have to wait too long to order our drinks or food. We've eaten at the Stray Dog on other occasions, and our current visit was just as good as previous times. I'd recommend it to friends and we'll be back again.

    (4)

  • Shannon M.

    Always delicious!!! Love this place!!! Good atmosphere and good food!!! We have tried many things off the menu and have never been disappointed. The French dip and grilled chicken pita are amazing!!!

    (5)

  • Lois C.

    The food is so not worth the wait. Waited over one hour and 30 minutes for sandwiches . Not worth it .

    (1)

  • Alissa G.

    My husband and I are both got a grass fed burger - and both of us have felt sick since we left. Stinks that the restaurant clearly doesn't have good quality meat products in general but charging an extra $3 per gross burger is reprehensible. Avoid, avoid, avoid.

    (1)

  • Anna G.

    Great food. Great service! Drinks were delicious. I had the jalapeño margarita and it was one of the best drinks I've ever ordered at a restaurant. Mahi Mahi tacos are fresh and delicious. We definitely will have to come back!!

    (5)

  • Lee S.

    If you are a party of four or less, this place may be fine. But if you have a large party, don't bother. The staff seemed incredibly inexperienced and didn't know what to do with our group of 8, so they just ignored us. Everyone else that came in after us was seated. We watched a large party leave the restaurant and thought we would finally be seated. Instead, the workers separated the tables and seated two parties of four. When we asked why we weren't seated, we got blank stares. We left.

    (1)

  • Dawn D.

    I thought this was a bar but on a weekday afternoon in July it looks more like a Chuckie Cheese or a daycare center. More children than adults in this bar. The service was good, especially considering how hard it is to wait on tables where there's at least 4 kids and 2 high chairs per party. The food came out fast and was also good, although my wrap had almost no chicken in it the ingredients I could taste were delicious. My husband really liked his sandwich. If I had 9 kids and 6 diapers bags with me, I would probably give it 5 stars.

    (3)

  • Bob Z.

    We stopped here in the way back from Saugatuck. We ate on their rooftop. The food was very good. Service was good but not great. My friend had the Mahi tacos. They were awesome. Huge chunks of fish served with decent (not great) guacamole. I had their Diablo Burger. It was cooked perfect and had great flavor. Their bloody marys are really good too.

    (4)

  • Joe P.

    Stopped in with while driving back to Milwaukee. Great set up. Would love to come back in the summer and enjoy the roof top patio. Would have given 4+ stars but always frustrated when ordering tuna and it comes out over cooked even when the server says its just seared. Insider tip, if the tuna is no longer red/pink its over cooked. They were still good I had the wasabi aoli added and it hit the spot. I'll be back

    (3)

  • Chris O.

    I went there for lunch with a few friends after a long night at the casino. We had a blast. The food was all excellent. For an appetizer we had the pot stickers and I ordered a stray dog. I have to say for a non Asian joint the pot stickers were tasty like they were from a good Asian joint and the hot dog was excellent as well. My favorite part was the fries, they were seasoned to perfection. My friends had the special which was a mozzarella burger and I had a pizza for our main courses. Both were delicious. The burgers were cooked to perfection and juicy. The pizza was also just right with little grease and also done perfectly. Their selection of beer was very good as well and their local brews were spot on with the burgers. If you have time, stop by the merchandise shop across the street, they have some fun paraphernalia with their cool logo. This is a must stop place if you're visiting New Buffalo.

    (5)

  • Renita M.

    A great beachy bar-grill-type place. I saw some comparisons to Popeye's in Lake Geneva, but this seems much more chill and the food was definitely better. The decor is cool, with lots of doggie pictures around. Casual, comfortable, lots of light. The tap list is pretty good, with a fair amount of local stuff, which I always appreciate. The cocktails looked like fun too, but I didn't indulge this time. We started with queso fundido - hard to go wrong with cheese and chorizo. My husband had a bacon-wrapped, cheese-stuffed hot dog topped with sauteed onions. It smelled delicious. I went for fish tacos, and they were very tasty. Yeah, it's a little touristy, this is a touristy town. But it seems like a cool place with good, fresh food and tasty beverages, and I would definitely return.

    (4)

  • Gabriel W.

    Looks to be a staple go-to in the town and we found out why it came highly recommended. Buffalo Blue Cheese Chicken sliders are amazing! I'm craving more as I write this review! I like their beach shabby chic style and the roof top deck looks nice too. Beer selection is full of IPA's so right up my alley. Good place to have a chill dinner date.

    (5)

  • William B.

    Apparently I reviewed this place almost exactly five years ago and declared it "nothing fancy, but the best thing nearby." I doubt it's gotten better in the past five years, but my standards have broadened. Everything I said before is true, but I think I didn't realize at the time how precious a place like this is -- the food is not complicated but very tasty, the service is efficient, and the french fries are still very good. Oh, and they have a good beer list too. I'll promote it to "the go-to place for those in the area."

    (4)

  • Marianne D.

    This review is coming a little late as I enjoyed dining for the 2nd time at this restaurant in May. Stray Dog is a busy and popular place. The restaurant has plenty of seating, both on the ground floor and on an upper outdoor deck with a bar area. I like sitting upstairs to get the breeze and bird's eye view of the water and activity below. Their menu is varied and drink selection large. This time I had an ahi tuna sandwich, which I really enjoyed. It was cooked rare just like I like tuna and served with avocado and a wasabi aioli. So good! I had a really good alcoholic lemonade drink that was so refreshing on a hot day. There is a store of Stray Dog items across the road, which I find expensive for what is offered. We definitely will be back to Stray Dog when we travel to South Haven for a get-away. I recommend Stray Dog for good food and drink.

    (4)

  • Thomas C.

    Rating is only for the bars an emergency came up keeping wife and me from dining as we had planned. With all of the people you see walking around with stray dog hats it must be good food though. Bar area was very nice, large...world cup was on and the place was a buzz to watch the Americans get eliminated unfortunately.

    (3)

  • David H.

    Zero complaints. Great food, great service, great atmosphere, great drinks, so many options. Ate there 3 times in 3 days (one was liquid lunch).

    (5)

  • Grennan K.

    Love the roof top bar! Buffalo wrap was very appetizing. Staff highly recommends the pizzas (not chicago style.) The wait here was 2 hours long during the boat festival but we managed to snag bar seats on the roof to catch the sunset.

    (4)

  • Laurent V.

    The only redeeming quality of this place is the rooftop deck and patio, and the only reason I come back. The food is pretty bad, and the cocktails are disappointing. Draft list is decent, but overpriced. The server was pretty obvious at rushing us out since it gets packed on nice days, which was rude. If you want to sit outside, drink good beer and eat good food, go to greenbush brewery.

    (2)

  • Mike G.

    This place was awesome. Great view, great food and great service. I am not going to talk about the food or beer, just know you will not be disappointed. What I am going to talk about is the service. We took our 5 month old son with us around 5pm on a Wednesday. We were sat instantly and waited on. The crowd was minimal as it was Wednesday but the staff was on top of their game as if it were packed full. Multiple servers/workers spoke to us and our son and made us feel at home. Lauren B was out server and she was amazing. She brought our son some toys (ie. cup, straw, etc) to play with as we enjoyed our dinners. She even held him and played with him. We WILL go back, no questions asked and will hopefully find Lauren B to serve us again. FYI, beer selection is great for local beers on draft.

    (5)

  • Scott M.

    Meh, I don't agree on the fish taco hype. They were decent at best - and for $14, I expect more than that. Maybe people love the regular crispy fish ones and not the grilled mahi mahi version? I would not recommend ordering them, not at all. On the other hand, yes, I would recommend the hummus appetizer. Hummus was 4 star good and quite plentiful, included lots of things for dipping. Service was friendly and fairly attentive, showed genuine concern for allergies when we asked about ingredients. Toddler factor: Ample room for a high chair and there were MANY little folks in there at noon on Saturday. Nice kids menu. Our boy loved the hot dog and the fruit. Lots to look at, both inside the restaurant and out the windows.

    (3)

  • Erick W.

    Great food, great atmosphere and great service too! My friends and I, visiting the Midwest from the West Coast saw the billboard on the highway and decided to give it a chance. We were not disappointed and will definitely recommend it.

    (4)

  • Crazy G.

    A must stop when here. Every time we come they are packed. Super friendly. Clean. Fast. Delicious. You have a lot to choose from. Good portions for cost. Yum.

    (5)

  • Jenn B.

    Visited mid afternoon on a Saturday and had less than a 15 minute wait. Very nice they text you to let you know when your table is available. Had a bbq burger and fries that were very good. Service was great and friendly from both hostesses and waitstaff.

    (5)

  • Carrie F.

    Great job Stray Dog! Remodel is beautiful and food is delicious! Margaritas went down well and fish Tacos were the best we have had in a long time!

    (5)

  • Dawn D.

    I'm not quite sure why this place got good reviews service was horrible the food is not that good I got a Oriental chicken salad I was looking for the chicken it was shredded I would not go back there again

    (1)

  • Rebecca C.

    Great cocktails!! The Pizza Green is amazing. If ever in town again, will definitely re-visit!

    (4)

  • Charyl M.

    Sit upstairs on the rooftop deck, order anything from the menu - it's all delicious - and watch a majestic Lake Michigan sunset. Great looking restaurant, terrific staff, and good food.

    (5)

  • Steve W.

    Best Burgers in the Area!! Went there for lunch and I had the Blue Harbor - blue cheese and bacon. It was amazing. Full of flavor and cooked perfectly. Fantastic service and great brews too! A little spendy, but what do you expect in a lake town in the summer time. My wife and I loved it and will be back for sure!

    (5)

  • Andrew K.

    Great fun year around for local and visitors. Long waits during the season. Tacos are winners in any flavor.

    (5)

  • Stef M.

    I think I went here on a day where the restaurant was not operating as well as it usually does. My 45 min estimated wait became 1 hr and 15 min. There were many empty tables around me that were not sat with guests for most of my meal. I think on this Saturday they were short staffed. Our food took a long time to come out and when it arrived most of our food was served slightly too cool and not enough hot. It was not worth a total of 3 hours spent to get for sandwiches/burgers served at the wrong temperature

    (3)

  • Allie T.

    I have been here over 10 times and every time I have amazing service, food and drinks. My all time favorite is their buffalo chicken wrap and their mojitos. My boyfriend and I have also loved their chili, burgers, pizza, fish tacos (which are huge) jalapeño poppers and fab buffalo wings. It's now a staple stop on my trip home from Chicago to Michigan.

    (5)

  • Tracy L.

    the food is delicious and the atmosphere is beach friendly fun, but the stray dog does not know how to manage their crowds and offers unrealistic time expectations. At peak hours this is a miserable place to bring a family! a good place to come for a late night drink during the week in the summer, but leave a family visit for off season.

    (3)

  • Deej N.

    Great atmosphere. Good food. My husband had the chili dog and I had the fried cod sandwich. I think our waitress may have been fairly new. She wasn't really able to answer the couple of questions we had about food items. Chili dog barely had any chili. We asked for a tiny ramekin of extra chili and she came back saying it would be an additional $2.00, in which I questioned that charge for basically a sample bite size of chili. The manager came out with a half cup of chili and said it would be no charge. The chili is delicious! Wouldn't mind having a bowl of it as a meal. Tasted almost like my homemade chili. There was stickiness on my chair when I went to sit down and that always grosses me out. And the salsa was super bland, not spicy at all, and the chips mediocre. Thus, minus one star. Would definitely go back. Oh, and definitely go to the ice cream shop next door. Super yummy for dessert!!!!!

    (4)

  • Deb W.

    Beautiful rooftop bar. Great food. Nice beer menu. Loved the veggie tacos. DH said the grouper sandwich was very good.

    (4)

  • Tricia W.

    Our food was mediocre. We ordered the southwest egg rolls as an appetizer the raspberry sauce was like a jam and didn't compliment the egg rolls in any way. The very small app (2 small egg rolls cut in half) were hard. They looked/tasted as if they'd been thrown back into the fryer after being cut. We took one bite and decided to try the queso fundido. It was ok. I ordered the fish tacos as my entree. They were pretty good, although they didn't come with anything. It was an up charge of $3 for guacamole and $1 for salsa. The tacos needed the extra flavor, so I'm glad I ordered them. My friend ordered the blackened chicken pita, which he also described as mediocre. The service was on point though! I wish I remembered her name, because she was great! The manager was friendly and checked on us mid-meal. Kudos for service! The prices are definitely high for the quality of food.

    (3)

  • Kathryn T.

    My favorite place on the planet ! Get the siracha chicken sliders and hang around for the rooftop. Great service, friendly people and an awesome menu !!!!!!!!

    (5)

  • Suze A.

    My husband and I were looking for a good place for dinner, and decided to give Stray Dog a shot. Holy crap, guys, SO GOOD. I ordered the ahi sandwich, and husband ordered a burger. I demolished my sandwich is about five seconds, followed by eating all the fries. I was so full, but was considering ordering MORE FOOD because it was just that good. The whole place smelled amazing, the food was delicious and it was a great place for a low-key dinner with my husband. We'll totally be back.

    (5)

  • Julie O.

    Great place. Really good atmosphere, friendly servers, easy menu. The Stray Dog aims to please. Too hot for the rooftop deck. The dining room was nice. Not at all pretentious. I had a Hawaiian burger with pineapple.Good stuff. Burgers come with fries. Husband had fish tacos. Good stuff. Large beer and drink menu. Beer was reasonably priced. Ladies room was very clean. Lots of pictures of dogs in the ladies loo.

    (4)

  • JJ N.

    This is a very cool place from the inside and will want to see the view from the rooftop before we leave. Had the wings for an app, both buffalo and the Asian and are very tasty. Waiting for the main course but anticipating some very good eats. On, ahi tuna tacos are very good! Added guac and salsa and even better. Table had cod, diablo burger and chicken tacos. All rated very highly by all. Great food, great atmosphere and great company. Would've liked to know what it was like in the before burned establishment. Going to check out the gear shop next. Would recommend anyone to stop and try.

    (4)

  • Pete D.

    We were heading back to Illinois after a camping trip in Michigan. Kids (7 & 5) were getting restless and we decided to stop for a bite to eat. Tried to swing into a different place but there was no parking and it appeared to have a long line. Remembered seeing a sign for the Stray Dog, so we decided to give try. Found some off street parking about 3 blocks away in which we were able to park (we were pulling a camper). Upon arrival we were told that it would be a 45 minute wait. The kids were into the vibe of the place so they asked that we stay. They do allow you to give your phone number at check in and they will send you a text when your table it ready. After about 20 minutes, we were seated and greeted promptly by our waiter. Our waiter was awesome. He was very attentive and on top of everything for us. My wife and I shared the Diablo Burger and the Fish Tacos. Both were excellent. The kids chomped their food as well. We were disappointed that we were not able to sit on the rooftop seating area (21 and over only due to insurance reasons). All in all, we thought that this was a great place and we all stated that we would come back if we were ever in the area again.

    (5)

  • Alyson W.

    Such a fun place to hang out with friends. Definitely would like to visit again when in town

    (5)

  • Vinny G.

    We visited Stray Dog during a cross country trip and were happy we did. New Buffalo is a very nice lake town and this restaurant rooftop offers attractive views, friendly service and good food. Our Mahi tacos were fresh, filling and very tasty with a great salsa. Prices were inexpensive for the food and experience. It's a great place for a good meal or just to relax with a drink or desert and coffee.

    (4)

  • Jessica P.

    The location is gorgeous and wasn't very busy at all. Our server was very attentive and friendly, the food was good just not what I expected. Prices are very reasonable considering the area its in. I would recommend the spinach artichoke dip, was cheesy and so delicious!

    (4)

  • Danielle S.

    This place looks beautiful. I like all the windows that let in natural sunlight and set the mood of this place. The view is decent and it seems to be busy since its a Saturday night. The Bloody Mary was good and had a different touch on the garnishes than I'm used to but was very good with flavor. Ordered the turkey burger on the el Diablo. It was absolutely amazing! The burger was flavorful and a good size. Would go back if I was in the area! Great food and decent service. It ended up getting a little bit busy towards the end of my visit, which was understandable. I enjoyed my experience here!

    (5)

  • Li C.

    The Rooftop bar and dinner service is amazing because of the view and the atmosphere. 5 stars to the rooftop. I subtract a star because the hostess here dont communicate well. I wish mgmt would tell guests that there need not be a long wait if people just go upstairs. The quoted wait times are not very accurate either. Seating aside, the food is very good and the service is pretty good.

    (4)

  • Tori T.

    A must when visiting New Buffalo. Located across the street from the harbor and just a block away from the beach, the reclaimed wood, stone fireplace, and lighted twigs come together to create a semi-rustic feel with the perfect amount of beach. During the summer months, you'll find this place packed (mostly with Chicagoans trying to escape the city for a weekend). The rooftop deck is gorgeous and well worth the additional wait when the weather permits. I must say I was surprised at the wait today. On a cold day in November, I figured the Stray Dog crowd would have started to dwindle already. We have been several times in the winter and the quiet, more local oriented atmosphere is very nice, but much different than in the summer months. Today, however, the place was packed! You'd think it was 4th of July weekend. I can honestly say I've never had a disappointing meal at Stray Dog. Today, we started with the potstickers and they were delicious. The perfect combination of soft and crispy was just intensified by the ginger and sesame soy sauce. I must say one thing though, I cannot vouch for the meat. As a non pork eater, I actually eat around the inside of the potstickers-but they're amazing nonetheless! Plus my boyfriend loves them all around. I ordered the veggie tacos (always a favorite). Anything with avocado has my name on it and they do a stellar job with their veggie tacos. The boyfriend got the Stray Dog (another one of his favorites), which is a deep fried, cheese stuffed, bacon wrapped Vienna beef dog served alongside a platter of fries. Our meal couldn't have been any better. We left feeling satisfied and happy (and very full..). With the staff donning "Sit, Stay" t-shirts and jeans, along with the laid back atmosphere, this place has an air of familiarity to it, even to those who haven't been before. We always make time to visit the Stray Dog while in New Buffalo whether it's for a late lunch, dinner, or just a drink. I definitely recommend it and will certainly be back on my next trip up- might even stop in later tonight for a quick drink.

    (5)

  • Ryan R.

    I was here before the fire and the food and service were so so. Well this is the first trip back since and the food and service were much better, although it is still pricey bar food. The chili is very good and the choices for micro brew were outstanding. Definitely a place to take the kids, especially if you need to be in and out in 45 minutes. The inside decor is much nicer than previous and the back room is no longer cold.

    (4)

  • Ike T.

    Great place to enjoy a nice summer day drinking a beer, eating a good meal, and sitting on the roof top. This place would be perfect if it was a little closer to the lake, but the view is not bad as is. Burgers and beers are no brainers. Service is great. I usually get the potstickers and the fish tacos. This time, tried the Chicago dogs and they were pretty good.

    (4)

  • Nicole B.

    This place was so easy to give 5 stars to. This was our first visit. We had a party of 6 and the place was crazy crowded, so our wait was to be 1 1/2 hours. We agreed and went across the street to their small gift shop where we couldn't help but to purchase some cool clothing items. Then we walked over to the boat dock and sat near the lake. It was gorgeous. It was less than an hour when they called us back. Once we got in we were sat in an area with plenty of room even though the place was packed. Our waitress was excellent. The volume is loud, but you have to expect that. We ordered off the main menu & the kid's menu. Spinach & artichoke dip with chips, salad, reuben, turkey club, hot dogs, cheeseburger, hamburger, chicken strips, fries, and drinks. The portions were huge (we took stray doggie bags home) and the food was delicious. Even though they were so busy, the staff were all friendly and the food was still good. My entire party was pleased. We will definitely be back!

    (5)

  • Pamela W.

    Great food and ambiance! The rooftop dining was perfect for the weather in the spring! You could hear the lake from where we were! Ordered the cucumber cocktail and it was spot on! We hAd the bacon wrapped hot dog!! Perfect as well!

    (5)

  • Ed R.

    Seen shirts for this place for years (brilliant marketing, I must say) and have always meant to try it. Finally after living in the area for a decade decided to swing over there while we were at the lighthouse mall. Was not disappointed. Totally worth the 10 to 15 minute drive from whatever you're doing in Michigan City. There are NOT MANY decent places to eat in Michigan City, and this is a great little detour. They have their own parking lot, which is totally awesome, and the location is great. It's easy to spend at least 20 bucks a person, but I say it's worth it!

    (4)

  • Maggie K.

    Love Love Love! And will always love. I have been going here for years and take all my friends here on our day trips to Warren Dunes. Great atmosphere, decent prices, great screened in patio in the back and nice service. Food is amazing!!! Only issue I have is the bathroom - always a line going out the door since there is seating for hundreds and only two stalls. (also, no atm around - nearest one is 2 blocks away) I will continue to go here just like the rest of us Chicagoans - and some day I hope to have enough saved up to buy one of the expensive hoodies!

    (5)

  • Tim B.

    I've been here a couple of times for lunch and have had great experiences. Food has been good and prices are very reasonable. I haven't tried the rooftop seating yet but based on other reviews this is high on my list to try out. Give Stray Dog a shot!

    (4)

  • nida d.

    I love this place! When staying at my sister's cottage in Union Pier, we always come to the Stray Dog more than once because, not only is it child friendly (it's loud and busy!), but the food is great. I love all of the salads, the peel and eat shrimp, and nachos. The sanwiches and burgers, I am told (husband) are also great. We love sitting in the patio room, as the view of the marina is so nice. And service has always been good, even though they are often super busy.

    (4)

  • Rich A.

    Came into New Buffalo at 10:30 pm on a Thursday night after labor day, and found that they were open and their kitchen was open until 11pm. I had a Maui Burger (Teriyaki sauce, pineapple and swiss) and it was pretty awesome. My buddy had the Buffalo Chicken Wrap, which he claimed was great too. The nacho appetizers were OK at best, void of meat and with stale chips - but at 10:45 pm they did fill the spot. I will definitely come back to this place. Oh, and nice bar too

    (4)

  • Kari H.

    The StrayDog caught fire early this simmer and is closed until repairs are made

    (1)

  • C Y.

    Good place, good food, But this time we had terrible service. I enjoyed my meal, it was good, However it did take longer than it should have. We ordered chips and salsa, and that took up a whole lot of our meal to get them. And there wheren't even warm. I like this place a lot but this time I had a bad experience. I'd go back but not when it's crowded.

    (3)

  • Thomas A.

    I'm in for four stars on the crazy-busy Stray Dog. The place is well staffed and able to handle the rush with attentive service and a speedy kitchen. When there's room, the roof deck is a great place to eat, drink and watch the sunset - but don't get the idea that it's romantic. The lively and loud bar up top does not stop to admire the setting sun. The menu is basic better bar food in a relaxed fun and well-run restaurant.

    (4)

  • Kathryn H.

    The food was not that great for how expensive it was. We sat on the patio upstairs which was nice but I wasn't crazy about having to drink my $6 beer out of a small plastic cup. The servers were nice. The music was either Justin Bieber or Brittany Spears. So it was a little adolescent for my taste. Which was surprising because you have to be 21 to sit on the upstairs patio.

    (2)

  • Travelin B.

    Location can't be better. Great view from the deck, great prices. Never had a bad meal there. I'm not a vegetarian but the veggie burgers are excellent. Warning to salsa lovers, we ordered guac and chips and asked if the salsa was fresh and the waitress said yes. But I guess she thinks adding other things to canned stuff means fresh because it wasn't. Wasn't terrible. just saying if u need it fresh it's not.

    (4)

  • Eric R.

    This is a nice grill/bar, with a good menu with many good items, its by the beach as well. I believe the last few times i went here i had the wraps and they where normal size and taste. I have had the southwestern egg rolls and the wings from the appetizers, the wings are ok the southwestern egg rolls are much better.

    (3)

  • matty z.

    Great food, fun resort atmosphere, and a wonderful place to spend a summer day.

    (4)

  • Ron Z.

    I'm a Chicago transplant to HarborCountry and dine here year round. The food is generally good, the beer is cold and the ambiance is fine - just way too noisy during the high season with lots of kids, being a family friendly establishment. The entree salads (southwest chicken) are quite good and are a very generous portion. Most of the sandwiches and burgers are typical and standard fare; they're good...just not something I'd write home about. Being located near the beach and marina, the place can have long waiting times for weekend dinner service. The service at times can be slow due to what appears to be newly hired servers during the early months of the summer season. The owners know how to brand their product and offer many clothing items for the tourist crowd.

    (3)

  • Deglazer Z.

    Walked in fully prepared to hate the place. I mean, look - the gift shop, the location off the marina, the clientele consisting largely of annoying rich Chicago weekender types - what's to like, right? Came away a fan, however. I'll admit that I was there on a Tuesday night, when presumably things are less hectic than the usual weekend, but nevertheless - all went according to plan. Service was spot-on. Food was perfectly acceptable pub grub. Bloody Marys were very nice. Prices were high for rural Michigan, but not too bad for a touristy location. We had a fine time, and have certainly paid more for a worse experience - 4 stars.

    (4)

  • Maria S.

    The Stray Dog is a great place, an institution almost. We don't go all of the time during the summer because it tends to get a bit pricey for a family. Not over the top but I think the kids' meals are $5 or so plus $$ for a drink. It also gets very crowded on summer weekend nights - so either be prepared to wait or come early.

    (4)

  • Bella D.

    I had lunch one afternoon with co-workers and ordered the windward burger med well. The burger came out med rare, and I just can't eat ground beef that is pink...to much bacteria and not enough time to age. I sent it back and the kitchen fixed the issue, but i sat at the table with my co-workers and watched them eat=.( Management did not check on me and that was disappointing. The pics of the dogs in the restroom are adorable though!!!

    (3)

  • Bella V.

    Had a great time here. The rooftop deck is fantastic, and the shrimp poppers were great. The chicken wings come in 2 flavors hot or bbq (wasn't impressed). The french onion soup is totally bland. The service was great and the drink prices were very reasonable. I'd go back if ever in town. I have to mention that they serve alchohol later than any other place in town. A whopping 1:30 a.m. (if it's busy)

    (4)

  • Mike L.

    Service was slow. There were five servers standing by the kiosk in an almost empty restaurant. We waited 10 minutes then asked someone to take our order. Food was mediocre.

    (2)

  • Lizzie O.

    the food is decent, prices are reasonable and the view is pretty great (right by the water). i think the appeal is their catchy logo and souvenier shop. if you're a sucker like me for anything dog related, you'll enjoy your experience.

    (4)

  • Craig L.

    They actually have really good food. I'm pretty picky about my french fries and Stray Dog has really good fries. The only thing that kept me from giving it five stars was that it's extremely crowded and busy. The waitress that we had was really busy at the time, so it took awhile for her to get around to us. It's also really loud there. I almost have to yell at my tablemates to talk to them.

    (4)

  • Sarah K.

    Really enjoyed eating here. They have a number of unique pizza options that all sounded delicious. They also have a number of burgers, salads, sandwiches, etc. I think the two of us ate for about $20 and that included an amazing potato skins appetizer as well. The atmosphere and service was really great as well. I would definitely eat there again should I ever be in the area.

    (4)

  • John S.

    After subseqent visits, and a management change, the Stray Dog has improved immensely. Joey the Manager actually cares if you are happy and have good service. Shocking. Food is still marginal at best, but for drinks and atmosphere, its much improved. ( Michigan smoking ban helps too)

    (3)

  • Allison E.

    I stopped in with my gal pals for a late lunch. We had been picking blueberries and were pretty much starving. The Stray Dog more then hit the spot. My burger was fantastic, It was dripping with juicyness and love. And the fries were good too. I pretty much licked my plate clean. The plates coming through with other people's food looked pretty good too. I would love to try the nacho's. But maybe that is just the starvation delirium speaking. I think I still would have a given Stray Dog a decent rating if I had not been starving. It was a nice finish to a fun afternoon.

    (4)

  • Adam G.

    I have been here many times, but my most recent was after a long day on the beautiful Michigan beaches! A group of us had a long day of sun bathing and splashing around in the water and needed some food and spirits to re-energize ourselves. I had a few Stella's and ordered a BBQ, Blue cheese burger and it was delicious!! It was cooked perfectly per my request and tasted like beefy heaven on a bun! So good. Our waitress was great. It almost felt like we were her only table because she was so attentive but we had to wait about 20 minutes for a table so it was pretty busy. I myself picked up on the fact that they had a separate room for people dining with children. They were all sequestered into one room. Great for me since I'm not a huge fan of small children in a restaurant. Great place!

    (4)

  • Jacky V.

    This restaurant/bar is one of my faves! I love the atmosphere. In the summer they have a huge screened-in area in the back that is all lit up with white lights which can be both romantic and relaxing because you catch a great breeze off the water since it is located near Lake Michigan. The wait staff is always friendly and I've had no complaints! I would highly recommend going there at least once to enjoy the experience!

    (4)

  • Kent V.

    We decided to take a quick drive down to check out New Buffalo and ended up eating at the Stray Dog. We had our 4 kids, so it was a family event. The place was very nice, although a little cold (winter). But the food was quite good. I tried the Perch Basket and found it to be well prepared. My wife had a Hamburger and thought it was great with lots of Blue Cheese. The kids meals were also quite good, but the cost did not include the drink which is always a bit of a bummer. But overall good place, good food, typical prices for this type of place and good for kids.

    (4)

  • John V.

    Delicious pizza. We had a bbq chicken pizza. Fits the beach town that it's in perfectly. Logo is like a scruffy version of the Black Dog Tavern from Martha's Vineyard, which is cute. Would definitely go back for lunch or dinner.

    (4)

  • Jamie M.

    My husband and I stopped in here while it was pouring rain in New Buffalo, after our massages. If it weren't our first anniversary, I would have like to have stayed at the Stray Dog all afternoon and night! I was a fun, busy atmosphere with friendly staff. They have enough TV's to watch the sports and a Golden Tee game to keep my husband happy.

    (4)

  • Em J.

    This place has multiple personalities. It is a different place, depending on when you are there.... e.g. time of day and season. I'm a bit conflicted with the place, I like it, I don't like it. Overall, I guess it is okay. Off-season this is a nice place to hang out and have a snack and or a drink. During peak season, I sometimes don't care for all the FIPS there, but a decent mix of locals helps to alleviate this. In the evenings the place is very different and seems to have a bit more of a club feel.... a club that can't quite make up its mind. I've been in there and really got into the party mode, but I've also been there and felt like I was back in college partying with the frat kids. What I do like is the selection of drinks. Nice beers on tap. Service is always good. And I like the view and the open feel of the place. Nothing better than sitting in there on a nice sunny day to have a beer and just relax after a long bike ride.

    (3)

  • William H.

    Best bar in New Buffalo... it has a rooftop deck, great food, live music and is generally just a good time. Stop in for lunch on the way to the beach or for a nice night out. Weekdays are much slower... but the staff is still friendly and I always have a great time...

    (5)

  • Kate X.

    Nice pub grub and beer selection. Family restaurant. Kitchen is fast.

    (3)

  • Linda R.

    We have been spending every weekend in NB for 12 years now and have eaten at The Stray Dog several times . . . mostly when we just want a quick late night sandwich within walking distance of our boat. The Stray Dog makes their money on tourists and yet you wouldn't know it by their customer service. Last year I bought a Stray Dog sweatshirt for my son in October but wanted to save it for a Christmas present. The young lady who helped me said that would be fine. If I had my receipt and the tags still on the shirt, returning wouldn't be a problem even the following Spring. Naturally the sweatshirt was too small so when I took it back in Feb to exchange for a larger size, a different young girl told me I only had 30 days to return it even if I didn't want my money back. When I told her what I was originally told, she was unrelenting so I asked for the name and # of the owner. About a week later I called the number I was given and the owner answered. When she found out why I was calling, she said that no one in her store would have told me that I could return it after 30 days and that the policy is posted on the wall, which I never saw and no one ever pointed to a sign. And then she reamed me out for calling on her cell phone, which I didn't know was her cell #. When I told her I was calling on the number her employee gave me, once again she said none of her employees would do that. So, how then did I get that number. For a business that relies on tourist trade, she had a strange way of showing it. The sweatshirt said "The Stray Dog" right on it so she knew it came from her store. I finally sold it to a friend for her son but will never buy any piece of clothing from them again and will tell as many people as possible what happened to me. I now choke when I think about eating in there.

    (1)

  • Amy D.

    Good food, staff's great. Drink are reasonable. We sat in the bar and had great service.

    (5)

  • L. R.

    I really like the Stray Dog. It's a fun place with a great atmosphere. Great salads, desserts and sandwiches. Great place for kids and teens alike.

    (4)

  • Adam W.

    Great atmosphere! Rooftop patio is the best place to enjoy a view of New Buffalo. Also, occasionally have live music here. Menu has a variety of pizzas, sandwiches, etc. Nothing too fancy, but a great place to grab lunch or dinner on any occasion.

    (4)

  • Anna P.

    I really loved this restaurant, though the name is not what you might associate good food with right away. My burger and cocktail were excellent. The decor was perfect as was the service. I have been to New Buffalo a few times (coming from Chicago) and have never really tried this place until this trip only because the name deterred me. It just goes to show never judge a book by its cover, or name as it were because I would highly recommend anyone go! It is so worthwhile. I am a tad disappointed that the upstairs outdoor rooftop deck is only for those 21 and over, however my family (2 young kids) were quite happy inside on the main floor.

    (5)

  • Rachael Z.

    What an amazing place! They have overcome so much, and I cannot WAIT to come back and visit now that Stray Dog is rebuilt! BEER - Selection is good and well-priced. Try some local varieties while you're here! FOOD - I've tried a few different things and haven't been disappointed. Even the salads were good! This IS still a bar, so it has a "bar-food" vibe to it, but it's delicious. SERVICE - Every time I've been here it's been slightly relaxed, but it may be because I've never been in a hurry.

    (5)

  • Julie T.

    My husband and I had our first date at The Stray Dog before it burned and today friends of ours took us back for the first time since then. It is as wonderful and more than it ever was. The drinks were amazing, the food was great, and the service is wonderful. I'm blown away at how it's the same as it was but way better! What a great experience!

    (4)

  • Kasia K.

    Had dinner here while on a business trip. Rooftop deck has a gorgeous view of the sunset. I had the Amber Ale "fat tire" and started with the artichoke spinach dip which was very yummy. Nice and hot with various veggies added in and the chips were great too. For dinner I had the tilapia fish tacos, coming from the Long Island fishing east coast the tilapia wasn't the greatest I've had but they were pretty good. I think having cabbage instead of lettuce would make them better. Side of guacomole was good too. You know it's a good restaurant when they make good guac. Atmosphere here is great and it's very lively and jovial. Service was on par. I would definitely come back to try more.

    (4)

  • Ellen K.

    Great fish taco and grouper sandwich for lunch. Sit on the rooftop deck for a great view.

    (5)

  • Drew S.

    My wife and I loved this place! So many summer nights on the rooftop patio with live music, good beer, and good apps. We were extremely saddened to loose our hangout due to the fire. So when we heard they were rebuilding, we watched and waited and marked opening night on the calendar. We've since, been back three times, all three times, we've been left with the same feelings. Amazing service, especially given the volume they're pushing through every night. The ambiance, not quite the same, we miss the old one. There was something to it not being brand spanking new, creaky wooden steps going up to the rooftop, a lot of other little things. It felt homely in a way. Now it's too fresh, too new. It's lost some of that amazing character. The food... This is where something went horribly wrong! I don't know what happened to the kitchen staff after the fire, but the food has suffered dramatically! The sriracha chicken sliders, one of our favorite finger foods ever! Now, I won't order then because they're no where near what they used to be. I want to remember them in a good light, the guac was never amazing but something has gone wrong here again. My Reuben, not bad, but again, not what it once was. We miss the old Stray Dog! Hope something changes for the better. For now we will wait to try it again. But we will definitely give it time before we return.

    (3)

  • Mike R.

    Happy, upbeat, lively and fun. Second time here and always a good time. Great atmosphere, great drinks and food. Reasonably priced and well worth the wait. We were here two years ago during the fire. Yes during the fire! The staff were helpful and all were evacuated. Staff made sure all guests were safe. We return to great food and a great new stray dog. The place is bright, fun, loud and energizing. The food is reasonably priced. I had the BBQ chicken which was tender and fell off the bone. My wife had the guacamole BLT which was excellent. The drinks were fantastic. Try the frozen "blue wave" or the "lemon heaven" both were delicious and no skimping on the alcohol. A definite visit while in New Buffalo!

    (4)

  • Lucy W.

    Great food - we had the nachos and potstickers as appetizers (yum on both counts). For the main course we had steak salad, blackened chicken pita, pizza and a kids chicken strips. Everybody loved their food. The steak salad was a unique mix of flavors - walnuts, blue cheese, mushrooms & onions - that were great, I thought. The menu isn't expansive or fancy - this is basic bar & grill stuff, but they do it well. Our server was attentive, despite how busy it was, and always kept our drinks filled. The atmosphere is clean and fun. My husband ventured upstairs to check out the Rooftop area and says we need to go back sans kids sometime. He was especially impressed that they have heat lamps up there so that even with the breeze coming off the lake you can keep warm. The view, of course, is great. The only big downside to this place is that the wait can be ridiculously long - an hour on a week-night in the summer, easily. So come early, put in your name and then do a little shopping or take a walk. It's in a great area down by the water so it's a pleasant enough place to hang out, and they text you when your table is ready, so you can wander quite a distance.

    (4)

  • Amanda B.

    I used to work here years ago, so I know first hand how the managers really train their staff on how to give great service and it really shows! The server will consistently check on you/your table and make sure you are having a great dining experience and you will never have an empty glass or dirty plate on your table. The rooftop and live bands make for an lively experience in the summer! Great service, fun atmosphere, and best food around with a great menu selection!

    (5)

  • Mel Q.

    Fish tacos are a must! The Ahi tuna tacos are ok, but a little too salty. No reservations, and the wait time was 1hr45, but we were seated sooner. This was Memorial Day weekend and the Blackhawks were playing, so the place was a hot-spot. Definitely recommend this place it's clean, comfortable, fun, and the food was good.

    (4)

  • Sandra C.

    A bit disappointed in my mahi mahi fish tacos. Not authentic and very bland, not much of a punch with flavors. Very basic for $15 bucks not worth it for me, didn't hit the spot. However service was good atmosphere was beautiful and the rest of the 5 pp with me were very happy with there food!

    (4)

  • Mel F.

    Everything about this place was fabulous... from the atmosphere to the menu and the service. Its located in a really pretty area, just off the beach. They have pictures of dogs posted everywhere, its really cutesy. The rooftop bar is probably really nice, but it was too foggy/chilly/rainy when we were in town to experience it. Bummer. I loved the kale salad and my husband loved the fish tacos! I thought the "gear" was really cute, but I could not bring myself to pay $30 for a t-shirt. We loved this place so much for dinner we came back for lunch!

    (5)

  • Karen G.

    Stopped on a weekday night for a few drinks. Very friendly bar tenders, nice selection of midwest beer and others- lke Left Hand Milk Stout. The bar tender gave us a free taste fof a few of the selections. About half a highball glass full. The bar area was spacious and pleasant. I would stop in again for a drink.

    (3)

  • Katie S.

    Best cheeseburger around! Their salsa is fresh and must try! Great atmosphere, bar and rooftop is fun in summertime. Cobb salad is also tasty!

    (5)

  • Timothy H.

    Little on the pricey side for what it is.

    (3)

  • Joseph B.

    The fish tacos definitely lived up to the hype. Guac, was just as good. Great service, excellent food. Just be sure to check the price on drafts before ordering too many ;)

    (5)

  • Nancy B.

    Very welcoming atmosphere. Nicely decorated. Women's bathroom was very clean that really says a lot to me!! I had the Mahi Mahi fish tacos they weren't the best I have ever had but they were good. My husband had the bacon wrapped deep fried hotdog it was delicious! ! A great place to go to! We will be back!

    (4)

  • Bobblehead B.

    Really enjoy the laid back atmosphere and attentive staff. The place makes you feel welcome when you walk in the door. Food is perfect for the place. Not pricey and satisfying.

    (4)

  • Lynn M.

    My husband and I were here for a late lunch on a Sunday afternoon . The food was excellent as was the service. Football games were on but the noise level wasn't outrageous , you could still hold a conversation without screaming! I would highly recommend it and will return when in the area again !

    (5)

  • Amy H.

    The Stray Dog is a must stop for us when we are in New Buffalo - today was our first time since the fire and rebuild and it did not disappoint. The rooftop deck is definitely worth five stars. (Note - it's 21 and over so no kids, but the rest of the place is kid-friendly). It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon and the place we packed. We checked in at the hostess stand on the deck and was told it would be a 45 minute wait (with their new system, you provide your cell number and they text when your table is ready). We wandered over to the bar and quickly found seats in their new little seating area. We ordered drinks and next thing we knew our table was ready - about a 10 minute wait instead of the quoted 45. Our server Jeremy was great. The place was packed and he was running around like crazy. We opted just for drinks and appetizers. Our selections included the Queso Fundido and Siraccha Chicken Sliders. The queso was a bit of a surprise. We were expecting the traditional white queso cheese dip with chorizo served with tortilla chips based on the description, but it was a cast iron square dish of cheese melted over crumbled chorizo, topped with poblanos and served with four small corn tortillas. Definitely not your standard dip, but good nonetheless. The sliders were fried chicken tossed in a sirachha buffalo sauce with bleu cheese, bacon and frizzled onions. Spicy, but good! I think the food tends to be a little pricey for what you get (Queso was $8, sliders were $9 for 3, beers start at $4 and cocktails at $7). The atmosphere is worth it - great views and comfortable seating from the rooftop. Better than ever!

    (4)

  • Kaleen F.

    I absolutely loved the homemade jalapeno poppers, they are my favorite of all times. I had a Reuben sandwich, loved the sandwich but next time I will tell them to ease up on the buttered toast/grilled however they do it. The rooftop view is ok, but very romantic no matter how long you have been together.

    (4)

  • Kristin N.

    My boyfriend and I visited here while we were on a short weekend getaway and the atmosphere was great and the food was delicious. We will be back the next time we're in New Buffalo.

    (4)

  • Stephanie G.

    We had dinner here this week. We loved the decor and use of lighting. Super cute place. We had dinner on the roof deck, bring bug spray if it's nighttime! Boyfriend actually ran to store to get some for us Mosquitos were so bad. The food I would say was just average. Nothing to write home about. We would come back though next time we're in New Buffalo because we really enjoyed the food deck and ambiance. It's worth checking out for sure.

    (4)

  • Eric T.

    Been coming to Stray Dog for many years. Liked it before the fire, and just visited for the first time since the fire. Well, it is still GREAT! The menu is plentiful, the staff is friendly, and the ambiance is good. I gave 4/5 because of 2 reasons: 1) the decor is good, and kept close to the old Stray Dog, but I expected something more updated 2) prices are a bit high. Fish tacos for $14 is a bit much Otherwise all was great, especially the Pizza #3! Definitely recommend!

    (4)

  • Katrina D.

    Cute atmosphere, lots of staff, okay food. The place is geared towards families and is really big. Tons of kid friendly foods. The prices are good for what you're getting. I had the fish tacos which weren't very flavorful, so skip those. Definitely stop here if you have kids. The place is designed for you. If you're going out for a night on the town, the roof top deck is a nice getaway for the 21+ set.

    (3)

  • Allison B.

    This place was pretty good. I really enjoyed the rooftop bar/dining area and the cocktail I had was amazing! They also have a decent beer selection on tap as well. The food was a little expensive, but quite tasty. Our server was very nice and attentive. My only real complaint was my ahi tuna... Just like another reviewer stated, it wasn't seared but more grey and mine had so much wasabi on it that it killed much of the wonderful flavor of the tuna. If they would turn up the grill a bit when searing it would have made it look more appealing for sure. My husbands hamburger looked great and he left an empty plate. If we are back in the area I would definitely come back, even if just for drinks!

    (4)

  • Chelsea K.

    I want to love the Stray Dog. I love anything dog related, and when you mix in human food and beautiful scenery...it should be a no brainer. My first experience with the Stray Dog was ordering takeout during the great polar vortex. I stopped in to pick-up the food and fell in love with the decor and ambiance. My friend and I ordered a lot of food, and it wasn't cheap. Nothing was memorable enough for me to even know what we got anymore, except for a $12 kale salad that literally had maybe 7 pieces of kale in it. We thought the container they put it in was for condiments because it was SO SMALL. I wrote it off as not having the dine in experience and gave them a second chance recently when I was in the area (and we heard there was a new chef). I went back with a group of 5. We ordered the pull and peel shrimp as well as the buffalo shrimp as an app. Both were good and I liked how the buffalo shrimp, even though breaded, weren't too heavy. I ordered the mahi tacos for my meal and they were some of the worst fish tacos I've ever had. The tortilla tasted stale, the fish was incredibly dry (almost unedible), and all of the toppings were very generic/bland/tasted like they were out of a bag. My friend who got a fish sandwich was equally disappointed in everything from the bun to the fish. Others in my group did enjoy their meal. I want to love this place so badly, but I feel like my food was inexcusable and I don't like places where you have to "know what's good" to enjoy your meal. I would only give the Stray Dog another chance if it was to grab a drink (their Bloody Mary's look mighty fancy) and maybe munch on one appetizer.. Btw- I added one star for the awesome dog photos everywhere.

    (3)

  • Sohp F.

    Absolutely love this place! I'm a local and we come all summer long! They have a gorgeous roof top, kind service, and of course best of all, Awesome food! Definitely recommend it!

    (5)

  • Jim K.

    This place has it all. A cool "gear" store, a nice bar, an awesome rooftop bar, and killer food. We are often told that our wait will be an hour +, and as my daughter tells me "dad, it's totally worth it." so we wait. I recommend the fish tacos, steak salad, or the pizza. My daughter recommends the hot dog. Go figure wait in line for an hour for a hot dog. But it's worth it. Cool place in a hot city. Great place to unwind after a day of boating or beaching.

    (4)

  • Charis R.

    Great spot close to the beach! The hubby and I went here for lunch during our weekend getaway to New Buffalo. There were tons of good options on the menu, but after much deliberating I eventually chose the ahi tuna sandwich, which was delicious. Great quality tuna and yummy avocado, which they were quite generous with. The fries and cocktail that I had were great too (I forget the name of the drink, but it was bright blue and very tropical- a very beach-appropriate choice). We ate on the roof deck (which is 21+), and it was a great atmosphere. I wish we could have eaten here more than once! If we make it back to New Buffalo at some point in the future, this will be our first stop!

    (5)

  • JR W.

    Good location, raving apparel shop, decent food, cool upstairs bar. The upstairs bar and dining is nice to get away from the loud hustle and bustle of families rolling through new buff. Pretty basic food and drinks here, it's all about that location, location, location and beach vibes. Best place for drinks in new buff area!

    (4)

  • Dave K.

    Went once and will go back again for sure. This place has the big three covered, good food, nice ambiance, and good service. I went at noon as soon as they opened and things got hopping quick so recommend getting a reservation if they offer them.

    (4)

  • Pete S.

    Oh wow! We were just passing through & looked on YELP for a place to eat. Wife chose this one. What a great choice. I asked our waitress about a dark beer on draft. She suggested "Founders Dirty B@stard". It's a local beer. Wife took a sip and she had to order one. Really smooth an good. Wife had the Cobb salad. She really liked it. I had the grouper sandwich. It was amazing. The service was great. The store was clean. We will return when in the area.

    (4)

  • Valerie R.

    Meh... Frozen burger patties :/ Tons of tomato and lettuce on the fish tacos. The chicken sliders are good. The staff was super friendly. Cool rooftop.

    (3)

  • John C.

    We were there last night. It was very busy, so we had a little wait. Just an excuse to enjoy an adult beverage. The wait staff was very friendly and attentive. We had a meal of appetizers that were very well prepared and arrived about the time we finished our first round. We sat upstairs on the deck. It was really nice. When the sun went down, the staff fired up the heaters, and took the chill off. All in all a great night, made even better by good food, good beer and good service. We will be back.

    (4)

  • Kinnari A.

    Good pub food, full bar, and outdoor seating. Perfect place to eat in a beach town. My turkey burger and fries were awesome :)

    (4)

  • S S.

    The rooftop bar is the reason to go to this place. It is the only rooftop bar in the area. The food is very good. During the summer on the weekends, it is very difficult to get a table downstairs. If you are over 21, go straight to the rooftop bar. Don't waste your time downstairs.

    (4)

  • Mark B.

    WOW - Best service in New Buffalo ! Great food , cold drinks and friendly service ! Try to sit on the roof and watch the sun set! Great job guys

    (5)

  • Phil N.

    What a great place! First time there and now plan to go back again even though it's about a 1 hour drive from home.

    (5)

  • Jennifer N.

    Good food and atmosphere. Food was a little slow, but tasty so it was worth the wait. Nice choice of drinks and food. The seafood selections are pretty good too!

    (4)

  • Nick K.

    SInce the remodel aka the building burned down the restaurant looks fantastic!! Plus the rooftop bar dining area gives you a great view of the lake and the occasional boat passing by. Decent food nothing to write home about. Have had quite a few different items and all though im never disappointed im never taken aback. Still great option for food after a day at the beach.

    (3)

  • Amanda F.

    I soley go here for the handmade jalapeno poppers. They are so amazing, however the rest of the food isn't worth what you pay for. BUT, if you go for lunch, they have some good lunch specials at a great price. I get it, they capitalize on the location and the tourism there, but for someone more local to the area I feel there are better options.

    (3)

  • M S.

    first - the renovations make the space incredibly open and enjoyable - no matter how crowded it gets! Burgers are always a winner at Stray Dog - but must try some of the new items -- chopped kale salad, shrimp summer rolls, grilled grouper sandwich, blackened chicken pita and seared ahi salad are all amazingly fresh and delicious. Try the tacos too!!

    (5)

  • Mojgan A.

    The location is great, but food and service is something to be desired. They charge $6 for chips and salsa, then they give you small cup of salsa. Then they charge you another $1 to give you a little more. Service was not very good either. Good iced tea

    (2)

  • Leanne A.

    We used Yelp on a recent spontaneous trip through New Buffalo on our way back home, and better yet, on my birthday. The Yelp reviews looked good enough for a visit and I'm glad we decided to stop. The location is fabulous (although parking can be difficult). It is on a quaint street very (very) new the beach (which we stopped by after eating). The restaurant is decorated nicely and had one of the cleanest bathrooms I have ever seen in a restaurant with played options starting below $25/plate. The dining area we sat in was LOUD! Terribly hard to carry a conversation but it was OK with a because we were dining with my 5 and 2 year old, so we can appreciate (and tolerate) noise. If we were on a date night I would have been annoyed. The views are pretty though I'm sure much better on the roof (only accessible for the 21+ crowd). The food was GReAT! I am a humus fanatic and their appetizer featuring it was great, and more than enough for 4 to share. The Reuben was large and delicious, my mom and husband enjoyed their dogs and the kids thought the quesadillas were better than at the Mexican joint near our house. How to make it a five star review?? 1. Chill with the sass if you're a server. Ours was either having a bad day or truly hated her job, either way it was really uncomfortable for us. That shouldn't stop you from visiting though!!!

    (4)

  • Dan G.

    Bow wow. The Stray Dog is due it's update and upgrade. Thankfully they are now smoke free. That was really my biggest complaint here. Well, that problem has been solved. The top deck patio is the place to be on a nice night. You get a great view of the marina and the lake. Along with the patio at Bentwood, it's probably my favorite setting in the area. We've only been here for lunch so I can't speak of the nightime vibe, though I'm pretty sure it's one of the better places to be. I usually end up getting a burger (I like the blue cheese bacon one) or some bbq, my wife always has a salad or pizza and is always happy with them. What makes Stray Dog one of our favorite places around is that they have a kickass beer list. You'll find all of the local stars from Michigan breweries here. Bell's two hearted and Oberon, Founders Dirty Bastard, and occasionally some Round Barns. It's a great place for a pint, or 14 ouncer on the deck.

    (4)

  • Clayton D.

    Our first night in Michigan and we all were starving after a long drive. So, in taking a quick look what was neat the house, we all settled on The Stray Dog. There was about a 30 minute wait when we arrived but we took the girls to look at the Marina so the time flew bye. Once our party of ten was seated, the service was great! Not to mention they had a great selection of beers on tap including Dogfish that we just can't get in St. Louis which is a joke. I went with a Cheesesteak which was really good as it had a lot of peppers, onions and mushrooms. My wife went with the Southwest chicken salad which she liked but she thought it was a bit too spicy. The girls had the normal kid fare of corndogs and chomped them down. It was a nice, easy spot for dinner especially after a long drive.

    (4)

  • Ana A.

    Let's start with the good, shall we? I had a superbly made Dark and Stormy at the Stray Dog. However, I waited about 25 minutes and four visits from our singularly vapid server before I received my drink. She apparently didn't notice that I had joined my three friends at the table the first two times she dropped by to throw their drinks at them before running away. When she finally did grace me with her presence long enough to get my drink order, she ran away again before I could ask for food. Hungry and at this point pretty annoyed, I decided to down my drink and depart to find food elsewhere. But surprise, surprise... our server was again M.I.A. After a brief search I found the girl flirting for tips (obviously... hopefully) with a table of gross, middle aged, mid-life-crisis-convertable-driving type men. She actually rolled her eyes at me when I asked for my check! The Stray Dog's in luck, though, because customer service like this is standard in New Buffalo... a town apparently run by jaded college drop-outs.

    (2)

  • Katherine T.

    A friendly, fun place to go to for lunch or dinner! I always make a point to go there at least once when I'm in town and it never disappoints. Their drinks are delicious and I've never had a bad meal there. Although it usually gets busy so if you plan to go there, call ahead and check the waiting time.

    (5)

  • Shaun H.

    First off I live in town, so this place is not a weekend hot spot or "quant small town gem" to me. Its a restaurant.... Today was the first time returning since the fire and rebuild. Decor is a little different, nothing big has changed. menu is still the same no huge changes there. Food and service are much to be desired thou. Pre made, out of a can tasting food. The wait staff must be decedents from royalty. " I hate to bother you miss " as she turns and walks away. Suck it up now during the summer Stray Dog, milk those out of towners. Because when cold hits and the FIPs stop coming, all you'll have is the people who live here... And you have nothing we want!

    (1)

  • Devon W.

    This place was nice! Just off the water in New Buffalo. The perfect setting for my friends and I had a great time drinking and eating all their food. The best part about it was the ambiance/view. The food was ok, nothing special, but good quality and tasty. I ordered a cheeseburger and it was juicy and delicious. The fries were pretty good too. Drinks - Strong, made quickly, moderately priced. The restaurant itself seemed clean, well-organized, and ran like a well-oiled machine. I would definitely recommend it to people visiting New Buffalo who are looking for dinner/drinks in a fun, upbeat atmosphere. Downside (totally not their fault) - Mosquitos...

    (4)

  • Brien A.

    Couldn't wait to get back up to New Buffalo and check out the new and improved Stray Dog. Holy cow! The place is absolutely beautiful! They did a fantastic job on the rebuild. Since we had the kids with we didn't dine on the roof top but we did go up for a look see. It is equally beautiful. We will leave the kids behind next time. Ok so the place looks killer how about the food? Well everything we had was seriously good! Let me see if I can remember it all. Fish tacos, buffalo chicken wraps, pizza, burgers, pork sliders and the buffalo fries. We all shared bites and all agreed everything was great. So great we went twice in two days. The beer selection is great. Next time back I plan on parking my butt at the awesome new bar and trying some more beers. The staff was just great. Everyone seemed to be having fun and enjoying their jobs. And when I say everyone I mean they have a buttload of employees and they were all very pleasant and just having a good time. Like others said the wait can be a bit long but it's so nice and the food is so good it's well worth it. Can't wait to go back! Thanks Stray Dog for rebuilding better than ever!

    (5)

  • Jordan U.

    They should have burned the place to the ground a long time ago because "The Dog" has come back better than ever! Caveat: If you are visiting the Stray Dog on a weekend in the summer be prepared to wait. There are plenty of other great places to dine in Harbor Country but given the location and reputation of The Stray Dog it gets incredibly crowded and parking right down by the lake is difficult. That being said, the place is really great. Since two of our three were at camp we only had our little guy and four adults. We were seated relatively quickly for The Dog and service was friendly and prompt. Food seems to be a bit improved with the new rebuilt surroundings. I'm not sure if the menu was actually expanded or what but I felt like they had a wider selection than they did before the fire. I had a blackened chicken pita that was cooked perfectly and others at the table had salads and sandwiches. Everything was great and there were clean plates all around. Even the kids meal (corndogs for the little guy) were well done. All in all, we would have gone back before but now with the fresh new digs you have to visit The Stray Dog.

    (4)

  • Ted M.

    I came to the Stray Dog looking for two things: delicious food and a fun outdoor bar. Upon leaving, I'd say I was batting .500. I ordered the El Diablo burger and was expecting a spicy, flavorful burger. Unfortunately, I ended up with a Sam's Club quality burger patty that had some mundane sauce and a few jalpenos sprinkled in. The burger was especially disappointing in light of the fact that I had just been to Redamak's (5 Stars) a few days earlier. However, the atmosphere of the restaurant saved the experience for me. I was up on the rooftop bar on a sunny day that was mid 70's. There are tiki lights strung up around the tables and music paying in the background. It is a very fun place to sit and have a couple of drinks. In closing, the Bar part of the Stray Dog was 5 stars and the Grill was 1.

    (3)

  • Daniel L.

    Positives: Food is great. Atmosphere bright and theme is fun. Service is friendly. Negatives: Metal chairs at the round tops are almost tortuously uncomfortable. There's hardly a veggie on the menu (salads and potatoes don't count).

    (4)

  • Greg L.

    This place burned to the ground last year. Now it is back. So far, better than before. Though the rooftop deck was closed last week, so the final verdict is yet to be decided. The hostess takes your name and phone number if you have to wait and they will text you when your table is ready. This is a big improvement over loud speakers or yelling over the crowd to find the people who are ready to be seated. I had a turkey burger, it was delicious. The veggie tacos looked great as well. There are lots of beers on tap, including some local. There is a small parking lot in back, but turnover is high and there are spots on the street for all the shops in the area.

    (4)

  • Laura B.

    We took refuge here during the great snowpacolypse of 2014. Even though it was empty we received impeccable service. The food was served piping hot. Perfect thing to warm us up! Lots of options for vegetarians like myself. I settled on a veggie burger with cheddar, BBQ sauce and caramelized onions, though the veggie tacos looked delicious! The best part of this restaurant is the gorgeous decor! I will be spending the next two weeks trying to figure out how to make those tree branch lights for my own home. Just lovely ambiance!

    (5)

  • Erika C.

    Location, location, location! Steps away from the public beach in New Buffalo. Organized, friendly, decent pub grub. Not the best food ever but a good burger and a good server go a long way when you are wet, sandy, hungry and primarily Thirsty. We choose this place again and again for a quick bite after our beachy summer days.

    (4)

  • Jon N.

    My wife and I took the day to drive up into southwestern Michigan. We ended up in New Buffalo and based on some friends' recommendation we went to the Stray Dog. It was an awesome day outside so we ate upstairs! I ordered pizza #1, a combination of sausage, pepperoni, onions, and tomatoes. I could tell they made the crust from scratch and the sauce was very good. I was very happy with my choice. My wife on the other hand ordered the mahi maui sandwich which we loved as well. It came with mango salsa which could have had a bit more mango flavor but overall she would order it again. I'm not sure what the complaints are about the place. We thought the food was great and the service was outstanding. What I would give for upcoming winter days where I could sit outside in 75 degree weather looking at the harbor....

    (4)

  • Heather L.

    Really great beach side restaurant/bar. We ate at the bar as the wait was a gazzillion hours in the restaurant. Quick service. Bright open space. Hopping on a Sunday afternoon in the summer. Probably my favorite of the tourist restaurants in the area. As it is brand new, it has a slightly more upscale feel than some of the divey burger places. Not sure I would want my kids with me in the crowded bar but for a group of adults just off the wine trail, it was perfect.

    (5)

  • Marie S.

    Typically I review on the food and the service and had I just been doing that, I would only give The Stray Dog two stars because while the food was some of the best lunch food we've ever had, the service was by far, the worst service we've ever had. We pulled in the parking area(actually got a spot right off the street) and noticed there was a teenager who was sitting in a little lifeguard-looking stand, watching over the lot. We had our yellow lab in the car, so we offered him a few bucks to make sure nobody stole our car that we left running (and unlocked) to keep the dog comfortable. We were seated within a few minutes (would have been seated sooner at a high top table, but with a toddler with us, we couldn't do that). Then, it seemed as if we were forgotten about. When the waitress finally showed up, flustered looking and apologetic after a good ten minutes, we were ready to order. We placed our orders and another ten minutes later she brought our waters to the table, sans straws (hard to get a toddler to drink out of a cup with a lid when there is no straw). We finally got our food, and my fries and grouper were tasty, but lukewarm and the toddler's food was scorching hot, as was his plate. Hubby ordered the Maui burger and said it was by far, the best burger he's ever had anywhere. Toddler's corn dogs and fries were great once we got them cooled down and my grouper and fries were tasty. When I asked for napkins and silverware, she looked at me like I had a third head and made a snarky comment about how that was the hostess' job and not hers. She never came back to refill our drinks, disappeared for the majority of the meal. The table of four ladies next to us was asked by the manger if all was okay and they explained that that waitress was the worst they have ever had and the manager promptly took over taking care of them. I wish she would have asked us the same thing :-( I asked for my check and I kid you not, it took 15 minutes to get it!!!! I was watching my clock. For being a tourist town, they need to get their crap together with their service so that people who are passing through like us that want to stop and see the water, actually have time to see the water after eating, not waste 90 minutes at lunch.

    (3)

  • Amy B.

    I love The Stray Dog! Every time I visit New Buff I usually find myself here several times. The new rooftop bar is even better than before. If you're in the mood for some really good pub food...make sure to stop by the Stray Dog. And across the street is the Gear Shop. I HIGHLY recommend the sweat pants. I have several pairs.

    (5)

  • Jamie M.

    Highly recommend the southwest egg rolls so good! Everything we had was good. Get a flight of beer to sample. Our waiter was excellent

    (4)

  • Paula S.

    Busy busy day! Husband and I sat at the bar and were promptly waited on and told we could eat our meal at the bar! We were given the best of service and our meals were served to us hot and tasty. The noise level was a bit too much, otherwise I can't wait to visit again!

    (4)

  • Alexa E.

    Enjoyed a visit to the Stray Dog over the weekend on a visit to see family in New Buffalo. The Stray Dog reopened a few weeks ago due to a fire and subsequent rebuild... Wow, they did a fabulous job! Atmosphere/Decor: I would describe the Stray Dog as a modern-clean-crisp-beachy restaurant. The main restaurant is open, simple and clean while the rooftop deck is equipped with a bar, small seating area, and cafe tables with umbrellas. Service: Everyone is friendly, kind, and attentive. There was a 25 minute wait for rooftop seating, so we grabbed a beer at the bar. Bartender was helpful in providing a beer list and sample! Once seated (you receive a text once your seat is available) we were greeted by our waitress who was a very bubbly girl with a decent amount of knowledge on the menu. Upon leaving, we asked someone at the downstairs host stand where the name "Stray Dog" came from and they were happy to share the story with us.... [The owners rescued a stray dog and named him Jack, soon after they decided to open a restaurant and chose the name "Stray Dog" as it would be more catchy than a place named "Jack's". Additionally, the owner's daughter runs her own rescue shelter, on select days during the year all proceeds from Stray Dog t-shirt sales go to the rescue shelter. How cool is that??] Drinks: Cocktails are made with fresh ingredients, but a bit steep in price. The boyfriend ordered a margarita which was served in a short glass and cost $12, just a bit costly. The beer list is great; decent selection of craft beers. Food: We started with the hummus appetizer plate; the hummus is definitely made in house, it's absolutely delicious, as are the warm pita bread pieces.... Yumm!! Next, I ordered the BBQ pulled pork sandwich (w/caramelized onions, per my request) which came with fries and pickles. The meat was so tender and flavorful, the sauce was very tasty, and the fries were fresh and crisp. The boyfriend ordered the Ahi Tuna sandwich w/fries, which he enjoyed every bite! Overall: What a great place!! Awesome atmosphere (and location), Awesome food, Great service! The Stray Dog is a must when you're in New Buffalo!!

    (5)

  • EB H.

    Very Tasty! we came back from vacationing in mi and this was a great way to end our trip! I'm super happy that they recovered from the fire and are back and running. They have a really nice system of texting you a web address where you can see how many parties are ahead of you which is awesome! I haven't been to the original stray dog but the new one totally looks like it could have been redone by Resturant Impossible!The location is awesome and the decor is cute and rustic. The jalapeno poppers were delish! I got the El Diablo burger and it was fantastic! We will definitely come back!

    (4)

  • Pearl T.

    Cute place. Love the ambiance, drinks and food. Came here several times (with hubby and four year old) in the evening and sat in the indoor patio. Their ginger margaritas are awesome! Apparently they make their own ginger simple syrup for it. We've had burgers here which never disappoint. The little man usually gets the chicken strips, which he likes... I like the fact that they are actual breast pieces.

    (5)

  • Lisa R.

    My husband and I had lunch here today, once again amazing! Be prepared to wait for a table, there is always (seriously, always) a wait! That means it's great right? Open airy atmosphere in the bar area where we love to sit. Drinks are reasonably priced and wonderful! Upscale bar menu type food, sandwiches, salads, pizzas. Top notch server! Hubs loves the fish tacos and I had a pizza (#3 with portabella mushrooms, spinach, roasted tomato, roasted garlic and white sauce). Very very good. The only reason I gave it 4 instead of 5 stars is that the place is LOUD! Always. High ceilings mean the sound carries throughout and also the allow kids to dine in the bar area. That to me is odd and because they have other seating areas for families so to me the tables in the bar should be for adults in my humble opinion so we can have an adult day out! Other than that we love this place and will be back soon!

    (4)

  • Elaine M.

    I know this place is really for the weekend tourist but I still really like it. It has a fun, "hey, we're all here for a beach weekend" vibe. Located a block from the beach you know people are coming in for a bite of lunch and maybe to escape the heat for a moment - well at least we were. Pretty basic grill food. Burgers and such. We started our meal by sharing a plate of "Stray Dog Veggies" - this is your basic vegetable tray with ranch dressing for dipping. A nice way to begin lunch. To drink, I ordered half lemonade half ice tea. It was not very good, very weak flavored however they did keep it filled. For lunch I had the Windward burger and my husband the standard cheeseburger. The Windward came with guacamole and colby jack cheese. Both plates came with fries. The burgers were very good with that nice smokey grill flavor. The standout item however was the Sunset Shrimp - chilled shrimp smothered in spicy gazpacho topped with guacamole, that our friend ordered. It was packed with shrimp and delicious. Cute t-shirts sold here too!

    (4)

  • Anthony C.

    The Stray Dog is the Michigan equivalent of Popeye's in Lake Geneva, WI - which is to say it's a tourist destination for Chicago vacationers and day trippers. This is confirmed by the stand alone Gear Shop across the street that sells t-shirts, sweatshirts, hats, glasses, stickers, etc., etc. The rebuild after the fire is nice - clean, bright and cozy. The rooftop dining is probably very nice in the summer but I'm sure there's a wait. Food is always consistent and good; portions are very generous and prices are reasonable. The service last time was very good and the waitress let us sample a few beers before buying. And now on to the beer, which is why I knocked off a star on my review. Even though the Stray Dog has probably 20 beers on tap - besides the mediocre Stella - they are all US craft beers. This seems to be a disturbing trend, especially in Michigan. I have nothing against IPAs, Coffee Stouts, Porters, etc. - but there seems to be a new microbrewery popping up every day making pretty much the same thing. Even the wineries in the area are starting to open brew pubs - what's up with that? Bottom line - give me a couple of quality German or Austrian pilsners to choose from and enjoy - not another craft brewed ale with a goofy name that is the only way to distinguish it from someone else.

    (3)

  • Fran W.

    This place is a great stop on the way to Chicago! Good food, good staff, good atmosphere! We stopped in during the off season in February and it was busy just like I bet it would be in the summer. Definitely recommend this place

    (5)

  • Carly L.

    We came back to the Stray Dog while back in Michigan this week. I had the chicken tacos and my husband had the fish tacos. They were pretty darn good. His tacos had a sauce on them. I thought mine could have used the same sauce for a lil kick. Also, it would have been nice if they were served with rice or something of that matter. But, this is always a safe bet when coming into New Buffalo.

    (4)

  • C M J.

    What a fun place! EXCELLENT SERVICE! Local Michiganders, we thought we would visit before the beach crowds arrived - the place was still packed! Appetizers were just OK to me, -the raspberry dipping sauce that came with the SW egg rolls was especially good. As Guy Fieri would say, "you could put that on a flip-flop and it would be good." Fish tacos and pulled pork sliders came recommended by server and were truly enjoyed. Really good fries. Agree with Amanda about service - above and beyond. We will definitely be back.

    (4)

  • Erica A.

    Such a cool restaurant. Food was delicious. Fun atmosphere. Will definitely return. Kids enjoyed all of the pics of dogs.

    (5)

  • Martha M.

    First visit since they rebuilt. Great service and great food in relaxed atmosphere. Had the southwest salad and bacon lettuce tomato sandwich. Large portions. Look forward to dining on the rooftop when the weather gets warmer.

    (5)

  • Chris M.

    This was a great find in New Buffalo Michigan. The weather was perfect out and was a great day to sit on the big outside deck on second floor. You could see the lake through the trees. When it got a little chilly out at night they put the heating lamps on immediately. The service was great and so was the food. The Chinese chicken salad was excellent and huge portion and my husband loved the fish tacos. The wine by the glass was reasonably priced. The beer selection is great too. The inside of the restaurant looked nice. We loved this establishment and will be back.

    (5)

  • David N.

    Very enjoyable first and second visit this past weekend. Service was a bit sketchy at first, maybe they smelled out-of-towners. After the initial settling in period, we seemed to find our niche. Two visits recently netted a superb beer selection and some fantastic pizza. Seriously, their pizza was exquisite. We grabbed a spinach, garlic, tomato pizza and were blown away. Followed that up with their Greek style (kalamata olives, feta, red onions) which was an instant favorite. Not many places can you guzzle Three Floyds, Bell's, Founders, and nosh on pizza worthy of uncontrollable drool. If you're visiting family, checking out Four Winds or Blue Chip, stop here and grab some pizza and beers. It WILL be worth it.

    (5)

  • jennifer d.

    Maybe a good place to go if you want to have cocktails and some greasy bar food on a rooftop patio. This place is definitely quantity over quality. Good place to go with kids as it is very kid friendly and LOUD! Don't expect very good food though.

    (3)

  • Jen M.

    We just got back to our hotel from a fabulous experience at the Stray Dog Bar and Grill. The atmosphere was fun and even played music that I enjoy listening to (this doesn't happen often). Our server was a fantastic help to us. As we were looking through the menu, we found ourselves having a very difficult time making choices as everything sounded so great. Our server was able to offer her suggestions from her own experiences with the food at Stray Dog. We ended up ordering the nachos and a pizza. The nachos were generously portioned with tons of toppings. The pizza we chose was their #6: a green pizza (pesto sauce) with feta and mozzarella, kalamata olives, red onions, and oven dried tomatoes. It was FANTASTIC! The best way to sum up our experience is this: the food was so good that we brought our leftovers back to our hotel room and are trying to keep them in a sink of ice so that we can eat them tomorrow. I would definitely come back to the Stray Dog on future trips to the area.

    (5)

  • Rashi R.

    If you are looking for a wonderful place to have a cold drink and warm delicious food.....this is the spot! I spent the day with friends the entire afternoon on the rooftop enjoying lunch and drinks! Amazing service by Ondi! Thank you Ondi for making our day! Enjoy!

    (5)

  • Jim V.

    If you're in New buffalo and want to go out, this is the place to do it. Usually very lively inside, and typically live music and dancing. There was a fire last summer, and it is set to open June 27, 2013

    (4)

  • Starr T.

    Your not going to get a bad meal here, the Fish Tacos are amazing. Great staff, ambiance, location. It's really a great place.

    (5)

  • Nichole C.

    This is my third time at The Stray Dog and I have yet to be disappointed. The place is big so there's always a seat somewhere, it's kitschy yet also has beautiful trees and lights up around the bar and the fireplace (and it HAS a fireplace...), has a great view of the lake, has great food (GREAT FOOD!), and is a purveyor of fine MI craft brews (ummm...Huma-Lupa-Licious, will you marry me?). What more could you ask for? OH! And for those of you who are craving Stray Dog gear, there is not only a counter in the restaurant but there is also a WHOLE STORE across the street that sells everything Stray Dog. Boom. Go there.

    (5)

  • Lorna M.

    Great place to people watcha while sitting at the bar. Wings are good, French onion soup is very good. Spinach Artichoke dip leaves a lot to be desired. Not spinachy or artichokey at all and at $8.00, it would be nice. Husband likes the selection of Draft Craft beers. Mixed drinks are good.

    (3)

  • James T.

    Ever since the rebuild this place has grown increasingly more in popularity. The rooftop is a fabulous place to spend an afternoon enjoying some drinks and some great food. And best of all there's no children allowed on the roof.

    (5)

  • Cory P.

    Eh. That about covers it. If you're looking to hang out will the yachting group, this is the place for you. The view from the upstairs deck is great and that's about it. Their is nothing interesting or unique on their menu and that includes drinks. A little stuffy for my taste with not enough to offer.

    (2)

  • Jonathan K.

    If your going here on a Saturday be prepared to wait at least an hour. Ours was 1 hour and 45 minutes and we arrived at 7:15pm. The good thing is you can put your name on a list (via iPad) for inside and out (the deck) the deck was where we landed and at around 9 pm and it was very delightful. One issue we had was no cell service inside so we had to keep checking the list to see the progress. Drinks- lots of decent craft beers on tap some from local breweries which is expected. Martini's were so so,kinda over priced. Food- average, typical pub food.(just about every pub has the same menu) Cost was about right. My wife and I had smoked pulled pork and the buffalo wrap. All in all, if you want to go out and have some drinks and a simple meal this place is perfect. Just don't go here on an empty stomach and expect to eat quickly on a weekend evening.

    (3)

  • Torrey R.

    If you are interested in great ambiance, this is the place to be. Their "patio" was actually screened with windows that could be opened for fresh air. They had trees with white lights that were beautiful. There wasn't a band the night we were there but they had really great music playing in the back ground. Their food was only so-so. We ordered the buffalo chicken pizza which was just a little too spicy for my taste. The crust was too crunchy and actually tore up the roof of my mouth. I would go there again for the beer selection but certainly not the pizza.

    (3)

  • Celia Z.

    We often drive across New Buffalo on our way home from Chicago, so we decided to try Stray Dog today, having heard that it was a famous attraction in New Buffalo. When we arrived, we were promptly seated in the back dining room, in the corner, overlooking the lake. There was something so special to the restaurant: the design was simple, and the lights around the sun-lit room felt so relaxing. I felt as if I was on vacation on a resort. The food was somewhat delicious. My favorite was the grilled fresh grouper sandwich with fries. The roumenade that came with the sandwich was delicious, and added an extra tang to the sandwich, which was already so juicy and calling me to eat more. The fries were also crunchy and well deserving of the calories. The Chicken Tacos were tasty but nothing special, and the wings were comparable to the ones I can easily get at Pizza Hut. The orange juice was from concentrate, which annoyed me as well--I'm a fresh, pure ingredients kind of girl. In the empty town of New Buffalo, Stray Dog is bustling with hundreds of customers. While after I got home I was calling out for water from the 10,000 grams of sodium, overall it was a solid meal and a very good atmosphere, with the fish sandwich leading the upside. Next stop: Redamaks.

    (3)

  • Tom S.

    There food is excellent! Being a vegetarian I ordered the avocado tacos, the manager and bartender said no MSG in our menu, knowing how strong msg is the sauce on the tacos did have the taste, so I just eat them hoping they didn't, 30 mins later bartender came over and said sorry the tacos do! They need to get on same page, some people have allergic reactions to msg. Drinks are good with nice atmosphere.

    (4)

  • Ryan G.

    restaurant is right by the beach and the restaurant has a beach feel and theme. Great friendly service and our waitress was quick to get us everything we need. Food was good and fresh but it's nothing special. If you like beer they have about 8 crafted beers on tap.they also have a very nice upstairs for the adults only (bar). I would say if your in town and going to the beach or just in the area give this place a try.

    (3)

  • Mary B.

    Love this place, location, and decor. I had the delicious Maui burger...delish!!

    (5)

  • Adam K.

    This place is the Freshman Wrigleyville bar of New Buff. Enough. I get it, every one of your shirts have the logo, it was a great summer, thank you yes, we all have driven an hour outside of Chicago and picked one up. Food was bad, service was ok, had a lot of people, drank some beers. REALLY LOUD???!!?!?!??! WH444AAAAT??!T? Thank you. Pretty cheap at least.

    (2)

  • Kevin G.

    This is a great place!! You can sit inside or out, and if it isn't too hot out, I would recommend the upper level deck. You can look out at the harbor and see local boats docked. Right across the road is the Stray Dog Gear Shop, and what better way to support your furry friends, than by purchasing some awesome gear with part of the proceeds helping stray dogs. I ordered the Ahi Tuna, and it was AMAZING! Seared perfectly and just the right amount of spice to give the sandwich a kick. We spit the steak nachos as a table, and the entire plate was clean, in a matter of minutes. I ate with four other adults, and everyone loved their food. My husband ordered the fish tacos, and I had a bite and they were delicious. Fresh cole slaw, and greatly seasoned fish. I would recommend this place to anyone visiting the New Buffalo area. We actually stayed in Coloma, MI and drove just to eat here! Well worth the drive.

    (4)

  • Chris Y.

    The Stray Dog has been rebuilt in 2013 due to the devastating fire the summer of 2012. They maintained the integrity of the layout and enhanced everything. The menu has all the favorites with expansions like a delicious Kale salad that you can add grill Chicken etc. to. The service is fantastic and they have a state of the art system that gives you real time updates on your progress as you wait for a table. The roof top bar has been expanded and opens the second week of July. This is truly a favorite spot in Harbor Country. Don't miss it!

    (4)

  • Dave L.

    Is what its supposed to be - decent pub-ish food, good saloon, very good Bloody Mary's. Fun rooftop deck. T-shirts galore thanks to a good marketing concept and affluent, family oriented customer base. Place just burned to ground last night. 7/17/12. Will be closed for some time.

    (3)

  • Anna P.

    A little slice of paradise, especially if it's sunny and warm and the patio is open. My boyfriend and I were on our way up the Lake Michigan coast and pulled off the highway after seeing a billboard for this place. We'd never been to the area before and were a little nervous, but as soon as we arrived our worries were put to rest! The patio is awesome. It has a great view, and feels absolutely wonderful on a sunny day. They have a good selection of drinks and food - I got a greek salad with chicken and my bf got the coney dog special - both were tasty. It was a simple meal made much better by the sunny day...and possibly the wine...

    (3)

  • Heather B.

    I've been to Stray Dog several times since the re-opening and find the food to be consistent, the bar service to be great and the table service to loom in the area of average to fair. The rooftop area is a bonus, I only wish they kept it more open and had standing height bar tables instead of taking up so much space with small seated tables. You don't get much of a bar feel up there and I feel like they really wasted such a great opportunity to maximize the summer crowds. We've been there when it's a 1+ hour wait and off-season when it's easy to get a table/spot at the bar. The specialty drinks (I like the Moscow Mule, Dark and Stormy, Cucumber Martini) are tasty, but a bit pricey ($8-12). This isn't Chicago and I hate that they take advantage of the fact there really are no other options. Good beer selection and they don't ever complain about giving you a sample to try something new. The fish tacos are tasty, the Asian wings have a sweet but savory kick to them, the pizzas are flavorful and burgers always taste fresh chargrilled. I find the food prices to be ok for what you get. They also have multiple tvs so it's nice on the weekends when you're looking for more than just one football game! Is Stray Dog something I rant and rave about and walk around town all day wearing a t-shirt advertising for them? Definitely not. But it is a place as a year-rounder I can count on for a decent, albeit overly priced meal and some drinks, so I will come back.

    (4)

  • Ed M.

    Went there on a cold Friday in November. Had a very, very good meal. Enjoyed the Mexican pizza and the Ahi Tuna salad, The Sunset Shrimp was inventive and plentiful. The new decor is bright and fun. Well worth the trip if you are in SW Michigan. The service was spot on. Great selection of local craft brews.

    (5)

  • Karen M.

    The Stray Dog is a must for us whenever we're in New Buffalo. It's located right on the marina, with a great view; a nice rooftop deck; a friendly, fun atmosphere; live music; and some good beers. This place is actually more of a bar than a dining establishment, although the food is pretty decent pub grub and reasonably priced, too. During the day, there can be lots of families with kids, while evenings are more for adults. They also sell Stray Dog memorabilia like T-shirts and caps. I don't usually get sucked into the whole souvenir thing, but I did get a T-shirt last time I was here just because I like their slogan ("Come! Sit! Stay!").

    (3)

  • Sandra M.

    I could have sworn I had already Yelped this place. My family loves coming here. The burgers are good, the ribs ok. They are pretty busy and service is slow on the summer weekends. We avoid it then and try to come on week days. My daughter is into dogs and puppies and loves checking out the artwork. Your trip isn't complete though, until you go across the street to their little store for a tshirt.

    (4)

  • CJ Q.

    Wait to sit was awful! Tho I don't blame restaurant. There was a festival nearby that rained out. So twice as many people and rooftop seating was not open with the rain. But for 2hr wait, food was super yum. We bout licked our plates clean. My Mahi sandwich was so good but smaller portion than other plates. Other thumbs up in our party was Maui burger (added bacon at servers suggestion), ribs, fish tacos, turkey club. I was perfectly full. Rest felt stuffed. Nice that they offer to text when your up, instead of pagers so you can wander farther away when there's a long wait. But our group of out of towners didn't seem to have strong signals and worried we might miss the text msg.

    (4)

  • Linda B.

    Great looking restaurant. We had looked forward to sitting and eating in the rooftop area but were told it was for over 21. Our teenage son was let down. My burger was fine, and the bun was good. The ahi tuna tacos were good, seared not overcooked. The cheeseburger sliders and the French fries were just average. The prices were three to five dollars more than other well known burger places in the area. Overall, liked it and would go again.

    (2)

  • Loree R.

    Love this place! Sit on rooftop in nice weather & see Lake Michigan! The food is the best! Great service too!

    (5)

  • Yvonne M.

    I enjoyed this place! The atmosphere is relaxed and casual. The service is terrific! All of the food and drinks were pretty good also. I would definitely return.

    (4)

  • Arthur M.

    This is not a foodie destination, however- definitely the restaurant I have visited the most at the beach in Michigan. The burgers are good, the fries are good. There is a rooftop bar for adults only- no screaming kids. There are frozen drinks. The food and service have been consistent and for me that is the mark of a place to return to. The people watching on a Saturday night on the rooftop was magical.

    (5)

  • Ashley S.

    If it's a nice day, sit upstairs (21+). That was really the best thing about this place. If we hadn't been on the roof I don't think I would have enjoyed my meal. The downstairs area was crowded with families and was pretty noisy. The food was fine. The jalapeno poppers were good but super spicy, we couldn't actually eat them all. The rest of the food was pretty standard, nothing to rave about but fine for the price. Our waitress was very good. With the spicy food she had to refill our cups repeatedly and she was very quick about it. The wait for the food was long because it was so busy, but luckily we were pretty happy sitting up on the roof (ordering an appetizer helped too).

    (4)

  • Debbie G.

    Loved the rooftop deck. Ribs were delicious. Waitress was very friendly and did an excellent job in serving our party.

    (4)

  • Robert F.

    Fun environment, great for families and kids. Adult only rooftop patio offers great views of lake. Great menu with solid food lineup. Highly recommend!

    (4)

  • Terral A.

    Great location in New Buffalo next to the boat slips. We stopped here today on the recommendation of a close friend. This is one recommendation that I am glad I took seriously. The atmosphere is casual and fun with everything being dog themed. There Oscar four seasons room in the back, and a large fireplace in the dining room. They also sell shirts and things with their logo. The food was great, and the draft beer cold. I had the chicken tacos that were prepared just right. My wife had the veggie tacos and they were very tasty. The other couple with us had fish tacos, and Chicago style dogs. All of the food wad great, and with generous portions. Overall, this place is great. I would recommend you check this place out if you like traditional American food in a fun casual atmosphere.

    (5)

  • Lisa R.

    Just alright. Total bar food. I think my pulled pork was microwaved. Good service, but chef should focus on using fresh, Michigan ingredients, that would make me feel better about supporting this place.

    (2)

  • Ronin E.

    I'm basing this on a "bar" alone. Easily the best "bar" in the area for any kind of slightly classier clientele... unlike the dive bars in the area where locals frequent, nothing wrong with locals (since I used to be one) but if you're from out of town, just come here to be with people more like yourself (trust me). I went on a super cold night but reminded me of a ski lodge bar with the fireplace and other fixtures. The staff was solid. I will say, we got some chips and salsa with our beers... it was awful, so I'm not reviewing based on the food :)

    (4)

  • John B.

    What else can I say... This place is great! It was a Sunday in October around lunch time and the place was very busy. They took are name AND phone number and gave us a text when our table was ready.. Very cool. Drinks were amazing, waiter was amazing and food was amazing.

    (5)

  • Luke K.

    Best place in New Buffalo! It's an absolute must to stop in and enjoy the food and atmosphere.

    (5)

  • Anne S.

    I like this place! I have eaten lunch on the first floor porch and dinner after dark on the rooftop. Both were lovely spots! The food was all good, and reasonably priced. Service was good. The view was fantastic! This time I had a Cobb salad, it was big and delicious, and came with a bread stick. I also had a frozen raspberry vodka lemonade. It was tasty, and a good deal for $7.

    (4)

  • Scott C.

    The food just isn't the same since they've rebuilt and reopened. A lot of the menu items are obviously made from food that's been frozen which is disappointing because it didn't used to be like that. Plus, if you're going to try and be a sports bar, you might want to invest in the DirecTV package where you get the Big Ten Network...because you're in Big Ten country...and people in Michigan might want to watch a Michigan football game. Just a thought.

    (1)

  • Ryan H.

    We always used to like going here. Not sure what happened post fire and remodeling but the service was terrible. The guy that was serving forgot our drinks, food was way late and cold. And no lake perch on the menu anymore. Hello, next to Lake Michigan and perch is locally kind of restaurant standard. My guess is that they've had a hard time restaffing. i mean the guy was disgruntled about something. had to call over another waiter for the drinks and even then it was slow. Only reason i'm giving it 2 stars instead of 1 is that the food we did get was just as good as before - after we asked for something hot that is. but folks you used to have a great staff. what in the world happened??? fix that and you'll be back to what you were.

    (2)

  • Scott R.

    Stopped at the Stray Dog on our way to Chicago, and decided to stop again on the way home. Great food, great atmosphere, great location and family friendly. I'm a fan.

    (4)

  • John P.

    Always good times!! Great staff & management. Our most recent server "Stephanie" was a great experience. She was a great example of why we come back to Stray Dog again & again.

    (5)

  • Ashley M.

    This is my favorite place to eat and drink in New Buffalo. I love everything from the pizza and jalapeno poppers to the beer to the merchandise! This is my happy place. Happiness is a new Stray Dog t-shirt. I wish they had a website that worked!

    (5)

  • Jason And Claire Z.

    Visited this summer after they re-opened. Very nice, as expected. Our wait time was exactly as they told us. Patio on roof was awesome and much larger. The homemade pizza was outstanding and we appreciated the diverse options as far as toppings. I would HIGHLY suggest The Stray Dog to anyone!! Great!!!!

    (5)

  • Xamyma O.

    Yea burned to the ground BUT....saw a sign on 94(?) that announced it's re-opening but I can't remember the new date. Sorry only passed it once.

    (3)

  • Craig L.

    Stayed in New Buffalo for a week. Went here our first night, went again for our last. Nothing fancy in terms of food, but atmosphere was well laid out and loud -- great for eating with kids as no one notices when they get out of hand. Everything we had was basic but surprisingly very well done. I can speak for the burger and ribs -- I'm picky when jt comes to BBQ and the slab was really good; not over reliant on sauce. Nice beer selection also. The kids (3, 5 and 10) gave the chicken tenders a "10 out of 10." There is always a crowd here for a reason. But they're organized enough to deal with it effectively (texting when table is ready).

    (4)

  • Nhi C.

    Visiting from Chicago. My friends recommended this place to eat. We decided to give it a try. Very good pizza! My bosses (kids) definitely approved.

    (4)

  • Mike K.

    The Stray Dog is the local dive bar for tourists in New Buffalo. To wit: * They sell t-shirts and other souvenirs * Band in the corner * Dance floor * Sports on TV * Drunk people * Waitresses and female bartenders curiously all with their hair up * Mostly tourists with some locals peppered in. Remind you of anything? How about Division Street or Hubbard Street in Chicago? If you want carousing and a more raucous time, Stray Dog is your place. If you want a more relaxed scene, head to Casey's. Three stars.

    (3)

  • Derek H.

    Stopped for lunch on Sunday 05/20/12 around 1:30 pm and seated very promptly. The atmosphere is very casual, with a main dining area, a screened in porch and outdoor seating on the deck. We sat in the screened in porch and it was very comfortable and our server was very attentive and helpful. I've enjoyed beverages on the deck several times but I had never had the pleasure of dining here until now. The menu has menu choices with burgers, sandwiches, pizzas and some bigger entrees. There are many appetizers to choose from. I had the heart attack in a bun - The Stray Dog - a hot dog stuffed with cheese, wrapped in bacon and deep fried. It was fantastic - highly recommend. My wife enjoyed her Caesar Chicken Wrap. The bar has a fantastic selection of beers on tap and in bottles. They have a wide selection of craft beers including many "local" beers. I will definitely be returning soon!

    (4)

  • Karen C.

    Been going here for years but the prices of drinks is out of line. The worst wine for 8 bucks and if you want something drinkable it is 10 bucks...No chance of going there on a regular basis as it is robbery. The food is edible but not the easy, affordable place that it was. If you bring a group it will be well over 200.00 for snacks and drinks. If there are two of you, expect 80 to 90 dollars. That is, if you have two glasses of wine and something to eat. Too bad.

    (2)

  • Goda G.

    i would give it 5 stars but i went monday and hated my server. My family and friends come out here from chicago suburbs to hang out at the beach and always make sure to stop here. it was great before they burned down but they came back even better! food was giant portions, atmosphere was great, and the restaurant was just gorgeous. what im going to say is specificaly a one time experience, and i cant say all the new servers are like this. Hopefully it wont happen again but be warned only problem at stray dog was stephanie. i understand not everyones perfect and we cant be on top of it every day but this chick just wanted me and my cousin to order eat and leave. we asked what kind of drinks they had and she listed all the different coke products, but failed to mention any shakes or flavored lemonades. im a fan of coke so i got a diet but my cousin hates pop so she got a water, we both would have gotten shakes tho. sucks we found a paper under the condiments after our meal.... she also pressured us to order fast and came back every 2 minutes . clearly if were both looking at the menus reading were not ready... her tone every time she asked us if we were ready got worse and worse. we ordered on her 3rd time coming back.... we both got soups and entres everything was great.... she checked on us 5 times but watever. after taking our last plates away she asked if we wanted if we wanted the checks together or separate.... not if she could get us anything else, not if were were ready for the checks, not if we wanted dessert.( IDK if im just weird but no matter how full i am and i was full half way through my salad that i didnt finish but i would consider dessert) we asked the lady at the store if they had desserts, because our waitress definitely didnt offer us any. im a server to and i know not to check on a table to much it just bothers people, and dont you wanna get your sales up to get higher tips? you would want to offer different things..... bottom line tell us wat stray dog has to offer with out being in our face all the time. a guy came buy and asked how everything was assuming he was the manager, we didnt wanna deal with it anymore so we just said good awkwardly. we both only left 10% tip and usualy would woulda left about 30-40% if she woulda been better. oh well next time hopefully we'll get a better server. the store next doors pretty expensive for sweats and tshirts but i bout one anyway.... sizes really vary so try anything youre going to buy on... one sweatshirt was supertight as a large the other was wayyyy to big as a large so be warned.

    (4)

  • Taryn T.

    I think this place deserves five stars for its well-oiled service alone - despite the fact that they're almost always packed (being located right near the beach and all), they manage to swiftly get people in and out without making you feel the least bit rushed. We came here for dinner at 8 p.m. on a Saturday night, and we were seated in less than half an hour. You get one of those little buzzer things while you wait, and you can walk up to a block and half away with it, so you get to enjoy the nice weather until your table is ready. My burger with avocados and a thick slab of cheddar cheese was delish, and so were the vegetarian tacos as an appetizer - you really can't go wrong with this place if you want some tasty bar-style food. It's definitely a family place - it loud, there are kids aplenty and tables are pretty close to each other - so try one of the restaurants further down the street if you're looking for a romantic evening.

    (5)

  • Kylie S.

    My absolute favorite restaurant in New Buffalo (and the surrounding area). My hometown is nearby and I make it a point to visit almost every time I'm in the vicinity. Great menu - my favorite is the thin crust pizza with sundried tomatoes and fries (healthy, I know). Tons of beer/wine/liquor. Prices are reasonable. Parking is relatively easy. It can get crowded and you may need to search for a bit on a Saturday, but you'll find something. Best part? The rooftop bar in the summer. Awesome.

    (5)

  • Food Nazi A.

    Yet another place that came highly recommended in New Buffalo, and it didn't disappoint. Arrived in New Buffalo later in the evening and needed to unwind after a long day at work and the drive from Chicagoland and The Stray Dog made it all worthwhile. The place wasn't overly crowded and the night was nice so we opted to sit on the rooftop deck. Note: bring bug spray and cover your ankles in the spray because those skeeters were straight up gangsters...they attacked like there was no tomorrow!! The view overlooks the marina and I could only imagine the view during the day...b-e-a-utiful!!! Our server was very pleasant and made excellent suggestions for food. I had the Maui Burger and the GF had the fish tacos, which both came with fries (nice and crispy I must add) and didn't disappoint. They have a good selection of craft beers from the area and your regular domestics and imports. I had to try several of the crafts and IPAs and enjoyed each one, though some were much better than others. Definitely will come back here whenever visiting the area!

    (4)

  • Linda N.

    The noisiest place I have ever been. We ended up getting our food to go and went out and watched the sunset in peace and quiet. 45 minute wait to get in, so lots of people must not mind the noise.

    (2)

  • Angie B.

    Stray Dog is one of our favorites in New Buffalo, GREAT food, good prices, nice atmosphere, live music on the weekends and wonderful staff (Joey aka Hollywood). Service is always fast and food is always great, can't go wrong at the Dog. We can't wait for it to re-open in the Spring!

    (5)

  • Cassie S.

    Went here for lunch after a long day of blueberry picking. It 100% hit the spot, but I do question a bit whether I would feel the same if I hadn't been famished, dehydrated, sunburnt and exhausted. I had an absolutely delicious grilled cheese sandwich. A little on the greasy side, but that only added to the deliciousness. It had tomato and bacon on it and was scrumptious. Only thing that would have made it better is swiss cheese (as opposed to American). Fries were really good too. My friend's burger looked amazing. The nachos at the table next to us looked especially good (of course, everything looked really good while we were waiting for our food...) We sat in the screened in patio in back, which was teeming with small children. Wish they had given us the option to sit outside on the roof (?) deck (did a little exploring and found it, but at that point we had already ordered and moving wasn't worth the hassle). Beer selection looked good, but I couldn't imagine a drink other than water at that point in the day.

    (4)

  • Tim B.

    I Love the pictures of the dogs. I have been going here 6 years! Love the food.

    (5)

  • Pamela C.

    4 stars for the atmosphere, service, location, scenic patio, and impressive beer selection. -1 star for the long wait and Applebees-esque food. We ordered the chicken tenders and fries thinking it was a safe bet. I could only muster up the strength to eat one piece. Meh. The poppers were terrific. Homemade and SPICY....unexpected fire! Come early or expect a long wait. And stick to the drinks.

    (3)

  • Lawrence P.

    Got harassed at the door by the "bouncer"... My date actually had her ID questioned in about 40 different ways and the "bouncer" told her it was a fake... When it isn't and we both are 26... Kinda ruined the whole time there... We are from Wisconsin and this place seems to be a place with alot of out of town people coming in... They should know their stuff alot better.

    (2)

  • Amy S.

    The hostess said our wait would be 45 minutes and it was only 35 minutes - score! We got a nice table for our group and the service was very attentive. We were incredibly pleased with our pizzas. We thought they were bigger than the 12 inches that was stated on the menu. Also, the toppings were quite plentiful. We really enjoyed the barbque chicken and the regular plain cheese pizza. What a treat! We also had the chips and guac and enjoyed that too. We will certainly go back next time we are in New Buffalo. Also, if you are a fan of dogs, there are tons of pictures of stray dogs that found homes in the restrooms.

    (4)

  • Shawn H.

    The sun was warm, the beer was cold and the food was delicious on the rooftop patio!

    (4)

  • Negin J.

    Fish Tacos were good! So was the craft beer.

    (5)

  • Anthony P.

    This place has a few things I don't care for. It feels a bit touristy, which is not helped by the presence of a gift shop. It is also usually overrun by families with kids, but that dies down the later in the evening that you go. Aside from that, it has a great location; right over the bridge is the beach. If you opt for the outdoor seating, you're treated to a pretty decent view. And the food and drink and the service has never disappointed. The whole neighborhood makes for a nice getaway, and this place makes for an enjoyable meal.

    (3)

  • Kristen S.

    The Stray Dog is a great location, right near the marina and the beach. It's a typical bar & grill, as you would expect. The food is so-so, and the service matches. But if you are in the area, this is definitely one of the places to stop for a good meal. I had a salad with goat cheese and oranges, which was lovely. The server made note of my gluten allergy and I felt fine. My husband ordered the white pizza, which he thought was just okay, nothing special. It took longer to cook and he didn't like the wait for it, either. Loud, fun, okay food. A great location.

    (3)

  • Sarah C.

    Stray Dog has been part of my SW Mich. vocabulary since its doors opened. Yet, the first time I ever ate a full meal was Labor Day 2010. I consider this more of a drinking establishment. :) The food is average and reliable. The pizzas are tasty. The buffalo chicken pizza has some kick to it. I can always recommend a good burger at the Dog. Stray Dog is family friendly in the afternoon and early evening. Kids love looking at the photos of dogs brought in my area owners (especially in the bathrooms). If the food is merely a foil for your beverage, let me recommend the rooftop deck. If the deck is packed or the weather is not right, request to sit on the screened in porch out back. i love the twinkly lights. Plus you can hear the live music (when it's going) without being drowned out by it. Do yourself a favor and do not buy a souvenir on your way out. Stray Dog sweatshirts, t-shirts and paraphernalia have become the tourists' favorite memory maker and it's just not that cool anymore. Plus, the prices are ridiculous. If you're looking for some local memorabilia, go old school and pick up a Redamak's shirt, or go new school and stop by Third Coast Surf Shop. But Stray Dog? Overdone.

    (3)

  • Robin C.

    This is the go-to-place if you're in the New Buffalo area. We used to frequent The Stray Dog before it burned down and they had great burgers and personal pizzas. I used to get their fish tacos and they always seemed fresh and very filling. We decided to go back on opening day and were immediately pleased with the remodel. It's much more open and the bar is definitely the focal point now. We were seated in the back dining room and it didn't seem to change much from the original layout. What we didn't like about the dining room was the acoustics. Between 2 TVs, cement floor and the handful of patrons, we could not hear ourselves talk to one another. It's very family-friendly but not a place you'd go to for having a romantic evening out. I ordered the French Onion soup and it was just "ok". My Philly steak sandwich was good and very filling. There is a lot of wait staff and ours was super friendly.....almost too friendly. Haa ha. I think it's a great place for the entire family or if you're with a group of friends.

    (3)

  • Kevin O.

    This is a great location which my parents (from Florida) always want to eat at when we drive by. A great atmosphere and incredible service. The food is plentiful and very well done. Can get a bit noisy and a lot of families go there so if you do not like "kids" around you who may be loud then you may want to avoid this for lunch or dinner. I did not go upstairs to the roof but I can imagine it is very nice with a fantastic view. I am not sure I would drive longer than 20 miles just to go here but if you are even close to the area and want a casual dining experience with great service I would highly recommend this location.

    (4)

  • Mihir P.

    An interesting place...the inside seems semi-upscale yet the outdoor area is downscale. I met a nice couple at the bar while waiting for a table. We had an interesting discussion on cognitive-behavioral psychology. Our waitress was a bit shy but she was good. At least I thought so. The people I was with were demanding so they were critical. I thought the bar food was decent but nothing to write home about. But good enough for Yelp.

    (3)

  • Cathy R.

    Went here based on other Yelp reviews. Plenty busy on a late August weekend. Headed to the rooftop area, but seating there was 25 min., so we settled for the patio. It turned out ok because we were facing the boats/marina, but lots (AND LOTS) of families with young, screaming children! So, as for the food and drinks....jerk seasoned rotisserie chicken was awesome! The green chili burger was very tasty, as well, but wish the sides were a little more varied. Fries with both. We had a couple of bikini martinis (would have chosen a glass of wine had I noticed the prices) and a couple of coco loco martinis (very similar to a painkiller if you've been to the VI area). Like the merchandise available...bought a Stray Dog tshirt for my college aged son!

    (4)

  • Heidi B.

    Great Reuben sandwich and good tilapia fish tacos. Fries were nothing special. Recommend making reservations, the wait was about 45 minutes for a Saturday night.

    (4)

  • Carol J.

    Popped in during the Ship and Shore Festival and loved the weekend community vibe. Reminded me of my mispent youth in Lake Geneva. I walked in with a band that just finished and we were lucky enough to snag seats at the bar straightaway. Prices were super cheap ($5.00 for a decent glass of wine? Hello!). We shared a big giant mess of food including some of the tastiest nachos I've ever had, fish tacos made with tilapia, a ginormous club sammie, juicy burgers and mounds of fluffy on the inside fries. Service was spot on and people kept coming over and checking on us to see if everything was good, a lady from St. Joe sent us a round of shots. Either people in Michigan are super duper nice, or they all loved the hottie singer too. Huge rooftop deck with fantastic view of the harbor and if you can squint really tight on a super clear night you might see the Chicago skyline on the horizon.

    (4)

  • John T.

    ALWAYS A GREAT TIME!! From the evening piano bar to the great food and drink prices, I love this place! In the summer, when I go, it is hopping with people that are all laughing and having a great time! I recommend this to everyone! I have eaten their grilled fish tacos a few times and every time they are better and better.

    (5)

  • Emily G.

    Rooftop bar was enjoyable and dinner in the dining room was good. Service was slow making it difficult to dine with young children.

    (3)

  • Dennis L.

    We stopped at The Stray Dog Bar & Grill on the way back to Chicago after visiting Western Michigan. It was a beautiful day, and the rooftop deck was the perfect spot for a quick lunch. The Lakeside Citrus Salad and Turkey Club were both delicious. The service was friendly and efficient.

    (4)

  • Tom Z.

    Only have eaten here once. The one star is because it IS lively and had Bell's on tap. Also, my wife liked her Pineapple burger (that was inventive). Oh - also, the very cool name. But that's where it ended with the 2nd star. (I think 'Lost Dog' is a better moniker) My biggest gripe is the perch. After enjoying the stellar fresh pan-fried Perch in South Haven from the 'Thirsty Perch' (each bite caused my eyes to close) - a little squeeze of fresh lemon was all that was needed despite their offering of homemade tartar sauce....and the equally fresh beer-battered perch sandwich with homemade tartar sauce that's mixed with vinaigrette from the Old Boys Brewhouse in Spring Lake just outside of Grand Haven - I can't tell you how disappointing it was to see and eat tasteless, previously frozen perch being offered at a supposedly 'hip' lakeside restaurant. No Whitefish, no Walleye. But wait, there's a 'fresh grouper sandwich'. Most vacationers prefer fish that is endemic to the area - not fish from 1000 miles away. I will try the Grouper if I come back I suppose since I do like it when in Florida.... They have a lot of room for improvement on their Pizza and hot Dog menu....

    (2)

  • Craig C.

    This place has a great view, but that is about it. The food is seriously substandard and the help is miserable. I am pretty sure their help is acquired by recruiting local high schools and seeking out the sub 2.0 students... The worst part is that the management is outwardly cocky about how busy this place is and it is as if they dont care. Plenty of other places to go in the area, avoid Stray Dog. It is a shame too, the place is very cute and the roof top deck is wonderful.

    (1)

  • Joe B.

    Great place for a beer on the rooftop and I recommend the stray dog if your in the mood for a hot dog...beer is a little overpriced though $5 for a 14 oz bud light when Casey's has pints of bud light for $3

    (4)

  • Cassie B.

    Nice looking restaurant and bar. All wait staff were good. Hated the kale salad--over dressed but the wait staff did the right thing, took it back & brought another mediocre salad. Good dark and stormy! We ordered a pizza with roasted garlic and got big chunks of raw garlic. I wouldn't order pizza there again. But I would go there for cocktails!

    (2)

  • Jason M.

    Came in here for drinks twice and lunch once during a recent week long stay in New Buffalo. We appreciated the Bells on tap (Oberon and Two Hearted Ale) and the live music upstairs. The food was decent but nothing special. The shirts and other merchandise are cute - I wish I would have bought a t-shirt as a souvenier. We'd definitely go back if we were in the area!

    (4)

  • F P.

    Gone, I think..?

    (5)

  • Sarah L.

    I stopped here for dinner on Saturday night with some friends. We took a day trip to lovely New Buffalo and spent the day at the beach! Seriously, Michigan has much better beaches than Chicago and it actually felt like we were on vacation. We wanted a nice filling dinner after a long day in the sun so we stopped into the Stray Dog. This place was jumping! We had a small wait but it went pretty quick. Our waitress was so amazing and friendly! She was very accommodating and made our visit a pleasure. We all shared chips and salsa for an appetizer. The salsa was fantastic and it was fresh! I was in love. I had the grouper sandwich as my meal and it was very good. It wasn't breaded or fried and I loved that. It was a huge portion too! My hubs had the fish tacos, he really liked them. My other 2 friends each had burgers and they loved them! If I go back, I will have to try a burger next time. Great atmosphere and excellent food! You must stop by if you are in the New Buffalo area.

    (4)

  • Christopher R.

    Just passing through on our way up the coast. The Stray Dog Bar is near a small harbor which creates a cool environment. The bar has a great "patio" like area in back with large windows that give you the feeling your outside. Interesting decor, wood paneling with large branches wrapped in white lights which give it a nice touch. Good beer selection. They boasted their pizza which were "homemade". We got the buffalo chicken pizza and i was only marginally satisfied. The taste was decent, hot with a little kick. but the crust they were proud of was bland, hard and looked like store bought frozen dough. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't horrible but it just wasn't great. Overall, the location and beer saved this place. If i lived in the area, I would be back to enjoy a pint while watching the boats on the water.

    (3)

  • Nick P.

    When I think of Stray Dog I think ridiculous dancing to a live band while eating a great late night pizza. There are many other great things about the stray dog. But if your 21-45 and looking to have a fun weekend night and your near stray dog go there!!! Great rooftop deck! Great Maui chicken burger great lakeside salad! And the manager Joe makes this place feel like home every time we walk in with a large crew of people. Love it! 10 stars if it were up to me!

    (5)

  • Pete J.

    The whole package- great service, nice location/decor/view, and good food with lots of tap beers available. Very touristy in summer (they have a separate store across the parking lot which sells all things Stray Dog) but now, in December, it actually has a warm, welcoming ambiance. Quite an extensive menu, including surprisingly good pizzas. I highly recommend the feta/ onion/ kalamata olive pizza. The jalapeño poppers are awesome as well. Fifty steps from the Amtrak.

    (4)

  • Jerod C.

    Most of my time leading up to this visit to the Stray Dog consisted of trowing back a few adult beverages. But this was the first time I ever went for dinner. I had the buffalo chicken pizza which was good. Noting special, but still tasty. I like this place far better as just a bar. There's a great open air roof patio and a screened in porch on the lower level. Good selection of local beers.

    (3)

  • Jim D.

    This place is essentially the only game in town if you like to drink past 10 PM. So all you Chicago weekenders staying at your folk's cottages (admit it!), this is the place you go after dinner with mom and dad. They have Bell's and a few other good beers, solid American pub grub, and fairly decent burgers and wraps. Nothing special, but its cheap and it gets the job done. They also have a very current knowledge of shots, the LeBomb James got invented around last week and they knew exactly what it was (FYI- Crown Royal, Grenadine and Red Bull shot, pour sugar on your hands and throw it in the air) The place is packed on summer weekend nights with an aging house band that plays all the required classic rock hits. All in all its a really good time, the crowd is a funny mix of the aforementioned twenty something freeloaders, empty nesters dancing to the oldies, and cougars and their male equivalents doing whatever it is they do. I've heard a lot about weak service here, but I always go with my brother, a former employee, in tow so this doesn't become an issue. In fact, getting served by his former drinking buddies and having the manager come bull shit with us was rather pleasant. He works as a bus boy in a resort town, I work insurance in the 'burbs, I got so hosed during college summers. Not that I'm bitter or anything.

    (4)

  • Steven M.

    I think that Ron needs to get laid before he leaves Chicago. The place was packed on a Saturday afternoon and they had just opened up the roof deck. We sat at the bar and couldn't have had a better experience. I had a couple lemon heavens and they were very good. I also had the chicken wrap with fries and the onion loaf. The wrap had hot wings in it and it was very good. The service was great and the people are very friendly. Top on my list when i'm in the area.

    (4)

  • Akira S.

    Overall it was OK. Beer in plastic cups. Fried fish sticks in a plastic basket. Nice place on the terrace but food nothing special.

    (3)

  • Carolyn G.

    Came here with my kids and my Mom since it is a family friendly environment but I was not that impressed and I never really have been. My family likes to come here when we're in New Buffalo, but I think for what they offer they're pretty overpriced. The service leaves something to be desired as well. We did not have to wait very long, but we ordered some drinks and still needed a min. to look at the menu. We did not see her for a very long time and when we finally waved her down, she said she had forgotten about us. We never received the appetizer we ordered and after we got the food we didn't see her again until she brought the check. The food was just ok, nothing great. Also, a server dropped a whole tray of glasses near us and the shards of glass landed under our table. No one even stopped by to make sure we weren't hurt. My kids like it but I think I'll try to talk them into another place next time.

    (2)

  • Andrew G.

    A bit touristy. Food is good, service is usually good, great location. I'm not exactly a fan, but I do plan to eat there again. It's a good place, but nothing which would be highlighted in a personalized biography about the area.

    (3)

  • mei s.

    it's a cute place by the water, the food is just ok. nothing appealing for foodies. this is a place you go to hang out and just relax.

    (3)

  • Brooke W.

    Probably the nicest bar in New Buffalo, good location (down by the harbor), nice enclosed patio, good decor, good food... overall everything was good.

    (4)

  • AM M.

    Very cute establishment but get ready for some crazy policies. No one under 21 is allowed on the rooftop and you have to have 2 forms of ID to drink if you look under 40. I understand policies but the manager that handled it was a complete jerk. I am here on vacation with my parents and at the age of 24, I just grabbed my ID as we were leaving the house thinking nothing of it. When the manager came over to tell us that my state issued ID wouldn't cut it, he was not only rude but lied to us. If you can't trust your employees to properly ID, then get a damn scanner. This is a tourist destination- expect out of state licenses!

    (2)

  • Nichole F.

    Stray Dog is my favorite restaurant in the area. I love the food. I've had just about everything on the menu, as we visit our favorite bartender Aaron often. My favorite thing, of course, is the Stray Dog. It's not healthy at all, but that's the beauty of dining out - indulging myself. :) It's a bacon wrapped cheese stuffed deep fried hot dog. Topped with carmelized onions. Nom! Nom! Not only that, the beer is always cold - there's always a great variety. It's a great place for live music. The rooftop bar is awesome. I love all of it! Their house salad is a great pre-meal chomp too!! Love love love it!

    (5)

  • Moe f.

    It's the most touristy, kid friendly place in town. And it's located right by the water so it's always packed. Decent burgers and fish tacos. Beer is priced higher than what I can get it for down the block.

    (3)

  • Renee D.

    There are better places in town to eat or drink. Food is average at best. Not really "on the list" at this point for us, but the atmosphere is fun.

    (3)

  • Walt M.

    Went here, after a day of relaxing on the beach. It's a good casual place to just relax, have a beer, eat some grub, with friends. We ordered the guac and chips...which needed a little more salt and lime juice...but it was ok. My wife had the grilled cheese tomato and bacon...which was really good, a little greasy but not too shabby. I had the BBQ pulled pork sandwich...it needed a little more sauce, but it was good too. We had drinks too...which were mixed well. All in all, no frills chill out kinda place.

    (3)

  • Cristina T.

    A fun bar/restaurant to grab a drink at. However, as a restaurant I was less than impressed. We were seating on the rooftop on a scorching hot day and were denied a pitcher of water, although we were sitting in the blistering sun. My salad was good, but nothing to write home about-not worth the 13 dollars I spent on it, to say the least. Socially, this is the place to be, but I would skip the food aspect of the Stray Dog.

    (3)

  • Sue L.

    I moved to New Buffalo in the early summer, and only last week had the opportunity to eat here. It was totally packed all summer with music on the upper deck on the weekends. As it is the closest restaurant to the beach, it makes sense. I was there on a Monday for lunch and everything was fine, except the long black hair in my cheeseburger, and under my fries. The staff quickly whisked it away, and 3 different staffers came by to apologize. Although I did not time them, it did take a while to get a new burger, judging by the fact that everyone else was almost done eating before I got it. They did take the item off the bill, and were otherwise very professional and pleasant. And if you like the place you can buy yourself a Stray Dog T-shirt on your way out.

    (3)

  • Gracee W.

    Stray Dog has a really good atmosphere--the waitresses are very helpful, and very nice! The food was good--everything was just about 4 stars...I take off a star because of the wait. 45 minutes, in a super small waiting space, or you can wait outside (it was raining) or go to the small and crowded gift shop--definitely a takeaway. Food was good, service was really good (our nachos didn't have enough toppings, they gave us a new batch a minute later--YUM!)

    (4)

  • Denise A.

    LOVE TO TAKE THE KIDS! They have a good kids menu and crayons and the kids love checking out all of the dog pictures. Love the branches covered with Christmas lights and quirky ambiance. And love the pizza green (yes pesto) with Chicken. Just seeing a shirt from this place makes me smile! Nothing says summer like Stray Dog!

    (5)

  • Kevin A.

    COME. SIT. STAY. The Stray Dog is a great choice for lunch when staying in or passing through New Buffalo. They have a nice rooftop deck with a view of the marina and they have a reliably good selection of burgers, sandwiches, and pizza. Our server was very attentive, our glasses refilled quickly without having to ask, and our food came out fast. I only wish I had come here on my last trip to New Buffalo instead of eating at Redamak's.

    (4)

  • Chrystal M.

    Ate on top patio on a beautiful day. I had the chicken tenders basket and it tasted great. Our waiter was very attentive to our needs.

    (4)

  • jamie k.

    Great rooftop deck for a sunny summer day! The veggie burger was really good, but seemingly a really good defrosteded and cooked up veggie burger. Fair enough... The margarita also tasted pretty sweet and of a pre-mix variety -- but again, still pretty good. All in all, I would check it out and try some other stuff. My friend's salad looked pretty nice, and anywhere that has such amazing outdoor seating and encourages you to stay a while, I support!

    (4)

  • Walt M.

    Went here, after a day of relaxing on the beach. It's a good casual place to just relax, have a beer, eat some grub, with friends. We ordered the guac and chips...which needed a little more salt and lime juice...but it was ok. My wife had the grilled cheese tomato and bacon...which was really good, a little greasy but not too shabby. I had the BBQ pulled pork sandwich...it needed a little more sauce, but it was good too. We had drinks too...which were mixed well. All in all, no frills chill out kinda place.

    (3)

  • Cristina T.

    A fun bar/restaurant to grab a drink at. However, as a restaurant I was less than impressed. We were seating on the rooftop on a scorching hot day and were denied a pitcher of water, although we were sitting in the blistering sun. My salad was good, but nothing to write home about-not worth the 13 dollars I spent on it, to say the least. Socially, this is the place to be, but I would skip the food aspect of the Stray Dog.

    (3)

  • Sue L.

    I moved to New Buffalo in the early summer, and only last week had the opportunity to eat here. It was totally packed all summer with music on the upper deck on the weekends. As it is the closest restaurant to the beach, it makes sense. I was there on a Monday for lunch and everything was fine, except the long black hair in my cheeseburger, and under my fries. The staff quickly whisked it away, and 3 different staffers came by to apologize. Although I did not time them, it did take a while to get a new burger, judging by the fact that everyone else was almost done eating before I got it. They did take the item off the bill, and were otherwise very professional and pleasant. And if you like the place you can buy yourself a Stray Dog T-shirt on your way out.

    (3)

  • Gracee W.

    Stray Dog has a really good atmosphere--the waitresses are very helpful, and very nice! The food was good--everything was just about 4 stars...I take off a star because of the wait. 45 minutes, in a super small waiting space, or you can wait outside (it was raining) or go to the small and crowded gift shop--definitely a takeaway. Food was good, service was really good (our nachos didn't have enough toppings, they gave us a new batch a minute later--YUM!)

    (4)

  • Denise A.

    LOVE TO TAKE THE KIDS! They have a good kids menu and crayons and the kids love checking out all of the dog pictures. Love the branches covered with Christmas lights and quirky ambiance. And love the pizza green (yes pesto) with Chicken. Just seeing a shirt from this place makes me smile! Nothing says summer like Stray Dog!

    (5)

  • Kevin A.

    COME. SIT. STAY. The Stray Dog is a great choice for lunch when staying in or passing through New Buffalo. They have a nice rooftop deck with a view of the marina and they have a reliably good selection of burgers, sandwiches, and pizza. Our server was very attentive, our glasses refilled quickly without having to ask, and our food came out fast. I only wish I had come here on my last trip to New Buffalo instead of eating at Redamak's.

    (4)

  • Chrystal M.

    Ate on top patio on a beautiful day. I had the chicken tenders basket and it tasted great. Our waiter was very attentive to our needs.

    (4)

  • jamie k.

    Great rooftop deck for a sunny summer day! The veggie burger was really good, but seemingly a really good defrosteded and cooked up veggie burger. Fair enough... The margarita also tasted pretty sweet and of a pre-mix variety -- but again, still pretty good. All in all, I would check it out and try some other stuff. My friend's salad looked pretty nice, and anywhere that has such amazing outdoor seating and encourages you to stay a while, I support!

    (4)

  • Maggie K.

    Love Love Love! And will always love. I have been going here for years and take all my friends here on our day trips to Warren Dunes. Great atmosphere, decent prices, great screened in patio in the back and nice service. Food is amazing!!! Only issue I have is the bathroom - always a line going out the door since there is seating for hundreds and only two stalls. (also, no atm around - nearest one is 2 blocks away) I will continue to go here just like the rest of us Chicagoans - and some day I hope to have enough saved up to buy one of the expensive hoodies!

    (5)

  • Tim B.

    I've been here a couple of times for lunch and have had great experiences. Food has been good and prices are very reasonable. I haven't tried the rooftop seating yet but based on other reviews this is high on my list to try out. Give Stray Dog a shot!

    (4)

  • nida d.

    I love this place! When staying at my sister's cottage in Union Pier, we always come to the Stray Dog more than once because, not only is it child friendly (it's loud and busy!), but the food is great. I love all of the salads, the peel and eat shrimp, and nachos. The sanwiches and burgers, I am told (husband) are also great. We love sitting in the patio room, as the view of the marina is so nice. And service has always been good, even though they are often super busy.

    (4)

  • Rich A.

    Came into New Buffalo at 10:30 pm on a Thursday night after labor day, and found that they were open and their kitchen was open until 11pm. I had a Maui Burger (Teriyaki sauce, pineapple and swiss) and it was pretty awesome. My buddy had the Buffalo Chicken Wrap, which he claimed was great too. The nacho appetizers were OK at best, void of meat and with stale chips - but at 10:45 pm they did fill the spot. I will definitely come back to this place. Oh, and nice bar too

    (4)

  • Kari H.

    The StrayDog caught fire early this simmer and is closed until repairs are made

    (1)

  • C Y.

    Good place, good food, But this time we had terrible service. I enjoyed my meal, it was good, However it did take longer than it should have. We ordered chips and salsa, and that took up a whole lot of our meal to get them. And there wheren't even warm. I like this place a lot but this time I had a bad experience. I'd go back but not when it's crowded.

    (3)

  • Thomas A.

    I'm in for four stars on the crazy-busy Stray Dog. The place is well staffed and able to handle the rush with attentive service and a speedy kitchen. When there's room, the roof deck is a great place to eat, drink and watch the sunset - but don't get the idea that it's romantic. The lively and loud bar up top does not stop to admire the setting sun. The menu is basic better bar food in a relaxed fun and well-run restaurant.

    (4)

  • Kathryn H.

    The food was not that great for how expensive it was. We sat on the patio upstairs which was nice but I wasn't crazy about having to drink my $6 beer out of a small plastic cup. The servers were nice. The music was either Justin Bieber or Brittany Spears. So it was a little adolescent for my taste. Which was surprising because you have to be 21 to sit on the upstairs patio.

    (2)

  • Travelin B.

    Location can't be better. Great view from the deck, great prices. Never had a bad meal there. I'm not a vegetarian but the veggie burgers are excellent. Warning to salsa lovers, we ordered guac and chips and asked if the salsa was fresh and the waitress said yes. But I guess she thinks adding other things to canned stuff means fresh because it wasn't. Wasn't terrible. just saying if u need it fresh it's not.

    (4)

  • Eric R.

    This is a nice grill/bar, with a good menu with many good items, its by the beach as well. I believe the last few times i went here i had the wraps and they where normal size and taste. I have had the southwestern egg rolls and the wings from the appetizers, the wings are ok the southwestern egg rolls are much better.

    (3)

  • matty z.

    Great food, fun resort atmosphere, and a wonderful place to spend a summer day.

    (4)

  • Ron Z.

    I'm a Chicago transplant to HarborCountry and dine here year round. The food is generally good, the beer is cold and the ambiance is fine - just way too noisy during the high season with lots of kids, being a family friendly establishment. The entree salads (southwest chicken) are quite good and are a very generous portion. Most of the sandwiches and burgers are typical and standard fare; they're good...just not something I'd write home about. Being located near the beach and marina, the place can have long waiting times for weekend dinner service. The service at times can be slow due to what appears to be newly hired servers during the early months of the summer season. The owners know how to brand their product and offer many clothing items for the tourist crowd.

    (3)

  • Deglazer Z.

    Walked in fully prepared to hate the place. I mean, look - the gift shop, the location off the marina, the clientele consisting largely of annoying rich Chicago weekender types - what's to like, right? Came away a fan, however. I'll admit that I was there on a Tuesday night, when presumably things are less hectic than the usual weekend, but nevertheless - all went according to plan. Service was spot-on. Food was perfectly acceptable pub grub. Bloody Marys were very nice. Prices were high for rural Michigan, but not too bad for a touristy location. We had a fine time, and have certainly paid more for a worse experience - 4 stars.

    (4)

  • Maria S.

    The Stray Dog is a great place, an institution almost. We don't go all of the time during the summer because it tends to get a bit pricey for a family. Not over the top but I think the kids' meals are $5 or so plus $$ for a drink. It also gets very crowded on summer weekend nights - so either be prepared to wait or come early.

    (4)

  • Bella D.

    I had lunch one afternoon with co-workers and ordered the windward burger med well. The burger came out med rare, and I just can't eat ground beef that is pink...to much bacteria and not enough time to age. I sent it back and the kitchen fixed the issue, but i sat at the table with my co-workers and watched them eat=.( Management did not check on me and that was disappointing. The pics of the dogs in the restroom are adorable though!!!

    (3)

  • Bella V.

    Had a great time here. The rooftop deck is fantastic, and the shrimp poppers were great. The chicken wings come in 2 flavors hot or bbq (wasn't impressed). The french onion soup is totally bland. The service was great and the drink prices were very reasonable. I'd go back if ever in town. I have to mention that they serve alchohol later than any other place in town. A whopping 1:30 a.m. (if it's busy)

    (4)

  • Mike L.

    Service was slow. There were five servers standing by the kiosk in an almost empty restaurant. We waited 10 minutes then asked someone to take our order. Food was mediocre.

    (2)

  • Lizzie O.

    the food is decent, prices are reasonable and the view is pretty great (right by the water). i think the appeal is their catchy logo and souvenier shop. if you're a sucker like me for anything dog related, you'll enjoy your experience.

    (4)

  • Craig L.

    They actually have really good food. I'm pretty picky about my french fries and Stray Dog has really good fries. The only thing that kept me from giving it five stars was that it's extremely crowded and busy. The waitress that we had was really busy at the time, so it took awhile for her to get around to us. It's also really loud there. I almost have to yell at my tablemates to talk to them.

    (4)

  • Sarah K.

    Really enjoyed eating here. They have a number of unique pizza options that all sounded delicious. They also have a number of burgers, salads, sandwiches, etc. I think the two of us ate for about $20 and that included an amazing potato skins appetizer as well. The atmosphere and service was really great as well. I would definitely eat there again should I ever be in the area.

    (4)

  • John S.

    After subseqent visits, and a management change, the Stray Dog has improved immensely. Joey the Manager actually cares if you are happy and have good service. Shocking. Food is still marginal at best, but for drinks and atmosphere, its much improved. ( Michigan smoking ban helps too)

    (3)

  • Allison E.

    I stopped in with my gal pals for a late lunch. We had been picking blueberries and were pretty much starving. The Stray Dog more then hit the spot. My burger was fantastic, It was dripping with juicyness and love. And the fries were good too. I pretty much licked my plate clean. The plates coming through with other people's food looked pretty good too. I would love to try the nacho's. But maybe that is just the starvation delirium speaking. I think I still would have a given Stray Dog a decent rating if I had not been starving. It was a nice finish to a fun afternoon.

    (4)

  • Adam G.

    I have been here many times, but my most recent was after a long day on the beautiful Michigan beaches! A group of us had a long day of sun bathing and splashing around in the water and needed some food and spirits to re-energize ourselves. I had a few Stella's and ordered a BBQ, Blue cheese burger and it was delicious!! It was cooked perfectly per my request and tasted like beefy heaven on a bun! So good. Our waitress was great. It almost felt like we were her only table because she was so attentive but we had to wait about 20 minutes for a table so it was pretty busy. I myself picked up on the fact that they had a separate room for people dining with children. They were all sequestered into one room. Great for me since I'm not a huge fan of small children in a restaurant. Great place!

    (4)

  • Jacky V.

    This restaurant/bar is one of my faves! I love the atmosphere. In the summer they have a huge screened-in area in the back that is all lit up with white lights which can be both romantic and relaxing because you catch a great breeze off the water since it is located near Lake Michigan. The wait staff is always friendly and I've had no complaints! I would highly recommend going there at least once to enjoy the experience!

    (4)

  • Kent V.

    We decided to take a quick drive down to check out New Buffalo and ended up eating at the Stray Dog. We had our 4 kids, so it was a family event. The place was very nice, although a little cold (winter). But the food was quite good. I tried the Perch Basket and found it to be well prepared. My wife had a Hamburger and thought it was great with lots of Blue Cheese. The kids meals were also quite good, but the cost did not include the drink which is always a bit of a bummer. But overall good place, good food, typical prices for this type of place and good for kids.

    (4)

  • John V.

    Delicious pizza. We had a bbq chicken pizza. Fits the beach town that it's in perfectly. Logo is like a scruffy version of the Black Dog Tavern from Martha's Vineyard, which is cute. Would definitely go back for lunch or dinner.

    (4)

  • Jamie M.

    My husband and I stopped in here while it was pouring rain in New Buffalo, after our massages. If it weren't our first anniversary, I would have like to have stayed at the Stray Dog all afternoon and night! I was a fun, busy atmosphere with friendly staff. They have enough TV's to watch the sports and a Golden Tee game to keep my husband happy.

    (4)

  • Em J.

    This place has multiple personalities. It is a different place, depending on when you are there.... e.g. time of day and season. I'm a bit conflicted with the place, I like it, I don't like it. Overall, I guess it is okay. Off-season this is a nice place to hang out and have a snack and or a drink. During peak season, I sometimes don't care for all the FIPS there, but a decent mix of locals helps to alleviate this. In the evenings the place is very different and seems to have a bit more of a club feel.... a club that can't quite make up its mind. I've been in there and really got into the party mode, but I've also been there and felt like I was back in college partying with the frat kids. What I do like is the selection of drinks. Nice beers on tap. Service is always good. And I like the view and the open feel of the place. Nothing better than sitting in there on a nice sunny day to have a beer and just relax after a long bike ride.

    (3)

  • William H.

    Best bar in New Buffalo... it has a rooftop deck, great food, live music and is generally just a good time. Stop in for lunch on the way to the beach or for a nice night out. Weekdays are much slower... but the staff is still friendly and I always have a great time...

    (5)

  • Kate X.

    Nice pub grub and beer selection. Family restaurant. Kitchen is fast.

    (3)

  • Linda R.

    We have been spending every weekend in NB for 12 years now and have eaten at The Stray Dog several times . . . mostly when we just want a quick late night sandwich within walking distance of our boat. The Stray Dog makes their money on tourists and yet you wouldn't know it by their customer service. Last year I bought a Stray Dog sweatshirt for my son in October but wanted to save it for a Christmas present. The young lady who helped me said that would be fine. If I had my receipt and the tags still on the shirt, returning wouldn't be a problem even the following Spring. Naturally the sweatshirt was too small so when I took it back in Feb to exchange for a larger size, a different young girl told me I only had 30 days to return it even if I didn't want my money back. When I told her what I was originally told, she was unrelenting so I asked for the name and # of the owner. About a week later I called the number I was given and the owner answered. When she found out why I was calling, she said that no one in her store would have told me that I could return it after 30 days and that the policy is posted on the wall, which I never saw and no one ever pointed to a sign. And then she reamed me out for calling on her cell phone, which I didn't know was her cell #. When I told her I was calling on the number her employee gave me, once again she said none of her employees would do that. So, how then did I get that number. For a business that relies on tourist trade, she had a strange way of showing it. The sweatshirt said "The Stray Dog" right on it so she knew it came from her store. I finally sold it to a friend for her son but will never buy any piece of clothing from them again and will tell as many people as possible what happened to me. I now choke when I think about eating in there.

    (1)

  • Amy D.

    Good food, staff's great. Drink are reasonable. We sat in the bar and had great service.

    (5)

  • L. R.

    I really like the Stray Dog. It's a fun place with a great atmosphere. Great salads, desserts and sandwiches. Great place for kids and teens alike.

    (4)

  • Adam W.

    Great atmosphere! Rooftop patio is the best place to enjoy a view of New Buffalo. Also, occasionally have live music here. Menu has a variety of pizzas, sandwiches, etc. Nothing too fancy, but a great place to grab lunch or dinner on any occasion.

    (4)

  • Daniel L.

    Positives: Food is great. Atmosphere bright and theme is fun. Service is friendly. Negatives: Metal chairs at the round tops are almost tortuously uncomfortable. There's hardly a veggie on the menu (salads and potatoes don't count).

    (4)

  • Greg L.

    This place burned to the ground last year. Now it is back. So far, better than before. Though the rooftop deck was closed last week, so the final verdict is yet to be decided. The hostess takes your name and phone number if you have to wait and they will text you when your table is ready. This is a big improvement over loud speakers or yelling over the crowd to find the people who are ready to be seated. I had a turkey burger, it was delicious. The veggie tacos looked great as well. There are lots of beers on tap, including some local. There is a small parking lot in back, but turnover is high and there are spots on the street for all the shops in the area.

    (4)

  • Laura B.

    We took refuge here during the great snowpacolypse of 2014. Even though it was empty we received impeccable service. The food was served piping hot. Perfect thing to warm us up! Lots of options for vegetarians like myself. I settled on a veggie burger with cheddar, BBQ sauce and caramelized onions, though the veggie tacos looked delicious! The best part of this restaurant is the gorgeous decor! I will be spending the next two weeks trying to figure out how to make those tree branch lights for my own home. Just lovely ambiance!

    (5)

  • Erika C.

    Location, location, location! Steps away from the public beach in New Buffalo. Organized, friendly, decent pub grub. Not the best food ever but a good burger and a good server go a long way when you are wet, sandy, hungry and primarily Thirsty. We choose this place again and again for a quick bite after our beachy summer days.

    (4)

  • Jon N.

    My wife and I took the day to drive up into southwestern Michigan. We ended up in New Buffalo and based on some friends' recommendation we went to the Stray Dog. It was an awesome day outside so we ate upstairs! I ordered pizza #1, a combination of sausage, pepperoni, onions, and tomatoes. I could tell they made the crust from scratch and the sauce was very good. I was very happy with my choice. My wife on the other hand ordered the mahi maui sandwich which we loved as well. It came with mango salsa which could have had a bit more mango flavor but overall she would order it again. I'm not sure what the complaints are about the place. We thought the food was great and the service was outstanding. What I would give for upcoming winter days where I could sit outside in 75 degree weather looking at the harbor....

    (4)

  • Heather L.

    Really great beach side restaurant/bar. We ate at the bar as the wait was a gazzillion hours in the restaurant. Quick service. Bright open space. Hopping on a Sunday afternoon in the summer. Probably my favorite of the tourist restaurants in the area. As it is brand new, it has a slightly more upscale feel than some of the divey burger places. Not sure I would want my kids with me in the crowded bar but for a group of adults just off the wine trail, it was perfect.

    (5)

  • Marie S.

    Typically I review on the food and the service and had I just been doing that, I would only give The Stray Dog two stars because while the food was some of the best lunch food we've ever had, the service was by far, the worst service we've ever had. We pulled in the parking area(actually got a spot right off the street) and noticed there was a teenager who was sitting in a little lifeguard-looking stand, watching over the lot. We had our yellow lab in the car, so we offered him a few bucks to make sure nobody stole our car that we left running (and unlocked) to keep the dog comfortable. We were seated within a few minutes (would have been seated sooner at a high top table, but with a toddler with us, we couldn't do that). Then, it seemed as if we were forgotten about. When the waitress finally showed up, flustered looking and apologetic after a good ten minutes, we were ready to order. We placed our orders and another ten minutes later she brought our waters to the table, sans straws (hard to get a toddler to drink out of a cup with a lid when there is no straw). We finally got our food, and my fries and grouper were tasty, but lukewarm and the toddler's food was scorching hot, as was his plate. Hubby ordered the Maui burger and said it was by far, the best burger he's ever had anywhere. Toddler's corn dogs and fries were great once we got them cooled down and my grouper and fries were tasty. When I asked for napkins and silverware, she looked at me like I had a third head and made a snarky comment about how that was the hostess' job and not hers. She never came back to refill our drinks, disappeared for the majority of the meal. The table of four ladies next to us was asked by the manger if all was okay and they explained that that waitress was the worst they have ever had and the manager promptly took over taking care of them. I wish she would have asked us the same thing :-( I asked for my check and I kid you not, it took 15 minutes to get it!!!! I was watching my clock. For being a tourist town, they need to get their crap together with their service so that people who are passing through like us that want to stop and see the water, actually have time to see the water after eating, not waste 90 minutes at lunch.

    (3)

  • Amy B.

    I love The Stray Dog! Every time I visit New Buff I usually find myself here several times. The new rooftop bar is even better than before. If you're in the mood for some really good pub food...make sure to stop by the Stray Dog. And across the street is the Gear Shop. I HIGHLY recommend the sweat pants. I have several pairs.

    (5)

  • Jamie M.

    Highly recommend the southwest egg rolls so good! Everything we had was good. Get a flight of beer to sample. Our waiter was excellent

    (4)

  • Paula S.

    Busy busy day! Husband and I sat at the bar and were promptly waited on and told we could eat our meal at the bar! We were given the best of service and our meals were served to us hot and tasty. The noise level was a bit too much, otherwise I can't wait to visit again!

    (4)

  • Alexa E.

    Enjoyed a visit to the Stray Dog over the weekend on a visit to see family in New Buffalo. The Stray Dog reopened a few weeks ago due to a fire and subsequent rebuild... Wow, they did a fabulous job! Atmosphere/Decor: I would describe the Stray Dog as a modern-clean-crisp-beachy restaurant. The main restaurant is open, simple and clean while the rooftop deck is equipped with a bar, small seating area, and cafe tables with umbrellas. Service: Everyone is friendly, kind, and attentive. There was a 25 minute wait for rooftop seating, so we grabbed a beer at the bar. Bartender was helpful in providing a beer list and sample! Once seated (you receive a text once your seat is available) we were greeted by our waitress who was a very bubbly girl with a decent amount of knowledge on the menu. Upon leaving, we asked someone at the downstairs host stand where the name "Stray Dog" came from and they were happy to share the story with us.... [The owners rescued a stray dog and named him Jack, soon after they decided to open a restaurant and chose the name "Stray Dog" as it would be more catchy than a place named "Jack's". Additionally, the owner's daughter runs her own rescue shelter, on select days during the year all proceeds from Stray Dog t-shirt sales go to the rescue shelter. How cool is that??] Drinks: Cocktails are made with fresh ingredients, but a bit steep in price. The boyfriend ordered a margarita which was served in a short glass and cost $12, just a bit costly. The beer list is great; decent selection of craft beers. Food: We started with the hummus appetizer plate; the hummus is definitely made in house, it's absolutely delicious, as are the warm pita bread pieces.... Yumm!! Next, I ordered the BBQ pulled pork sandwich (w/caramelized onions, per my request) which came with fries and pickles. The meat was so tender and flavorful, the sauce was very tasty, and the fries were fresh and crisp. The boyfriend ordered the Ahi Tuna sandwich w/fries, which he enjoyed every bite! Overall: What a great place!! Awesome atmosphere (and location), Awesome food, Great service! The Stray Dog is a must when you're in New Buffalo!!

    (5)

  • EB H.

    Very Tasty! we came back from vacationing in mi and this was a great way to end our trip! I'm super happy that they recovered from the fire and are back and running. They have a really nice system of texting you a web address where you can see how many parties are ahead of you which is awesome! I haven't been to the original stray dog but the new one totally looks like it could have been redone by Resturant Impossible!The location is awesome and the decor is cute and rustic. The jalapeno poppers were delish! I got the El Diablo burger and it was fantastic! We will definitely come back!

    (4)

  • Pearl T.

    Cute place. Love the ambiance, drinks and food. Came here several times (with hubby and four year old) in the evening and sat in the indoor patio. Their ginger margaritas are awesome! Apparently they make their own ginger simple syrup for it. We've had burgers here which never disappoint. The little man usually gets the chicken strips, which he likes... I like the fact that they are actual breast pieces.

    (5)

  • Lisa R.

    My husband and I had lunch here today, once again amazing! Be prepared to wait for a table, there is always (seriously, always) a wait! That means it's great right? Open airy atmosphere in the bar area where we love to sit. Drinks are reasonably priced and wonderful! Upscale bar menu type food, sandwiches, salads, pizzas. Top notch server! Hubs loves the fish tacos and I had a pizza (#3 with portabella mushrooms, spinach, roasted tomato, roasted garlic and white sauce). Very very good. The only reason I gave it 4 instead of 5 stars is that the place is LOUD! Always. High ceilings mean the sound carries throughout and also the allow kids to dine in the bar area. That to me is odd and because they have other seating areas for families so to me the tables in the bar should be for adults in my humble opinion so we can have an adult day out! Other than that we love this place and will be back soon!

    (4)

  • Elaine M.

    I know this place is really for the weekend tourist but I still really like it. It has a fun, "hey, we're all here for a beach weekend" vibe. Located a block from the beach you know people are coming in for a bite of lunch and maybe to escape the heat for a moment - well at least we were. Pretty basic grill food. Burgers and such. We started our meal by sharing a plate of "Stray Dog Veggies" - this is your basic vegetable tray with ranch dressing for dipping. A nice way to begin lunch. To drink, I ordered half lemonade half ice tea. It was not very good, very weak flavored however they did keep it filled. For lunch I had the Windward burger and my husband the standard cheeseburger. The Windward came with guacamole and colby jack cheese. Both plates came with fries. The burgers were very good with that nice smokey grill flavor. The standout item however was the Sunset Shrimp - chilled shrimp smothered in spicy gazpacho topped with guacamole, that our friend ordered. It was packed with shrimp and delicious. Cute t-shirts sold here too!

    (4)

  • Anthony C.

    The Stray Dog is the Michigan equivalent of Popeye's in Lake Geneva, WI - which is to say it's a tourist destination for Chicago vacationers and day trippers. This is confirmed by the stand alone Gear Shop across the street that sells t-shirts, sweatshirts, hats, glasses, stickers, etc., etc. The rebuild after the fire is nice - clean, bright and cozy. The rooftop dining is probably very nice in the summer but I'm sure there's a wait. Food is always consistent and good; portions are very generous and prices are reasonable. The service last time was very good and the waitress let us sample a few beers before buying. And now on to the beer, which is why I knocked off a star on my review. Even though the Stray Dog has probably 20 beers on tap - besides the mediocre Stella - they are all US craft beers. This seems to be a disturbing trend, especially in Michigan. I have nothing against IPAs, Coffee Stouts, Porters, etc. - but there seems to be a new microbrewery popping up every day making pretty much the same thing. Even the wineries in the area are starting to open brew pubs - what's up with that? Bottom line - give me a couple of quality German or Austrian pilsners to choose from and enjoy - not another craft brewed ale with a goofy name that is the only way to distinguish it from someone else.

    (3)

  • Fran W.

    This place is a great stop on the way to Chicago! Good food, good staff, good atmosphere! We stopped in during the off season in February and it was busy just like I bet it would be in the summer. Definitely recommend this place

    (5)

  • Carly L.

    We came back to the Stray Dog while back in Michigan this week. I had the chicken tacos and my husband had the fish tacos. They were pretty darn good. His tacos had a sauce on them. I thought mine could have used the same sauce for a lil kick. Also, it would have been nice if they were served with rice or something of that matter. But, this is always a safe bet when coming into New Buffalo.

    (4)

  • C M J.

    What a fun place! EXCELLENT SERVICE! Local Michiganders, we thought we would visit before the beach crowds arrived - the place was still packed! Appetizers were just OK to me, -the raspberry dipping sauce that came with the SW egg rolls was especially good. As Guy Fieri would say, "you could put that on a flip-flop and it would be good." Fish tacos and pulled pork sliders came recommended by server and were truly enjoyed. Really good fries. Agree with Amanda about service - above and beyond. We will definitely be back.

    (4)

  • Erica A.

    Such a cool restaurant. Food was delicious. Fun atmosphere. Will definitely return. Kids enjoyed all of the pics of dogs.

    (5)

  • Martha M.

    First visit since they rebuilt. Great service and great food in relaxed atmosphere. Had the southwest salad and bacon lettuce tomato sandwich. Large portions. Look forward to dining on the rooftop when the weather gets warmer.

    (5)

  • Chris M.

    This was a great find in New Buffalo Michigan. The weather was perfect out and was a great day to sit on the big outside deck on second floor. You could see the lake through the trees. When it got a little chilly out at night they put the heating lamps on immediately. The service was great and so was the food. The Chinese chicken salad was excellent and huge portion and my husband loved the fish tacos. The wine by the glass was reasonably priced. The beer selection is great too. The inside of the restaurant looked nice. We loved this establishment and will be back.

    (5)

  • David N.

    Very enjoyable first and second visit this past weekend. Service was a bit sketchy at first, maybe they smelled out-of-towners. After the initial settling in period, we seemed to find our niche. Two visits recently netted a superb beer selection and some fantastic pizza. Seriously, their pizza was exquisite. We grabbed a spinach, garlic, tomato pizza and were blown away. Followed that up with their Greek style (kalamata olives, feta, red onions) which was an instant favorite. Not many places can you guzzle Three Floyds, Bell's, Founders, and nosh on pizza worthy of uncontrollable drool. If you're visiting family, checking out Four Winds or Blue Chip, stop here and grab some pizza and beers. It WILL be worth it.

    (5)

  • jennifer d.

    Maybe a good place to go if you want to have cocktails and some greasy bar food on a rooftop patio. This place is definitely quantity over quality. Good place to go with kids as it is very kid friendly and LOUD! Don't expect very good food though.

    (3)

  • Jen M.

    We just got back to our hotel from a fabulous experience at the Stray Dog Bar and Grill. The atmosphere was fun and even played music that I enjoy listening to (this doesn't happen often). Our server was a fantastic help to us. As we were looking through the menu, we found ourselves having a very difficult time making choices as everything sounded so great. Our server was able to offer her suggestions from her own experiences with the food at Stray Dog. We ended up ordering the nachos and a pizza. The nachos were generously portioned with tons of toppings. The pizza we chose was their #6: a green pizza (pesto sauce) with feta and mozzarella, kalamata olives, red onions, and oven dried tomatoes. It was FANTASTIC! The best way to sum up our experience is this: the food was so good that we brought our leftovers back to our hotel room and are trying to keep them in a sink of ice so that we can eat them tomorrow. I would definitely come back to the Stray Dog on future trips to the area.

    (5)

  • Rashi R.

    If you are looking for a wonderful place to have a cold drink and warm delicious food.....this is the spot! I spent the day with friends the entire afternoon on the rooftop enjoying lunch and drinks! Amazing service by Ondi! Thank you Ondi for making our day! Enjoy!

    (5)

  • Jim V.

    If you're in New buffalo and want to go out, this is the place to do it. Usually very lively inside, and typically live music and dancing. There was a fire last summer, and it is set to open June 27, 2013

    (4)

  • Starr T.

    Your not going to get a bad meal here, the Fish Tacos are amazing. Great staff, ambiance, location. It's really a great place.

    (5)

  • Nichole C.

    This is my third time at The Stray Dog and I have yet to be disappointed. The place is big so there's always a seat somewhere, it's kitschy yet also has beautiful trees and lights up around the bar and the fireplace (and it HAS a fireplace...), has a great view of the lake, has great food (GREAT FOOD!), and is a purveyor of fine MI craft brews (ummm...Huma-Lupa-Licious, will you marry me?). What more could you ask for? OH! And for those of you who are craving Stray Dog gear, there is not only a counter in the restaurant but there is also a WHOLE STORE across the street that sells everything Stray Dog. Boom. Go there.

    (5)

  • Lorna M.

    Great place to people watcha while sitting at the bar. Wings are good, French onion soup is very good. Spinach Artichoke dip leaves a lot to be desired. Not spinachy or artichokey at all and at $8.00, it would be nice. Husband likes the selection of Draft Craft beers. Mixed drinks are good.

    (3)

  • James T.

    Ever since the rebuild this place has grown increasingly more in popularity. The rooftop is a fabulous place to spend an afternoon enjoying some drinks and some great food. And best of all there's no children allowed on the roof.

    (5)

  • Cory P.

    Eh. That about covers it. If you're looking to hang out will the yachting group, this is the place for you. The view from the upstairs deck is great and that's about it. Their is nothing interesting or unique on their menu and that includes drinks. A little stuffy for my taste with not enough to offer.

    (2)

  • Jonathan K.

    If your going here on a Saturday be prepared to wait at least an hour. Ours was 1 hour and 45 minutes and we arrived at 7:15pm. The good thing is you can put your name on a list (via iPad) for inside and out (the deck) the deck was where we landed and at around 9 pm and it was very delightful. One issue we had was no cell service inside so we had to keep checking the list to see the progress. Drinks- lots of decent craft beers on tap some from local breweries which is expected. Martini's were so so,kinda over priced. Food- average, typical pub food.(just about every pub has the same menu) Cost was about right. My wife and I had smoked pulled pork and the buffalo wrap. All in all, if you want to go out and have some drinks and a simple meal this place is perfect. Just don't go here on an empty stomach and expect to eat quickly on a weekend evening.

    (3)

  • Torrey R.

    If you are interested in great ambiance, this is the place to be. Their "patio" was actually screened with windows that could be opened for fresh air. They had trees with white lights that were beautiful. There wasn't a band the night we were there but they had really great music playing in the back ground. Their food was only so-so. We ordered the buffalo chicken pizza which was just a little too spicy for my taste. The crust was too crunchy and actually tore up the roof of my mouth. I would go there again for the beer selection but certainly not the pizza.

    (3)

  • Celia Z.

    We often drive across New Buffalo on our way home from Chicago, so we decided to try Stray Dog today, having heard that it was a famous attraction in New Buffalo. When we arrived, we were promptly seated in the back dining room, in the corner, overlooking the lake. There was something so special to the restaurant: the design was simple, and the lights around the sun-lit room felt so relaxing. I felt as if I was on vacation on a resort. The food was somewhat delicious. My favorite was the grilled fresh grouper sandwich with fries. The roumenade that came with the sandwich was delicious, and added an extra tang to the sandwich, which was already so juicy and calling me to eat more. The fries were also crunchy and well deserving of the calories. The Chicken Tacos were tasty but nothing special, and the wings were comparable to the ones I can easily get at Pizza Hut. The orange juice was from concentrate, which annoyed me as well--I'm a fresh, pure ingredients kind of girl. In the empty town of New Buffalo, Stray Dog is bustling with hundreds of customers. While after I got home I was calling out for water from the 10,000 grams of sodium, overall it was a solid meal and a very good atmosphere, with the fish sandwich leading the upside. Next stop: Redamaks.

    (3)

  • Tom S.

    There food is excellent! Being a vegetarian I ordered the avocado tacos, the manager and bartender said no MSG in our menu, knowing how strong msg is the sauce on the tacos did have the taste, so I just eat them hoping they didn't, 30 mins later bartender came over and said sorry the tacos do! They need to get on same page, some people have allergic reactions to msg. Drinks are good with nice atmosphere.

    (4)

  • Mary B.

    Love this place, location, and decor. I had the delicious Maui burger...delish!!

    (5)

  • Adam K.

    This place is the Freshman Wrigleyville bar of New Buff. Enough. I get it, every one of your shirts have the logo, it was a great summer, thank you yes, we all have driven an hour outside of Chicago and picked one up. Food was bad, service was ok, had a lot of people, drank some beers. REALLY LOUD???!!?!?!??! WH444AAAAT??!T? Thank you. Pretty cheap at least.

    (2)

  • Kevin G.

    This is a great place!! You can sit inside or out, and if it isn't too hot out, I would recommend the upper level deck. You can look out at the harbor and see local boats docked. Right across the road is the Stray Dog Gear Shop, and what better way to support your furry friends, than by purchasing some awesome gear with part of the proceeds helping stray dogs. I ordered the Ahi Tuna, and it was AMAZING! Seared perfectly and just the right amount of spice to give the sandwich a kick. We spit the steak nachos as a table, and the entire plate was clean, in a matter of minutes. I ate with four other adults, and everyone loved their food. My husband ordered the fish tacos, and I had a bite and they were delicious. Fresh cole slaw, and greatly seasoned fish. I would recommend this place to anyone visiting the New Buffalo area. We actually stayed in Coloma, MI and drove just to eat here! Well worth the drive.

    (4)

  • Chris Y.

    The Stray Dog has been rebuilt in 2013 due to the devastating fire the summer of 2012. They maintained the integrity of the layout and enhanced everything. The menu has all the favorites with expansions like a delicious Kale salad that you can add grill Chicken etc. to. The service is fantastic and they have a state of the art system that gives you real time updates on your progress as you wait for a table. The roof top bar has been expanded and opens the second week of July. This is truly a favorite spot in Harbor Country. Don't miss it!

    (4)

  • Dave L.

    Is what its supposed to be - decent pub-ish food, good saloon, very good Bloody Mary's. Fun rooftop deck. T-shirts galore thanks to a good marketing concept and affluent, family oriented customer base. Place just burned to ground last night. 7/17/12. Will be closed for some time.

    (3)

  • Katy S.

    What an awesome atmosphere! The Stray Dog is located very close to Lake Michigan and certainly has a beachy vibe. We stopped in right around sunset and really enjoyed the view from the rooftop patio. We sampled some cocktails, which were unique and refreshing. We also had the nachos, which were a very big portion and were quite tasty. I had the buffalo chicken flatbread and the sauce was just spicy enough. Our service wasn't great and we felt like we had to get the waitress' attention several times, but I still feel that based on food and atmosphere this was a 4 star experience. Definitely a spot to check out if you are in the New Buffalo area!

    (4)

  • Rebecca C.

    I've been coming to the New Buffalo area at least once a year for the past 16 years. I always wondered what the hype was about the Stray Dog. For the past three years, my family and I have attempted to eat at The Stray Dog. We opted out of waiting the hour plus wait until this year. We finally gave in and put our name in for the hour wait. First off, we have always had a sour experience with the hostesses. They have always been rude and inconsiderate. I'm guessing they need some better training on customer service. Second, they only take phone cell phone numbers to text you when your table is ready. Although I applaud them for being technologically savvy, we choose to not carry our phones when I vacation. They offer no alternative method to notify customers of their tables. A pager would be nice. Third, the food is nothing exceptional. With all the raves, I was expecting some extraordinarily excellent food. I got the steak salad, which was good, but not to die for. Lastly, our server and the other wait staff seemed to be bothered when we asked them any question or wanted to order anything additional. This is a sign to me that they might be over worked and under staffed. UPDATE: tried to call in a take out order and they won't take take out orders on the weekends. I called on a Friday. Last I checked, Friday is a WEEKDAY! We are homebound with sick kids on vacation... Ugh! They lost our business.

    (2)

  • Greg G.

    Not impressed. Place was well reviewed but underwhelmed. Was getting 2 stars until manager came and offered to comp the cold fish tacos. Waitstaff and manager were nice and atmosphere okay. Nice outdoor dining. Signature hot dog was really no more than a bacon wrapped dog. Prices on most of food was reasonable, $6 for hot dog and fries. Seemed to have good choices on menu, but would rate everything we sampled as mediocre. Margaritas WAY overpriced ($10 for 8oz). Chips and salsa was $6 with no refills. Service was extremely slow (2 hours overall) in addition to 30 minute wait. Not sure what all the fuss was about but won't be headed back and recommend you find another joint. One last redeeming quality. My son forgot his electronic device and waitress was nice enough to bring it back. Still nowhere near good enough to garner it a 4.

    (3)

  • Victoria Putri T.

    Great atmosphere. I went on a gorgeous sunny day. The location is slaking distance from New Buffalo City Beach. Absolutely beautiful area. The menu is mostly American food with a few Mexican dishes like tacos. If you're not getting a seat outside then it'll probably be dim for you. The design of the restaurant is a modern beachy feel to it. Wooden tables go so well! The burger was not mind blowing tasty. But I give their veggie tacos are 9/10 for sure. You gotta try the spinach artichoke dip &a chips! It's an appetizer, but it was my favorite dish. Thee chicken buffalo sliders were delicious as well, but if you're hungry I don't think it would be filling. It's an overall great restaurant and very reasonably priced, definitely coming again!

    (4)

  • Linda D.

    Place is nice, but we waited around 45 min. To get a table on Saturday night. I ordered a Chicago style dog and tasted very good. No desserts are offered in this place. Is an average place to have a good dinner with friends but nothing special...

    (3)

  • Nick L.

    Now look, this is really 3.5 stars. Best thing about this place is that it's in this awesome Town. Just get here, make sure it's nice out, or not, who cares? It's a freaking paradise! Now bout this joint. Families loovveee this stuff. Drunk tourists looovvveee this stuff. I liked it. Staff is super nice, like, you want to tip them extra for being chill ass folks. Food was ok, I mean, I didn't go, "Wow." But I didn't hate it. Oh and get the tacos and get yo self a seat at the beach.

    (3)

  • Elizabeth F.

    I remember coming here all the time as a child when we vacationed in New Buffalo, and the important parts haven't changed a bit. The food and drink is still great, the location can't be beat, and the gear they sell is still high-quality and great for all ages. We came on a Saturday and they told us the wait was 30-45 minutes. They took our cell number and we went next door to the gift store to peruse. 15-20 minutes later, we received a text saying our table was ready. I appreciate restaurants who over-estimate their wait times. This trip, I got the fish tacos and a small Caesar salad. People in our group had a pizza, grouper sandwich, veggie tacos, a pulled pork sandwich, a fried fish sandwich and clam chowder. All around, the food was great and service was speedy. No complaints!

    (5)

  • Claudine M.

    Great place to stop by a have a great meal with friends. My friends and I were on our way back to Chicago and kept seeing signs to the restaurant so we gave it a go. The restaurant itself had a lively feel and their bathrooms are covered with collages of dogs. Nice theme! They have very cute merchandise too and a cool patio for those warm days. Service was great. Our server was fast and very nice. I got the kale salad with chicken and we also split some nachos. Was really tempted to get a shake there as well but I saved it for some other day!

    (4)

  • Veronica P.

    Beautiful spacious place w a nice fun rooftop. Great to watch sport games if u sit by the bar-Drinks all look great but the mezcal ones are the tastiest. Great atmosphere and yummy food. Everyone here was very friendly and just in a great mood. No complaints on Location or service! Thumbs up for sure!

    (5)

  • Dhwani S.

    Awesome food, great ambiance, and amazing service! We had such a great time...be sure to check out the stray dog gear shop! Got me a super cute sweatshirt :)

    (5)

  • Kathy P.

    I can't complain. Food was bar which is to be expected. Wait wasn't long for a Friday night. Bathroom was clean (#1 priority). And service was good. I'm satisfied with this bar and grill.. 5 stars I can't complain other than the parking is limited.

    (5)

  • Melody F.

    Like they even NEED my review. This place is so well loved that when I got there just after they opened there was a line around the building. But I didn't have to wait long for a table and though there was a little delay on the food, it was all fantastic. We split the jalapeno poppers and I had the siracha chicken sliders - fantastic. My husband got the stray dog (a bacon wrapped hotdog topped with caramelized onions) and for $2 extra was able to upgrade it to 2 stray dogs. I believe my husband also had a very good fruit tea. Passion fruit, maybe.

    (5)

  • Michael H.

    My wife and I stopped in for lunch on a Sunday in August. Needless to say, it was difficult to find parking and there was a long wait for a table. We found seats at the bar and caught a Cubs game on one of many flat screens throughout the restaurant. Great lunch menu and beer selection. We tried the chicken and blue cheese buffalo style pizza. It was a bit too greasy for my taste. I'd stick with the wraps or burger. Rooftop was closed due to rain but I'm sure it's a nice option. It'd be nice if it was located on the water but you can't have it all. Seems that Stray Dog is hurting other more "established" businesses in the area that weren't anywhere near as crowded.

    (4)

  • Doug B.

    Awesome food and drinks on the rooftop dining room. Service was great and pricing was very fair. We chose this location from other Yelpers and they didn't let us down.

    (4)

  • Courtney H.

    This was my favorite stop out of everywhere we went during our Bachelorette weekend this past weekend. They don't take reservations and we were a party of 11 so they quoted us about a 1.5-2 hour wait. We headed upstairs, got some drinks and waited on the rooftop patio. Most of our group was actually able to sit down while we waited which was nice. They will not serve any food or appetizers to you while you're waiting at the bar which sort of was weird, but no big deal. We waited almost the quoted time, but again, we were a large group. It was a nice night with good company so it was fine. They also had the Blackhawks game playing at the bar so that was nice. We finally sat down on the patio and started with drinks and appetizers. The menu had lots to choose from and I think everyone got something different. The hummus plate was decent, the nachos were very good and the jalapeno poppers were insane..they were VERY hot. I had half of one and that was about all I could do. Their portions of food are HUGE so my friend and I shared the turkey club sandwich. It was really good and fresh. It came with fries as well. I got a side salad beforehand, which had plenty of fresh veggies and homemade dressing. After we ate we sat for a bit, people ordered more drinks and we just talked. There was a great breeze and the patio lights went on so it was just a great, relaxed setting. I would for sure go back! Service was good and prices were decent. They also have a store across the street where I got a cute Stray Dog shot glass.

    (4)

  • Kristi W.

    This is a great place!! The staff was wonderful. The roof top was so nice & the view was terrific. Frozen drinks were yummy. We had a grass-fed beef burger & it was delish!!! Can't wait to go back!!!

    (5)

  • Paige W.

    Had to wait about 15-20 mins for a table, but it was a Sunday so that's no big deal. The hostess was very nice and accommodating. There were 4 of us sat in the backroom. It was nice and bright and we were all happy to eat at here. My Mom had talked about it for years and we detoured our trip home specifically to stop and eat. The food was good. My brother ordered a french dip and mom ordered the blackened chicken. My sister and I shared a medium rare burger. The burger came and was over cooked- almost well done which was a surprise to our table because our server, Blain, when asked why our food was taking so long said he "put it in 14 minutes ago" and "the grassfed burger takes longer to cook". Could have done without the snarky server.

    (2)

  • Allen W.

    My family and I had a wonderful dining experience today on our last day of vacation. Heather was out server and did an amazing job,always smiling and willing to even entertain our younger kids. It was very nice to see managers walking around helping the staff and checking on us to make sure we were having a good lunch. We now have a new favorite places to go while on vacation. We absolutely love the food and the atmosphere.

    (5)

  • Meghan P.

    The food was amazing! We went with a group of 8. Nachos, potstickers, poppers, rueben, burgers, pizza, salad, French onion soup and fish tacos. The drinks were made well. Our bartender was very attentive. It was all outstanding. My only complaint is that they said it would be an hour and a half wait, two hours later we were still waiting and ended up just ordering food at the bar.

    (4)

  • Chuck W.

    Lauren B. on the rooftop was the best! Thanks for making us feel at home!! Great job and WE WILL be back tomorrow!!! We highly recommend anyone stopping by, please ask to be seated in Lauren's section!

    (5)

  • Tom M.

    We have been coming here for as long as we have been coming to New Buffalo (except for the rebuild year after the fire). This is the place to be in New Buffalo but that's about it...the place to be. I like the menu better pre-fire and the fact that there's no more roof top bands also takes away from our experience. When we stopped the other day I had the chicken sandwich but it needed a side of buffalo sauce and my wife had the turkey club both of which were good but just that, not worth waiting an hour for. We like the rooftop venue and that's about all that keeps us coming back....we miss the bands.

    (3)

  • Ekta S.

    Great food, good for kids and big groups. Entrees were surprisingly cheap for the quality and size! Good spot to go to if u r in town

    (5)

  • D W.

    Food relatively ok. Summer months a little too busy. Somewhat overpriced. Cobb salad spread out over a wide flat plate to give impression there was a bowl of salad. May return in the winter...

    (3)

  • Lindsay H.

    Not even a busy weekend summer night and the service was sooooo slow, and our server didn't give us an explanation or an apology. I got the Cobb salad and the chicken in it was weird hard dry bits. Pretty disappointing. Also more gluten free options would be great.

    (3)

  • Gretchen R.

    This place had an awesome menu with some great drinks. I had a salad off the menu which was so big I had to take half home. It had all kinds of good stuff on it and the in-house dressing that was made was delicious. I also got a mixed drink off of their drink menu. Also very good! I want to come back here to try everything on the menu because it was so hard to choose. I love the feel and the atmosphere in the restaurant, and if there's a wait there's plenty of places to walk around to shop outside.

    (5)

  • Jesse J.

    Excellent kale salad, especially if you add seared tuna. Enjoyed the guac and chips as well, but on our second visit the chips were stale. The upstairs patio has a beachy vibe but it's not worth the forever wait (in the sun no less)-- the interior downstairs has a great vibe too and is a more reasonable temperature, plus seemed to have better staff (and fresher chips). The fries are way too good, don't order those if you are watching the beach bod. Definitely will be back.

    (4)

  • Ben B.

    The atmosphere here is very cool. I liked the decoration and the employees were all very friendly. I ordered a cheeseburger and thought it was pretty darn good. Definitely juicy and decently thick. The fries were quite bland, though. We also ordered queso fundido and I was disappointed. Way too much chorizo and the cheese wasn't quite the velvety goodness I'd hoped. It was more matted and coagulated. Also, our server didn't bring small plates along with it, so we had to eat it off the singular serving plate. The place was packed, so we didn't see our server much. I wish I could go back when it was a little less busy and maybe check out their rooftop deck. Also, MAJOR props for being the only real late-night option in New Buffalo. (Are there others? Let me know, if so.)

    (3)

  • Nathalia S.

    My husband and I went there for dinner on our anniversary. We were in the area for a wine tour, and were looking for something casual and outdoors after a long day winery hopping -- this place was perfect! The atmosphere is great, with the sunset view of the marina, the string lights, and the music. Very beachy. We had the chicken egg rolls as an appetizer. It came with a tasty raspberry sauce, and it was all delicious, but a little on the small size. My husband had their ribs, which he really enjoyed, and I had the Maui sandwich with chicken breast. We had a great time and would definitely stop by again if we're back in New Buffalo.

    (4)

  • Elaine M.

    We walked in with a large party. They told us there was a 30-45 minute wait and they took our cell # so they could text us when our table was ready. So we walked around town and killed some time at the library. 30 minutes later, we came back even though we didn't get a text. They tell us that they held our table for us for 25 minutes, but just released it. Turns out that they took down the wrong phone number and texted it 5 minutes after we left. We suggested that they verify / read back phone numbers in the future to prevent this from happening again. Got a disinterested "uh-huh" and no apologies. If there was another open restaurant in the area, we would have walked right back out. Once we were seated, the server was nice and the food was decent, but overpriced. I do not plan to come back here.

    (2)

  • Trista S.

    The poppers here are AMAZING! Their Bloody Mary is also really good. We always stop here on our way back to Chicago. Definitely worth stopping in if you're driving through Michigan!

    (5)

  • D Z.

    Retains the pre-fire atmosphere, yet fully updated. The drink and food menu has us visiting each time we are in the area. Love the roof, too!

    (4)

  • Lindsay J.

    A definite must stop in New Buffalo. So why would I only give it three stars you may ask??? Well, we sat at the bar and the customer service sucked. There were a series of four female bartenders who rotated to help us; one of them was semi-polite and the other three seemed as if they couldn't be bothered to help us. It was rude and annoying. On the plus side. Beers are reasonably priced for a tourist stop. The fish tacos were really delicious. The atmosphere was cool. The managers (at least I think that was their role) were very polite, all three of them. But, our tip was based on those who would split it, not the other things. I would go back if I find myself in New Buffalo again. I think I'd sit at a table, or make sure it was different bartenders if I was going to sit there. Bottom line: New Buffalo is a tourist town. I don't care what time if year it is, we just visited over Thanksgiving weekend, you must be nice to your bread and butter-tourists. We wanted to ask some questions about what to do while in town and got the brush off. We wanted to watch a different game in a tv, you'd have thought we asked the impossible. Those ladies sucked and made our night less enjoyable. The very friendly managers would be wise to have a talking to them.

    (3)

  • Erin Y.

    Love the look and feel of this restaurant. It's a great atmosphere to enjoy a meal in a cute little vacation town. I had the beer battered cod sandwich and it was pretty good, very crispy. That's the only food I ate here, but it was good food, and they also have a really nice gift shop next door with some cool shirts. Definitely worth a stop if you're ever near New Buffalo.

    (4)

  • Mary B.

    I know we were fortunate to get in without a wait. We wanted to sit on the rooftop but weren't even asked. They simply whisked us away to an inside table without asking. We thought about saying something, but we were hungry. There was a large group of people waiting for rooftop, and this was on Sunday afternoon about 3:15 or so. My friend found it a bit chilly so some may want to bring a light sweater if you chill easily. Although the waiter briefly messed up my order (forgot chicken add on to salad, corrected quickly) I loved my kale salad with its light summery dressing. My friend thought her salad was OK (Cobb?). I'm not a huge cocktail person but we both enjoyed ours, almost better than the meal. Definitely an interesting variety. I've been there twice, luckily without a wait. Last time there I had a very good burger. Experienced good service both times. Have had friends who waited and enjoyed experience on the roof top and inside.

    (4)

  • Bruce B.

    When will I learn. This place is good for Hot Dogs, Hamburgers and fries...ok the beers on tap are good. I suppose the ambience is good and the staff is very attentive. Beyond the aforementioned, the food sucks. I had a chicken wrap...everything tastes like the color grey: the chicken, lettuce, tomatoes, even the sauce. This isn't the first time but here I am...back for more abuse. I wonder how far in advance they prepare this stuff.

    (2)

  • Simon W.

    Wanted to dine here but couldn't due to the irony of ironies. We were in town with our dog trying to find a decent place to have lunch and needed a pet friendly place. We saw the cutesy name and saw that they had pictures of dogs all over the walls and assumed wrongly that they would have an outside area that might be dog friendly but alas we were not welcome with our furry friend.

    (1)

  • Bryan S.

    Just had lunch with my family at The Stray Dog. A group of 14. Because of our large party size, the wait was longer than expected. But once we were seated, our waitress was really good. She was very attentive and on top of things which is hard with a large group. I had the Buffalo Shrimp and would recommend it. My wife had the Cheese Quesadilla's and she also liked her meal. Great atmosphere.

    (4)

  • Tim D.

    Was impressed. Great service from a very pleasurable young lady. Think her name was yuma, or something close to it. Anyway ordered shrimp appetizer that was really good. Done right. Two full meals of Mahi tacos and a Grouper sandwich. Both were fantastic. Fish was done right, not over cooked like most places. Beer was good and cold. Nice selection. Sat upstairs and had a ball, nice rooftop.

    (4)

  • Eric G.

    I found out about this place from a couple new friends who live in the New Buffalo area that told my friend about it. Every now and then I hit New Buffalo's Four Winds casino and leave my usual donation while playing their tight slots. My friend wanted to go to check out Four Winds so before going there we decided to check out Stray Dog. First off the location is very quaint. I love the historic small downtown feel of New Buffalo. The greeter was polite and directed us to our seating in the sun room area and at a corner table near the windows. From our vantage point we were able to see the harbor area. The place was pretty busy considering it was a cold November Saturday. The place is quite large and from outside it looks like part of a ship. In the summer months they also have an outside seating area to really enjoy the harbor view. Our server was good and we were greeted by a manager a couple times to see how the service was going. My friend ordered their special pumpkin squash soup. He let me sample it and I enjoyed the taste. It was perfect to order on a cold day though I myself ordered a plate of their "peel and eat" shrimp. Those were nice and cold...and tasty...*LOL*. My main entree was their Maui burger with pineapple, swiss cheese, and teriyaki sauce. The burger was really good though it was a little too drowned in teriyaki sauce. My friend ordered the beer battered cod. He mistook it for fish and chips but it was a sandwich. He enjoyed it as well. I definitely will have to make my way back here. It'll be interesting to see how busy it is in the summer as it was packed even in the fall.

    (4)

  • Patrick K.

    Great food and very friendly people that work there. Stinks how long the waits are but it's pretty damn worth it. They have lots of beers on tap and their food is pretty damn good. Keep up the good work and build one in Chicago!

    (4)

  • Alina S.

    This place is located in the cutest little Michigan lake town. The name and the ambience are super. The whole place is made of reclaimed wooden elements as well as steel. Very cozy inside. The service was great, we got seated pretty fast and our server was very attentive. As for the food, the menu isn't that large. We got the siracha chicken sliders and they were impeccable! Prob the best part of the whole meal. We also got guac & chips. Those were ok. Few others in our party got wrap sandwiches, no complaints but no rave reviews either. The French dip was great. I got a burger with blue cheese and bacon. It was cooked well but was a bit under seasoned. The fries were light and airy. Overall, not bad. I'd come back! I did also get a super cute sweatshirt from their gear store which is a few steps from the restaurant.

    (3)

  • Veronica B.

    Great place for dining in New Buffalo! Great food and slow service....and the place is always packed! I actually appreciated not being rushed out of there...(there was a line of peeps waiting to get in!) Great place to take the entire family! Roof top seating area is fun in good weather! Fun dog pictures in the ladies room. Loves me a stray dog!

    (5)

  • Sharon S.

    We ate with our family. Everyone enjoyed their food, pizza and chicken. Good meal and fast service. Nice atmosphere. Friendly staff.

    (4)

  • Karen D.

    My family has been coming to New Buffalo for 12 summers. The Stray Dog is a staple and we go all the time. Fun with our teenage kids and always a great spot for a date night! We love the upper deck late night. Joe, the manager is so sweet and always makes a point to come and talk to us every time we are there. Good food but really it's the location and the friendly service that keeps us going back.

    (4)

  • Kiki T.

    Great food! Great Service! (Thanks Abby) Great vibe! Delish nachos!! Fab Cobb Salad! We will be back!

    (5)

  • C W.

    Food was excellent-- chicken n quinoa wrap and blue burger were delicious. Roof top seating was perfect--gorgeous day today at noon. Waitress was fair--she was okay but aloof, like she didn't want to be there. She could have sold us each another beer but never asked, so we had finished our beer and then just drank our water. BUT we all have bad days. If in the area I will definitely go back!!!

    (4)

  • Casey T.

    This place is fabulous!!! They are always busy and don't take reservations, so plan on waiting a bit. It will be well worth the wait, trust me! :) Decor is really cool and beachy!! The view is superb!! They have a super cool rooftop seating 21 and over - the view it to die for!! Their food is amazing!! Nachos are great, fish tacos are great too. They have a ton of amazing choices. There service is always above par, we have never had a bad experience dining here!! Can't wait to come back!

    (5)

  • Lisa S.

    We had a group of 4 on a beautiful, warm Saturday night and the wait for the outside area was 1 hour and 45 mins. We were willing to wait and were grateful that we were able to get some beers at the bar while we waited. It was crowded at the bar but the bartenders were attentive even with folks 2 deep trying to get drinks. Good beer selection. We had enough standing room that we didn't feel in the way of other patrons or the busy staff most of the time. 2 rounds of drinks later... Our table was ready just short of the wait time we were told. Service was outstanding. The food came out fast. We had poppers and wings as an app and the wings were really good, nice and crispy. The poppers were super spicy but tasty. Thankfully our server came by frequently to refill water which we needed after those poppers. Three of us had tacos and one had a turkey burger. We were all really happy with our meals. I was surprised that the shrimp in my tacos was cooked perfectly. I thought with such a busy kitchen they would be like rubber. I really expected this place to be over-rated but it certainly is not. I'm so glad we waited it out. The place is clean, nicely decorated and a great atmosphere and from what I saw, managed really well.

    (5)

  • Mike L.

    This place is quite busy and we eat here often. The service is usually good, as well as the food. They do call you on your cell phone when your table is ready, So you can walk around town for a while if there is a long wait. I usually order the baked onion soup and the fish tacos, both of which are quite tasty!

    (4)

  • Sallie S.

    Went to Stray Dog on a recent Monday afternoon for a late lunch/early dinner. We got there before the dinner rush so there was plenty of seating on the rooftop deck. It filled up pretty quickly around 6pm so if you don't want to wait I'd suggest heading there earlier in the day on a weekday. Weekends are busy all day long during peak season but waiting is normal for good places that attract a lot of visitors, so be aware and prepared that you might have a delay before you can sit down. We ordered the jalapeño poppers and a build-your-own pizza. The poppers are fresh peppers, not pickled, and have a panko-like breading with a mixed cream cheese/cheddar cheese filling. They were really good. The pizza had a chewy crust and plenty of cheese and toppings. The portions were fair for the price and the food arrived in a reasonable amount of time. We both had a couple of beers with our meal. The draft beer list was ok, 20 taps but there wasn't much for local/Michigan beer besides Greenbush. I think a place that has so many tourists visiting would benefit from having more Michigan beers on tap. We sat at the bar and the bartenders were attentive to making sure our water glasses were refilled quickly and that we didn't have to wait too long to order our drinks or food. We've eaten at the Stray Dog on other occasions, and our current visit was just as good as previous times. I'd recommend it to friends and we'll be back again.

    (4)

  • Shannon M.

    Always delicious!!! Love this place!!! Good atmosphere and good food!!! We have tried many things off the menu and have never been disappointed. The French dip and grilled chicken pita are amazing!!!

    (5)

  • Lois C.

    The food is so not worth the wait. Waited over one hour and 30 minutes for sandwiches . Not worth it .

    (1)

  • Alissa G.

    My husband and I are both got a grass fed burger - and both of us have felt sick since we left. Stinks that the restaurant clearly doesn't have good quality meat products in general but charging an extra $3 per gross burger is reprehensible. Avoid, avoid, avoid.

    (1)

  • Anna G.

    Great food. Great service! Drinks were delicious. I had the jalapeño margarita and it was one of the best drinks I've ever ordered at a restaurant. Mahi Mahi tacos are fresh and delicious. We definitely will have to come back!!

    (5)

  • Lee S.

    If you are a party of four or less, this place may be fine. But if you have a large party, don't bother. The staff seemed incredibly inexperienced and didn't know what to do with our group of 8, so they just ignored us. Everyone else that came in after us was seated. We watched a large party leave the restaurant and thought we would finally be seated. Instead, the workers separated the tables and seated two parties of four. When we asked why we weren't seated, we got blank stares. We left.

    (1)

  • Dawn D.

    I thought this was a bar but on a weekday afternoon in July it looks more like a Chuckie Cheese or a daycare center. More children than adults in this bar. The service was good, especially considering how hard it is to wait on tables where there's at least 4 kids and 2 high chairs per party. The food came out fast and was also good, although my wrap had almost no chicken in it the ingredients I could taste were delicious. My husband really liked his sandwich. If I had 9 kids and 6 diapers bags with me, I would probably give it 5 stars.

    (3)

  • Bob Z.

    We stopped here in the way back from Saugatuck. We ate on their rooftop. The food was very good. Service was good but not great. My friend had the Mahi tacos. They were awesome. Huge chunks of fish served with decent (not great) guacamole. I had their Diablo Burger. It was cooked perfect and had great flavor. Their bloody marys are really good too.

    (4)

  • Joe P.

    Stopped in with while driving back to Milwaukee. Great set up. Would love to come back in the summer and enjoy the roof top patio. Would have given 4+ stars but always frustrated when ordering tuna and it comes out over cooked even when the server says its just seared. Insider tip, if the tuna is no longer red/pink its over cooked. They were still good I had the wasabi aoli added and it hit the spot. I'll be back

    (3)

  • Chris O.

    I went there for lunch with a few friends after a long night at the casino. We had a blast. The food was all excellent. For an appetizer we had the pot stickers and I ordered a stray dog. I have to say for a non Asian joint the pot stickers were tasty like they were from a good Asian joint and the hot dog was excellent as well. My favorite part was the fries, they were seasoned to perfection. My friends had the special which was a mozzarella burger and I had a pizza for our main courses. Both were delicious. The burgers were cooked to perfection and juicy. The pizza was also just right with little grease and also done perfectly. Their selection of beer was very good as well and their local brews were spot on with the burgers. If you have time, stop by the merchandise shop across the street, they have some fun paraphernalia with their cool logo. This is a must stop place if you're visiting New Buffalo.

    (5)

  • Renita M.

    A great beachy bar-grill-type place. I saw some comparisons to Popeye's in Lake Geneva, but this seems much more chill and the food was definitely better. The decor is cool, with lots of doggie pictures around. Casual, comfortable, lots of light. The tap list is pretty good, with a fair amount of local stuff, which I always appreciate. The cocktails looked like fun too, but I didn't indulge this time. We started with queso fundido - hard to go wrong with cheese and chorizo. My husband had a bacon-wrapped, cheese-stuffed hot dog topped with sauteed onions. It smelled delicious. I went for fish tacos, and they were very tasty. Yeah, it's a little touristy, this is a touristy town. But it seems like a cool place with good, fresh food and tasty beverages, and I would definitely return.

    (4)

  • Gabriel W.

    Looks to be a staple go-to in the town and we found out why it came highly recommended. Buffalo Blue Cheese Chicken sliders are amazing! I'm craving more as I write this review! I like their beach shabby chic style and the roof top deck looks nice too. Beer selection is full of IPA's so right up my alley. Good place to have a chill dinner date.

    (5)

  • William B.

    Apparently I reviewed this place almost exactly five years ago and declared it "nothing fancy, but the best thing nearby." I doubt it's gotten better in the past five years, but my standards have broadened. Everything I said before is true, but I think I didn't realize at the time how precious a place like this is -- the food is not complicated but very tasty, the service is efficient, and the french fries are still very good. Oh, and they have a good beer list too. I'll promote it to "the go-to place for those in the area."

    (4)

  • Marianne D.

    This review is coming a little late as I enjoyed dining for the 2nd time at this restaurant in May. Stray Dog is a busy and popular place. The restaurant has plenty of seating, both on the ground floor and on an upper outdoor deck with a bar area. I like sitting upstairs to get the breeze and bird's eye view of the water and activity below. Their menu is varied and drink selection large. This time I had an ahi tuna sandwich, which I really enjoyed. It was cooked rare just like I like tuna and served with avocado and a wasabi aioli. So good! I had a really good alcoholic lemonade drink that was so refreshing on a hot day. There is a store of Stray Dog items across the road, which I find expensive for what is offered. We definitely will be back to Stray Dog when we travel to South Haven for a get-away. I recommend Stray Dog for good food and drink.

    (4)

  • Thomas C.

    Rating is only for the bars an emergency came up keeping wife and me from dining as we had planned. With all of the people you see walking around with stray dog hats it must be good food though. Bar area was very nice, large...world cup was on and the place was a buzz to watch the Americans get eliminated unfortunately.

    (3)

  • David H.

    Zero complaints. Great food, great service, great atmosphere, great drinks, so many options. Ate there 3 times in 3 days (one was liquid lunch).

    (5)

  • Grennan K.

    Love the roof top bar! Buffalo wrap was very appetizing. Staff highly recommends the pizzas (not chicago style.) The wait here was 2 hours long during the boat festival but we managed to snag bar seats on the roof to catch the sunset.

    (4)

  • Laurent V.

    The only redeeming quality of this place is the rooftop deck and patio, and the only reason I come back. The food is pretty bad, and the cocktails are disappointing. Draft list is decent, but overpriced. The server was pretty obvious at rushing us out since it gets packed on nice days, which was rude. If you want to sit outside, drink good beer and eat good food, go to greenbush brewery.

    (2)

  • Mike G.

    This place was awesome. Great view, great food and great service. I am not going to talk about the food or beer, just know you will not be disappointed. What I am going to talk about is the service. We took our 5 month old son with us around 5pm on a Wednesday. We were sat instantly and waited on. The crowd was minimal as it was Wednesday but the staff was on top of their game as if it were packed full. Multiple servers/workers spoke to us and our son and made us feel at home. Lauren B was out server and she was amazing. She brought our son some toys (ie. cup, straw, etc) to play with as we enjoyed our dinners. She even held him and played with him. We WILL go back, no questions asked and will hopefully find Lauren B to serve us again. FYI, beer selection is great for local beers on draft.

    (5)

  • Scott M.

    Meh, I don't agree on the fish taco hype. They were decent at best - and for $14, I expect more than that. Maybe people love the regular crispy fish ones and not the grilled mahi mahi version? I would not recommend ordering them, not at all. On the other hand, yes, I would recommend the hummus appetizer. Hummus was 4 star good and quite plentiful, included lots of things for dipping. Service was friendly and fairly attentive, showed genuine concern for allergies when we asked about ingredients. Toddler factor: Ample room for a high chair and there were MANY little folks in there at noon on Saturday. Nice kids menu. Our boy loved the hot dog and the fruit. Lots to look at, both inside the restaurant and out the windows.

    (3)

  • Erick W.

    Great food, great atmosphere and great service too! My friends and I, visiting the Midwest from the West Coast saw the billboard on the highway and decided to give it a chance. We were not disappointed and will definitely recommend it.

    (4)

  • Crazy G.

    A must stop when here. Every time we come they are packed. Super friendly. Clean. Fast. Delicious. You have a lot to choose from. Good portions for cost. Yum.

    (5)

  • Jenn B.

    Visited mid afternoon on a Saturday and had less than a 15 minute wait. Very nice they text you to let you know when your table is available. Had a bbq burger and fries that were very good. Service was great and friendly from both hostesses and waitstaff.

    (5)

  • Carrie F.

    Great job Stray Dog! Remodel is beautiful and food is delicious! Margaritas went down well and fish Tacos were the best we have had in a long time!

    (5)

  • Dawn D.

    I'm not quite sure why this place got good reviews service was horrible the food is not that good I got a Oriental chicken salad I was looking for the chicken it was shredded I would not go back there again

    (1)

  • Rebecca C.

    Great cocktails!! The Pizza Green is amazing. If ever in town again, will definitely re-visit!

    (4)

  • Charyl M.

    Sit upstairs on the rooftop deck, order anything from the menu - it's all delicious - and watch a majestic Lake Michigan sunset. Great looking restaurant, terrific staff, and good food.

    (5)

  • Steve W.

    Best Burgers in the Area!! Went there for lunch and I had the Blue Harbor - blue cheese and bacon. It was amazing. Full of flavor and cooked perfectly. Fantastic service and great brews too! A little spendy, but what do you expect in a lake town in the summer time. My wife and I loved it and will be back for sure!

    (5)

  • Andrew K.

    Great fun year around for local and visitors. Long waits during the season. Tacos are winners in any flavor.

    (5)

  • Stef M.

    I think I went here on a day where the restaurant was not operating as well as it usually does. My 45 min estimated wait became 1 hr and 15 min. There were many empty tables around me that were not sat with guests for most of my meal. I think on this Saturday they were short staffed. Our food took a long time to come out and when it arrived most of our food was served slightly too cool and not enough hot. It was not worth a total of 3 hours spent to get for sandwiches/burgers served at the wrong temperature

    (3)

  • Allie T.

    I have been here over 10 times and every time I have amazing service, food and drinks. My all time favorite is their buffalo chicken wrap and their mojitos. My boyfriend and I have also loved their chili, burgers, pizza, fish tacos (which are huge) jalapeño poppers and fab buffalo wings. It's now a staple stop on my trip home from Chicago to Michigan.

    (5)

  • Tracy L.

    the food is delicious and the atmosphere is beach friendly fun, but the stray dog does not know how to manage their crowds and offers unrealistic time expectations. At peak hours this is a miserable place to bring a family! a good place to come for a late night drink during the week in the summer, but leave a family visit for off season.

    (3)

  • Deej N.

    Great atmosphere. Good food. My husband had the chili dog and I had the fried cod sandwich. I think our waitress may have been fairly new. She wasn't really able to answer the couple of questions we had about food items. Chili dog barely had any chili. We asked for a tiny ramekin of extra chili and she came back saying it would be an additional $2.00, in which I questioned that charge for basically a sample bite size of chili. The manager came out with a half cup of chili and said it would be no charge. The chili is delicious! Wouldn't mind having a bowl of it as a meal. Tasted almost like my homemade chili. There was stickiness on my chair when I went to sit down and that always grosses me out. And the salsa was super bland, not spicy at all, and the chips mediocre. Thus, minus one star. Would definitely go back. Oh, and definitely go to the ice cream shop next door. Super yummy for dessert!!!!!

    (4)

  • Deb W.

    Beautiful rooftop bar. Great food. Nice beer menu. Loved the veggie tacos. DH said the grouper sandwich was very good.

    (4)

  • Tricia W.

    Our food was mediocre. We ordered the southwest egg rolls as an appetizer the raspberry sauce was like a jam and didn't compliment the egg rolls in any way. The very small app (2 small egg rolls cut in half) were hard. They looked/tasted as if they'd been thrown back into the fryer after being cut. We took one bite and decided to try the queso fundido. It was ok. I ordered the fish tacos as my entree. They were pretty good, although they didn't come with anything. It was an up charge of $3 for guacamole and $1 for salsa. The tacos needed the extra flavor, so I'm glad I ordered them. My friend ordered the blackened chicken pita, which he also described as mediocre. The service was on point though! I wish I remembered her name, because she was great! The manager was friendly and checked on us mid-meal. Kudos for service! The prices are definitely high for the quality of food.

    (3)

  • Kathryn T.

    My favorite place on the planet ! Get the siracha chicken sliders and hang around for the rooftop. Great service, friendly people and an awesome menu !!!!!!!!

    (5)

  • Suze A.

    My husband and I were looking for a good place for dinner, and decided to give Stray Dog a shot. Holy crap, guys, SO GOOD. I ordered the ahi sandwich, and husband ordered a burger. I demolished my sandwich is about five seconds, followed by eating all the fries. I was so full, but was considering ordering MORE FOOD because it was just that good. The whole place smelled amazing, the food was delicious and it was a great place for a low-key dinner with my husband. We'll totally be back.

    (5)

  • Julie O.

    Great place. Really good atmosphere, friendly servers, easy menu. The Stray Dog aims to please. Too hot for the rooftop deck. The dining room was nice. Not at all pretentious. I had a Hawaiian burger with pineapple.Good stuff. Burgers come with fries. Husband had fish tacos. Good stuff. Large beer and drink menu. Beer was reasonably priced. Ladies room was very clean. Lots of pictures of dogs in the ladies loo.

    (4)

  • JJ N.

    This is a very cool place from the inside and will want to see the view from the rooftop before we leave. Had the wings for an app, both buffalo and the Asian and are very tasty. Waiting for the main course but anticipating some very good eats. On, ahi tuna tacos are very good! Added guac and salsa and even better. Table had cod, diablo burger and chicken tacos. All rated very highly by all. Great food, great atmosphere and great company. Would've liked to know what it was like in the before burned establishment. Going to check out the gear shop next. Would recommend anyone to stop and try.

    (4)

  • Pete D.

    We were heading back to Illinois after a camping trip in Michigan. Kids (7 & 5) were getting restless and we decided to stop for a bite to eat. Tried to swing into a different place but there was no parking and it appeared to have a long line. Remembered seeing a sign for the Stray Dog, so we decided to give try. Found some off street parking about 3 blocks away in which we were able to park (we were pulling a camper). Upon arrival we were told that it would be a 45 minute wait. The kids were into the vibe of the place so they asked that we stay. They do allow you to give your phone number at check in and they will send you a text when your table it ready. After about 20 minutes, we were seated and greeted promptly by our waiter. Our waiter was awesome. He was very attentive and on top of everything for us. My wife and I shared the Diablo Burger and the Fish Tacos. Both were excellent. The kids chomped their food as well. We were disappointed that we were not able to sit on the rooftop seating area (21 and over only due to insurance reasons). All in all, we thought that this was a great place and we all stated that we would come back if we were ever in the area again.

    (5)

  • Alyson W.

    Such a fun place to hang out with friends. Definitely would like to visit again when in town

    (5)

  • Vinny G.

    We visited Stray Dog during a cross country trip and were happy we did. New Buffalo is a very nice lake town and this restaurant rooftop offers attractive views, friendly service and good food. Our Mahi tacos were fresh, filling and very tasty with a great salsa. Prices were inexpensive for the food and experience. It's a great place for a good meal or just to relax with a drink or desert and coffee.

    (4)

  • Jessica P.

    The location is gorgeous and wasn't very busy at all. Our server was very attentive and friendly, the food was good just not what I expected. Prices are very reasonable considering the area its in. I would recommend the spinach artichoke dip, was cheesy and so delicious!

    (4)

  • Danielle S.

    This place looks beautiful. I like all the windows that let in natural sunlight and set the mood of this place. The view is decent and it seems to be busy since its a Saturday night. The Bloody Mary was good and had a different touch on the garnishes than I'm used to but was very good with flavor. Ordered the turkey burger on the el Diablo. It was absolutely amazing! The burger was flavorful and a good size. Would go back if I was in the area! Great food and decent service. It ended up getting a little bit busy towards the end of my visit, which was understandable. I enjoyed my experience here!

    (5)

  • Li C.

    The Rooftop bar and dinner service is amazing because of the view and the atmosphere. 5 stars to the rooftop. I subtract a star because the hostess here dont communicate well. I wish mgmt would tell guests that there need not be a long wait if people just go upstairs. The quoted wait times are not very accurate either. Seating aside, the food is very good and the service is pretty good.

    (4)

  • Tori T.

    A must when visiting New Buffalo. Located across the street from the harbor and just a block away from the beach, the reclaimed wood, stone fireplace, and lighted twigs come together to create a semi-rustic feel with the perfect amount of beach. During the summer months, you'll find this place packed (mostly with Chicagoans trying to escape the city for a weekend). The rooftop deck is gorgeous and well worth the additional wait when the weather permits. I must say I was surprised at the wait today. On a cold day in November, I figured the Stray Dog crowd would have started to dwindle already. We have been several times in the winter and the quiet, more local oriented atmosphere is very nice, but much different than in the summer months. Today, however, the place was packed! You'd think it was 4th of July weekend. I can honestly say I've never had a disappointing meal at Stray Dog. Today, we started with the potstickers and they were delicious. The perfect combination of soft and crispy was just intensified by the ginger and sesame soy sauce. I must say one thing though, I cannot vouch for the meat. As a non pork eater, I actually eat around the inside of the potstickers-but they're amazing nonetheless! Plus my boyfriend loves them all around. I ordered the veggie tacos (always a favorite). Anything with avocado has my name on it and they do a stellar job with their veggie tacos. The boyfriend got the Stray Dog (another one of his favorites), which is a deep fried, cheese stuffed, bacon wrapped Vienna beef dog served alongside a platter of fries. Our meal couldn't have been any better. We left feeling satisfied and happy (and very full..). With the staff donning "Sit, Stay" t-shirts and jeans, along with the laid back atmosphere, this place has an air of familiarity to it, even to those who haven't been before. We always make time to visit the Stray Dog while in New Buffalo whether it's for a late lunch, dinner, or just a drink. I definitely recommend it and will certainly be back on my next trip up- might even stop in later tonight for a quick drink.

    (5)

  • Ryan R.

    I was here before the fire and the food and service were so so. Well this is the first trip back since and the food and service were much better, although it is still pricey bar food. The chili is very good and the choices for micro brew were outstanding. Definitely a place to take the kids, especially if you need to be in and out in 45 minutes. The inside decor is much nicer than previous and the back room is no longer cold.

    (4)

  • Ike T.

    Great place to enjoy a nice summer day drinking a beer, eating a good meal, and sitting on the roof top. This place would be perfect if it was a little closer to the lake, but the view is not bad as is. Burgers and beers are no brainers. Service is great. I usually get the potstickers and the fish tacos. This time, tried the Chicago dogs and they were pretty good.

    (4)

  • Nicole B.

    This place was so easy to give 5 stars to. This was our first visit. We had a party of 6 and the place was crazy crowded, so our wait was to be 1 1/2 hours. We agreed and went across the street to their small gift shop where we couldn't help but to purchase some cool clothing items. Then we walked over to the boat dock and sat near the lake. It was gorgeous. It was less than an hour when they called us back. Once we got in we were sat in an area with plenty of room even though the place was packed. Our waitress was excellent. The volume is loud, but you have to expect that. We ordered off the main menu & the kid's menu. Spinach & artichoke dip with chips, salad, reuben, turkey club, hot dogs, cheeseburger, hamburger, chicken strips, fries, and drinks. The portions were huge (we took stray doggie bags home) and the food was delicious. Even though they were so busy, the staff were all friendly and the food was still good. My entire party was pleased. We will definitely be back!

    (5)

  • Pamela W.

    Great food and ambiance! The rooftop dining was perfect for the weather in the spring! You could hear the lake from where we were! Ordered the cucumber cocktail and it was spot on! We hAd the bacon wrapped hot dog!! Perfect as well!

    (5)

  • Ed R.

    Seen shirts for this place for years (brilliant marketing, I must say) and have always meant to try it. Finally after living in the area for a decade decided to swing over there while we were at the lighthouse mall. Was not disappointed. Totally worth the 10 to 15 minute drive from whatever you're doing in Michigan City. There are NOT MANY decent places to eat in Michigan City, and this is a great little detour. They have their own parking lot, which is totally awesome, and the location is great. It's easy to spend at least 20 bucks a person, but I say it's worth it!

    (4)

  • Ryan G.

    restaurant is right by the beach and the restaurant has a beach feel and theme. Great friendly service and our waitress was quick to get us everything we need. Food was good and fresh but it's nothing special. If you like beer they have about 8 crafted beers on tap.they also have a very nice upstairs for the adults only (bar). I would say if your in town and going to the beach or just in the area give this place a try.

    (3)

  • Anna P.

    I really loved this restaurant, though the name is not what you might associate good food with right away. My burger and cocktail were excellent. The decor was perfect as was the service. I have been to New Buffalo a few times (coming from Chicago) and have never really tried this place until this trip only because the name deterred me. It just goes to show never judge a book by its cover, or name as it were because I would highly recommend anyone go! It is so worthwhile. I am a tad disappointed that the upstairs outdoor rooftop deck is only for those 21 and over, however my family (2 young kids) were quite happy inside on the main floor.

    (5)

  • Rachael Z.

    What an amazing place! They have overcome so much, and I cannot WAIT to come back and visit now that Stray Dog is rebuilt! BEER - Selection is good and well-priced. Try some local varieties while you're here! FOOD - I've tried a few different things and haven't been disappointed. Even the salads were good! This IS still a bar, so it has a "bar-food" vibe to it, but it's delicious. SERVICE - Every time I've been here it's been slightly relaxed, but it may be because I've never been in a hurry.

    (5)

  • Julie T.

    My husband and I had our first date at The Stray Dog before it burned and today friends of ours took us back for the first time since then. It is as wonderful and more than it ever was. The drinks were amazing, the food was great, and the service is wonderful. I'm blown away at how it's the same as it was but way better! What a great experience!

    (4)

  • Kasia K.

    Had dinner here while on a business trip. Rooftop deck has a gorgeous view of the sunset. I had the Amber Ale "fat tire" and started with the artichoke spinach dip which was very yummy. Nice and hot with various veggies added in and the chips were great too. For dinner I had the tilapia fish tacos, coming from the Long Island fishing east coast the tilapia wasn't the greatest I've had but they were pretty good. I think having cabbage instead of lettuce would make them better. Side of guacomole was good too. You know it's a good restaurant when they make good guac. Atmosphere here is great and it's very lively and jovial. Service was on par. I would definitely come back to try more.

    (4)

  • Ellen K.

    Great fish taco and grouper sandwich for lunch. Sit on the rooftop deck for a great view.

    (5)

  • Drew S.

    My wife and I loved this place! So many summer nights on the rooftop patio with live music, good beer, and good apps. We were extremely saddened to loose our hangout due to the fire. So when we heard they were rebuilding, we watched and waited and marked opening night on the calendar. We've since, been back three times, all three times, we've been left with the same feelings. Amazing service, especially given the volume they're pushing through every night. The ambiance, not quite the same, we miss the old one. There was something to it not being brand spanking new, creaky wooden steps going up to the rooftop, a lot of other little things. It felt homely in a way. Now it's too fresh, too new. It's lost some of that amazing character. The food... This is where something went horribly wrong! I don't know what happened to the kitchen staff after the fire, but the food has suffered dramatically! The sriracha chicken sliders, one of our favorite finger foods ever! Now, I won't order then because they're no where near what they used to be. I want to remember them in a good light, the guac was never amazing but something has gone wrong here again. My Reuben, not bad, but again, not what it once was. We miss the old Stray Dog! Hope something changes for the better. For now we will wait to try it again. But we will definitely give it time before we return.

    (3)

  • Mike R.

    Happy, upbeat, lively and fun. Second time here and always a good time. Great atmosphere, great drinks and food. Reasonably priced and well worth the wait. We were here two years ago during the fire. Yes during the fire! The staff were helpful and all were evacuated. Staff made sure all guests were safe. We return to great food and a great new stray dog. The place is bright, fun, loud and energizing. The food is reasonably priced. I had the BBQ chicken which was tender and fell off the bone. My wife had the guacamole BLT which was excellent. The drinks were fantastic. Try the frozen "blue wave" or the "lemon heaven" both were delicious and no skimping on the alcohol. A definite visit while in New Buffalo!

    (4)

  • Lucy W.

    Great food - we had the nachos and potstickers as appetizers (yum on both counts). For the main course we had steak salad, blackened chicken pita, pizza and a kids chicken strips. Everybody loved their food. The steak salad was a unique mix of flavors - walnuts, blue cheese, mushrooms & onions - that were great, I thought. The menu isn't expansive or fancy - this is basic bar & grill stuff, but they do it well. Our server was attentive, despite how busy it was, and always kept our drinks filled. The atmosphere is clean and fun. My husband ventured upstairs to check out the Rooftop area and says we need to go back sans kids sometime. He was especially impressed that they have heat lamps up there so that even with the breeze coming off the lake you can keep warm. The view, of course, is great. The only big downside to this place is that the wait can be ridiculously long - an hour on a week-night in the summer, easily. So come early, put in your name and then do a little shopping or take a walk. It's in a great area down by the water so it's a pleasant enough place to hang out, and they text you when your table is ready, so you can wander quite a distance.

    (4)

  • Amanda B.

    I used to work here years ago, so I know first hand how the managers really train their staff on how to give great service and it really shows! The server will consistently check on you/your table and make sure you are having a great dining experience and you will never have an empty glass or dirty plate on your table. The rooftop and live bands make for an lively experience in the summer! Great service, fun atmosphere, and best food around with a great menu selection!

    (5)

  • Mel Q.

    Fish tacos are a must! The Ahi tuna tacos are ok, but a little too salty. No reservations, and the wait time was 1hr45, but we were seated sooner. This was Memorial Day weekend and the Blackhawks were playing, so the place was a hot-spot. Definitely recommend this place it's clean, comfortable, fun, and the food was good.

    (4)

  • Sandra C.

    A bit disappointed in my mahi mahi fish tacos. Not authentic and very bland, not much of a punch with flavors. Very basic for $15 bucks not worth it for me, didn't hit the spot. However service was good atmosphere was beautiful and the rest of the 5 pp with me were very happy with there food!

    (4)

  • Mel F.

    Everything about this place was fabulous... from the atmosphere to the menu and the service. Its located in a really pretty area, just off the beach. They have pictures of dogs posted everywhere, its really cutesy. The rooftop bar is probably really nice, but it was too foggy/chilly/rainy when we were in town to experience it. Bummer. I loved the kale salad and my husband loved the fish tacos! I thought the "gear" was really cute, but I could not bring myself to pay $30 for a t-shirt. We loved this place so much for dinner we came back for lunch!

    (5)

  • Karen G.

    Stopped on a weekday night for a few drinks. Very friendly bar tenders, nice selection of midwest beer and others- lke Left Hand Milk Stout. The bar tender gave us a free taste fof a few of the selections. About half a highball glass full. The bar area was spacious and pleasant. I would stop in again for a drink.

    (3)

  • Katie S.

    Best cheeseburger around! Their salsa is fresh and must try! Great atmosphere, bar and rooftop is fun in summertime. Cobb salad is also tasty!

    (5)

  • Timothy H.

    Little on the pricey side for what it is.

    (3)

  • Joseph B.

    The fish tacos definitely lived up to the hype. Guac, was just as good. Great service, excellent food. Just be sure to check the price on drafts before ordering too many ;)

    (5)

  • Nancy B.

    Very welcoming atmosphere. Nicely decorated. Women's bathroom was very clean that really says a lot to me!! I had the Mahi Mahi fish tacos they weren't the best I have ever had but they were good. My husband had the bacon wrapped deep fried hotdog it was delicious! ! A great place to go to! We will be back!

    (4)

  • Bobblehead B.

    Really enjoy the laid back atmosphere and attentive staff. The place makes you feel welcome when you walk in the door. Food is perfect for the place. Not pricey and satisfying.

    (4)

  • Lynn M.

    My husband and I were here for a late lunch on a Sunday afternoon . The food was excellent as was the service. Football games were on but the noise level wasn't outrageous , you could still hold a conversation without screaming! I would highly recommend it and will return when in the area again !

    (5)

  • Amy H.

    The Stray Dog is a must stop for us when we are in New Buffalo - today was our first time since the fire and rebuild and it did not disappoint. The rooftop deck is definitely worth five stars. (Note - it's 21 and over so no kids, but the rest of the place is kid-friendly). It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon and the place we packed. We checked in at the hostess stand on the deck and was told it would be a 45 minute wait (with their new system, you provide your cell number and they text when your table is ready). We wandered over to the bar and quickly found seats in their new little seating area. We ordered drinks and next thing we knew our table was ready - about a 10 minute wait instead of the quoted 45. Our server Jeremy was great. The place was packed and he was running around like crazy. We opted just for drinks and appetizers. Our selections included the Queso Fundido and Siraccha Chicken Sliders. The queso was a bit of a surprise. We were expecting the traditional white queso cheese dip with chorizo served with tortilla chips based on the description, but it was a cast iron square dish of cheese melted over crumbled chorizo, topped with poblanos and served with four small corn tortillas. Definitely not your standard dip, but good nonetheless. The sliders were fried chicken tossed in a sirachha buffalo sauce with bleu cheese, bacon and frizzled onions. Spicy, but good! I think the food tends to be a little pricey for what you get (Queso was $8, sliders were $9 for 3, beers start at $4 and cocktails at $7). The atmosphere is worth it - great views and comfortable seating from the rooftop. Better than ever!

    (4)

  • Kaleen F.

    I absolutely loved the homemade jalapeno poppers, they are my favorite of all times. I had a Reuben sandwich, loved the sandwich but next time I will tell them to ease up on the buttered toast/grilled however they do it. The rooftop view is ok, but very romantic no matter how long you have been together.

    (4)

  • Kristin N.

    My boyfriend and I visited here while we were on a short weekend getaway and the atmosphere was great and the food was delicious. We will be back the next time we're in New Buffalo.

    (4)

  • Stephanie G.

    We had dinner here this week. We loved the decor and use of lighting. Super cute place. We had dinner on the roof deck, bring bug spray if it's nighttime! Boyfriend actually ran to store to get some for us Mosquitos were so bad. The food I would say was just average. Nothing to write home about. We would come back though next time we're in New Buffalo because we really enjoyed the food deck and ambiance. It's worth checking out for sure.

    (4)

  • Eric T.

    Been coming to Stray Dog for many years. Liked it before the fire, and just visited for the first time since the fire. Well, it is still GREAT! The menu is plentiful, the staff is friendly, and the ambiance is good. I gave 4/5 because of 2 reasons: 1) the decor is good, and kept close to the old Stray Dog, but I expected something more updated 2) prices are a bit high. Fish tacos for $14 is a bit much Otherwise all was great, especially the Pizza #3! Definitely recommend!

    (4)

  • Katrina D.

    Cute atmosphere, lots of staff, okay food. The place is geared towards families and is really big. Tons of kid friendly foods. The prices are good for what you're getting. I had the fish tacos which weren't very flavorful, so skip those. Definitely stop here if you have kids. The place is designed for you. If you're going out for a night on the town, the roof top deck is a nice getaway for the 21+ set.

    (3)

  • Allison B.

    This place was pretty good. I really enjoyed the rooftop bar/dining area and the cocktail I had was amazing! They also have a decent beer selection on tap as well. The food was a little expensive, but quite tasty. Our server was very nice and attentive. My only real complaint was my ahi tuna... Just like another reviewer stated, it wasn't seared but more grey and mine had so much wasabi on it that it killed much of the wonderful flavor of the tuna. If they would turn up the grill a bit when searing it would have made it look more appealing for sure. My husbands hamburger looked great and he left an empty plate. If we are back in the area I would definitely come back, even if just for drinks!

    (4)

  • Chelsea K.

    I want to love the Stray Dog. I love anything dog related, and when you mix in human food and beautiful scenery...it should be a no brainer. My first experience with the Stray Dog was ordering takeout during the great polar vortex. I stopped in to pick-up the food and fell in love with the decor and ambiance. My friend and I ordered a lot of food, and it wasn't cheap. Nothing was memorable enough for me to even know what we got anymore, except for a $12 kale salad that literally had maybe 7 pieces of kale in it. We thought the container they put it in was for condiments because it was SO SMALL. I wrote it off as not having the dine in experience and gave them a second chance recently when I was in the area (and we heard there was a new chef). I went back with a group of 5. We ordered the pull and peel shrimp as well as the buffalo shrimp as an app. Both were good and I liked how the buffalo shrimp, even though breaded, weren't too heavy. I ordered the mahi tacos for my meal and they were some of the worst fish tacos I've ever had. The tortilla tasted stale, the fish was incredibly dry (almost unedible), and all of the toppings were very generic/bland/tasted like they were out of a bag. My friend who got a fish sandwich was equally disappointed in everything from the bun to the fish. Others in my group did enjoy their meal. I want to love this place so badly, but I feel like my food was inexcusable and I don't like places where you have to "know what's good" to enjoy your meal. I would only give the Stray Dog another chance if it was to grab a drink (their Bloody Mary's look mighty fancy) and maybe munch on one appetizer.. Btw- I added one star for the awesome dog photos everywhere.

    (3)

  • Sohp F.

    Absolutely love this place! I'm a local and we come all summer long! They have a gorgeous roof top, kind service, and of course best of all, Awesome food! Definitely recommend it!

    (5)

  • Jim K.

    This place has it all. A cool "gear" store, a nice bar, an awesome rooftop bar, and killer food. We are often told that our wait will be an hour +, and as my daughter tells me "dad, it's totally worth it." so we wait. I recommend the fish tacos, steak salad, or the pizza. My daughter recommends the hot dog. Go figure wait in line for an hour for a hot dog. But it's worth it. Cool place in a hot city. Great place to unwind after a day of boating or beaching.

    (4)

  • Charis R.

    Great spot close to the beach! The hubby and I went here for lunch during our weekend getaway to New Buffalo. There were tons of good options on the menu, but after much deliberating I eventually chose the ahi tuna sandwich, which was delicious. Great quality tuna and yummy avocado, which they were quite generous with. The fries and cocktail that I had were great too (I forget the name of the drink, but it was bright blue and very tropical- a very beach-appropriate choice). We ate on the roof deck (which is 21+), and it was a great atmosphere. I wish we could have eaten here more than once! If we make it back to New Buffalo at some point in the future, this will be our first stop!

    (5)

  • JR W.

    Good location, raving apparel shop, decent food, cool upstairs bar. The upstairs bar and dining is nice to get away from the loud hustle and bustle of families rolling through new buff. Pretty basic food and drinks here, it's all about that location, location, location and beach vibes. Best place for drinks in new buff area!

    (4)

  • Dave K.

    Went once and will go back again for sure. This place has the big three covered, good food, nice ambiance, and good service. I went at noon as soon as they opened and things got hopping quick so recommend getting a reservation if they offer them.

    (4)

  • Pete S.

    Oh wow! We were just passing through & looked on YELP for a place to eat. Wife chose this one. What a great choice. I asked our waitress about a dark beer on draft. She suggested "Founders Dirty B@stard". It's a local beer. Wife took a sip and she had to order one. Really smooth an good. Wife had the Cobb salad. She really liked it. I had the grouper sandwich. It was amazing. The service was great. The store was clean. We will return when in the area.

    (4)

  • Valerie R.

    Meh... Frozen burger patties :/ Tons of tomato and lettuce on the fish tacos. The chicken sliders are good. The staff was super friendly. Cool rooftop.

    (3)

  • John C.

    We were there last night. It was very busy, so we had a little wait. Just an excuse to enjoy an adult beverage. The wait staff was very friendly and attentive. We had a meal of appetizers that were very well prepared and arrived about the time we finished our first round. We sat upstairs on the deck. It was really nice. When the sun went down, the staff fired up the heaters, and took the chill off. All in all a great night, made even better by good food, good beer and good service. We will be back.

    (4)

  • Kinnari A.

    Good pub food, full bar, and outdoor seating. Perfect place to eat in a beach town. My turkey burger and fries were awesome :)

    (4)

  • S S.

    The rooftop bar is the reason to go to this place. It is the only rooftop bar in the area. The food is very good. During the summer on the weekends, it is very difficult to get a table downstairs. If you are over 21, go straight to the rooftop bar. Don't waste your time downstairs.

    (4)

  • Mark B.

    WOW - Best service in New Buffalo ! Great food , cold drinks and friendly service ! Try to sit on the roof and watch the sun set! Great job guys

    (5)

  • Phil N.

    What a great place! First time there and now plan to go back again even though it's about a 1 hour drive from home.

    (5)

  • Jennifer N.

    Good food and atmosphere. Food was a little slow, but tasty so it was worth the wait. Nice choice of drinks and food. The seafood selections are pretty good too!

    (4)

  • Nick K.

    SInce the remodel aka the building burned down the restaurant looks fantastic!! Plus the rooftop bar dining area gives you a great view of the lake and the occasional boat passing by. Decent food nothing to write home about. Have had quite a few different items and all though im never disappointed im never taken aback. Still great option for food after a day at the beach.

    (3)

  • Amanda F.

    I soley go here for the handmade jalapeno poppers. They are so amazing, however the rest of the food isn't worth what you pay for. BUT, if you go for lunch, they have some good lunch specials at a great price. I get it, they capitalize on the location and the tourism there, but for someone more local to the area I feel there are better options.

    (3)

  • M S.

    first - the renovations make the space incredibly open and enjoyable - no matter how crowded it gets! Burgers are always a winner at Stray Dog - but must try some of the new items -- chopped kale salad, shrimp summer rolls, grilled grouper sandwich, blackened chicken pita and seared ahi salad are all amazingly fresh and delicious. Try the tacos too!!

    (5)

  • Mojgan A.

    The location is great, but food and service is something to be desired. They charge $6 for chips and salsa, then they give you small cup of salsa. Then they charge you another $1 to give you a little more. Service was not very good either. Good iced tea

    (2)

  • Leanne A.

    We used Yelp on a recent spontaneous trip through New Buffalo on our way back home, and better yet, on my birthday. The Yelp reviews looked good enough for a visit and I'm glad we decided to stop. The location is fabulous (although parking can be difficult). It is on a quaint street very (very) new the beach (which we stopped by after eating). The restaurant is decorated nicely and had one of the cleanest bathrooms I have ever seen in a restaurant with played options starting below $25/plate. The dining area we sat in was LOUD! Terribly hard to carry a conversation but it was OK with a because we were dining with my 5 and 2 year old, so we can appreciate (and tolerate) noise. If we were on a date night I would have been annoyed. The views are pretty though I'm sure much better on the roof (only accessible for the 21+ crowd). The food was GReAT! I am a humus fanatic and their appetizer featuring it was great, and more than enough for 4 to share. The Reuben was large and delicious, my mom and husband enjoyed their dogs and the kids thought the quesadillas were better than at the Mexican joint near our house. How to make it a five star review?? 1. Chill with the sass if you're a server. Ours was either having a bad day or truly hated her job, either way it was really uncomfortable for us. That shouldn't stop you from visiting though!!!

    (4)

  • Dan G.

    Bow wow. The Stray Dog is due it's update and upgrade. Thankfully they are now smoke free. That was really my biggest complaint here. Well, that problem has been solved. The top deck patio is the place to be on a nice night. You get a great view of the marina and the lake. Along with the patio at Bentwood, it's probably my favorite setting in the area. We've only been here for lunch so I can't speak of the nightime vibe, though I'm pretty sure it's one of the better places to be. I usually end up getting a burger (I like the blue cheese bacon one) or some bbq, my wife always has a salad or pizza and is always happy with them. What makes Stray Dog one of our favorite places around is that they have a kickass beer list. You'll find all of the local stars from Michigan breweries here. Bell's two hearted and Oberon, Founders Dirty Bastard, and occasionally some Round Barns. It's a great place for a pint, or 14 ouncer on the deck.

    (4)

  • Clayton D.

    Our first night in Michigan and we all were starving after a long drive. So, in taking a quick look what was neat the house, we all settled on The Stray Dog. There was about a 30 minute wait when we arrived but we took the girls to look at the Marina so the time flew bye. Once our party of ten was seated, the service was great! Not to mention they had a great selection of beers on tap including Dogfish that we just can't get in St. Louis which is a joke. I went with a Cheesesteak which was really good as it had a lot of peppers, onions and mushrooms. My wife went with the Southwest chicken salad which she liked but she thought it was a bit too spicy. The girls had the normal kid fare of corndogs and chomped them down. It was a nice, easy spot for dinner especially after a long drive.

    (4)

  • Ana A.

    Let's start with the good, shall we? I had a superbly made Dark and Stormy at the Stray Dog. However, I waited about 25 minutes and four visits from our singularly vapid server before I received my drink. She apparently didn't notice that I had joined my three friends at the table the first two times she dropped by to throw their drinks at them before running away. When she finally did grace me with her presence long enough to get my drink order, she ran away again before I could ask for food. Hungry and at this point pretty annoyed, I decided to down my drink and depart to find food elsewhere. But surprise, surprise... our server was again M.I.A. After a brief search I found the girl flirting for tips (obviously... hopefully) with a table of gross, middle aged, mid-life-crisis-convertable-driving type men. She actually rolled her eyes at me when I asked for my check! The Stray Dog's in luck, though, because customer service like this is standard in New Buffalo... a town apparently run by jaded college drop-outs.

    (2)

  • Katherine T.

    A friendly, fun place to go to for lunch or dinner! I always make a point to go there at least once when I'm in town and it never disappoints. Their drinks are delicious and I've never had a bad meal there. Although it usually gets busy so if you plan to go there, call ahead and check the waiting time.

    (5)

  • Shaun H.

    First off I live in town, so this place is not a weekend hot spot or "quant small town gem" to me. Its a restaurant.... Today was the first time returning since the fire and rebuild. Decor is a little different, nothing big has changed. menu is still the same no huge changes there. Food and service are much to be desired thou. Pre made, out of a can tasting food. The wait staff must be decedents from royalty. " I hate to bother you miss " as she turns and walks away. Suck it up now during the summer Stray Dog, milk those out of towners. Because when cold hits and the FIPs stop coming, all you'll have is the people who live here... And you have nothing we want!

    (1)

  • Devon W.

    This place was nice! Just off the water in New Buffalo. The perfect setting for my friends and I had a great time drinking and eating all their food. The best part about it was the ambiance/view. The food was ok, nothing special, but good quality and tasty. I ordered a cheeseburger and it was juicy and delicious. The fries were pretty good too. Drinks - Strong, made quickly, moderately priced. The restaurant itself seemed clean, well-organized, and ran like a well-oiled machine. I would definitely recommend it to people visiting New Buffalo who are looking for dinner/drinks in a fun, upbeat atmosphere. Downside (totally not their fault) - Mosquitos...

    (4)

  • Brien A.

    Couldn't wait to get back up to New Buffalo and check out the new and improved Stray Dog. Holy cow! The place is absolutely beautiful! They did a fantastic job on the rebuild. Since we had the kids with we didn't dine on the roof top but we did go up for a look see. It is equally beautiful. We will leave the kids behind next time. Ok so the place looks killer how about the food? Well everything we had was seriously good! Let me see if I can remember it all. Fish tacos, buffalo chicken wraps, pizza, burgers, pork sliders and the buffalo fries. We all shared bites and all agreed everything was great. So great we went twice in two days. The beer selection is great. Next time back I plan on parking my butt at the awesome new bar and trying some more beers. The staff was just great. Everyone seemed to be having fun and enjoying their jobs. And when I say everyone I mean they have a buttload of employees and they were all very pleasant and just having a good time. Like others said the wait can be a bit long but it's so nice and the food is so good it's well worth it. Can't wait to go back! Thanks Stray Dog for rebuilding better than ever!

    (5)

  • Jordan U.

    They should have burned the place to the ground a long time ago because "The Dog" has come back better than ever! Caveat: If you are visiting the Stray Dog on a weekend in the summer be prepared to wait. There are plenty of other great places to dine in Harbor Country but given the location and reputation of The Stray Dog it gets incredibly crowded and parking right down by the lake is difficult. That being said, the place is really great. Since two of our three were at camp we only had our little guy and four adults. We were seated relatively quickly for The Dog and service was friendly and prompt. Food seems to be a bit improved with the new rebuilt surroundings. I'm not sure if the menu was actually expanded or what but I felt like they had a wider selection than they did before the fire. I had a blackened chicken pita that was cooked perfectly and others at the table had salads and sandwiches. Everything was great and there were clean plates all around. Even the kids meal (corndogs for the little guy) were well done. All in all, we would have gone back before but now with the fresh new digs you have to visit The Stray Dog.

    (4)

  • Ted M.

    I came to the Stray Dog looking for two things: delicious food and a fun outdoor bar. Upon leaving, I'd say I was batting .500. I ordered the El Diablo burger and was expecting a spicy, flavorful burger. Unfortunately, I ended up with a Sam's Club quality burger patty that had some mundane sauce and a few jalpenos sprinkled in. The burger was especially disappointing in light of the fact that I had just been to Redamak's (5 Stars) a few days earlier. However, the atmosphere of the restaurant saved the experience for me. I was up on the rooftop bar on a sunny day that was mid 70's. There are tiki lights strung up around the tables and music paying in the background. It is a very fun place to sit and have a couple of drinks. In closing, the Bar part of the Stray Dog was 5 stars and the Grill was 1.

    (3)

  • Anna P.

    A little slice of paradise, especially if it's sunny and warm and the patio is open. My boyfriend and I were on our way up the Lake Michigan coast and pulled off the highway after seeing a billboard for this place. We'd never been to the area before and were a little nervous, but as soon as we arrived our worries were put to rest! The patio is awesome. It has a great view, and feels absolutely wonderful on a sunny day. They have a good selection of drinks and food - I got a greek salad with chicken and my bf got the coney dog special - both were tasty. It was a simple meal made much better by the sunny day...and possibly the wine...

    (3)

  • Heather B.

    I've been to Stray Dog several times since the re-opening and find the food to be consistent, the bar service to be great and the table service to loom in the area of average to fair. The rooftop area is a bonus, I only wish they kept it more open and had standing height bar tables instead of taking up so much space with small seated tables. You don't get much of a bar feel up there and I feel like they really wasted such a great opportunity to maximize the summer crowds. We've been there when it's a 1+ hour wait and off-season when it's easy to get a table/spot at the bar. The specialty drinks (I like the Moscow Mule, Dark and Stormy, Cucumber Martini) are tasty, but a bit pricey ($8-12). This isn't Chicago and I hate that they take advantage of the fact there really are no other options. Good beer selection and they don't ever complain about giving you a sample to try something new. The fish tacos are tasty, the Asian wings have a sweet but savory kick to them, the pizzas are flavorful and burgers always taste fresh chargrilled. I find the food prices to be ok for what you get. They also have multiple tvs so it's nice on the weekends when you're looking for more than just one football game! Is Stray Dog something I rant and rave about and walk around town all day wearing a t-shirt advertising for them? Definitely not. But it is a place as a year-rounder I can count on for a decent, albeit overly priced meal and some drinks, so I will come back.

    (4)

  • Ed M.

    Went there on a cold Friday in November. Had a very, very good meal. Enjoyed the Mexican pizza and the Ahi Tuna salad, The Sunset Shrimp was inventive and plentiful. The new decor is bright and fun. Well worth the trip if you are in SW Michigan. The service was spot on. Great selection of local craft brews.

    (5)

  • Karen M.

    The Stray Dog is a must for us whenever we're in New Buffalo. It's located right on the marina, with a great view; a nice rooftop deck; a friendly, fun atmosphere; live music; and some good beers. This place is actually more of a bar than a dining establishment, although the food is pretty decent pub grub and reasonably priced, too. During the day, there can be lots of families with kids, while evenings are more for adults. They also sell Stray Dog memorabilia like T-shirts and caps. I don't usually get sucked into the whole souvenir thing, but I did get a T-shirt last time I was here just because I like their slogan ("Come! Sit! Stay!").

    (3)

  • Sandra M.

    I could have sworn I had already Yelped this place. My family loves coming here. The burgers are good, the ribs ok. They are pretty busy and service is slow on the summer weekends. We avoid it then and try to come on week days. My daughter is into dogs and puppies and loves checking out the artwork. Your trip isn't complete though, until you go across the street to their little store for a tshirt.

    (4)

  • CJ Q.

    Wait to sit was awful! Tho I don't blame restaurant. There was a festival nearby that rained out. So twice as many people and rooftop seating was not open with the rain. But for 2hr wait, food was super yum. We bout licked our plates clean. My Mahi sandwich was so good but smaller portion than other plates. Other thumbs up in our party was Maui burger (added bacon at servers suggestion), ribs, fish tacos, turkey club. I was perfectly full. Rest felt stuffed. Nice that they offer to text when your up, instead of pagers so you can wander farther away when there's a long wait. But our group of out of towners didn't seem to have strong signals and worried we might miss the text msg.

    (4)

  • Linda B.

    Great looking restaurant. We had looked forward to sitting and eating in the rooftop area but were told it was for over 21. Our teenage son was let down. My burger was fine, and the bun was good. The ahi tuna tacos were good, seared not overcooked. The cheeseburger sliders and the French fries were just average. The prices were three to five dollars more than other well known burger places in the area. Overall, liked it and would go again.

    (2)

  • Loree R.

    Love this place! Sit on rooftop in nice weather & see Lake Michigan! The food is the best! Great service too!

    (5)

  • Yvonne M.

    I enjoyed this place! The atmosphere is relaxed and casual. The service is terrific! All of the food and drinks were pretty good also. I would definitely return.

    (4)

  • Arthur M.

    This is not a foodie destination, however- definitely the restaurant I have visited the most at the beach in Michigan. The burgers are good, the fries are good. There is a rooftop bar for adults only- no screaming kids. There are frozen drinks. The food and service have been consistent and for me that is the mark of a place to return to. The people watching on a Saturday night on the rooftop was magical.

    (5)

  • Ashley S.

    If it's a nice day, sit upstairs (21+). That was really the best thing about this place. If we hadn't been on the roof I don't think I would have enjoyed my meal. The downstairs area was crowded with families and was pretty noisy. The food was fine. The jalapeno poppers were good but super spicy, we couldn't actually eat them all. The rest of the food was pretty standard, nothing to rave about but fine for the price. Our waitress was very good. With the spicy food she had to refill our cups repeatedly and she was very quick about it. The wait for the food was long because it was so busy, but luckily we were pretty happy sitting up on the roof (ordering an appetizer helped too).

    (4)

  • Debbie G.

    Loved the rooftop deck. Ribs were delicious. Waitress was very friendly and did an excellent job in serving our party.

    (4)

  • Robert F.

    Fun environment, great for families and kids. Adult only rooftop patio offers great views of lake. Great menu with solid food lineup. Highly recommend!

    (4)

  • Terral A.

    Great location in New Buffalo next to the boat slips. We stopped here today on the recommendation of a close friend. This is one recommendation that I am glad I took seriously. The atmosphere is casual and fun with everything being dog themed. There Oscar four seasons room in the back, and a large fireplace in the dining room. They also sell shirts and things with their logo. The food was great, and the draft beer cold. I had the chicken tacos that were prepared just right. My wife had the veggie tacos and they were very tasty. The other couple with us had fish tacos, and Chicago style dogs. All of the food wad great, and with generous portions. Overall, this place is great. I would recommend you check this place out if you like traditional American food in a fun casual atmosphere.

    (5)

  • Lisa R.

    Just alright. Total bar food. I think my pulled pork was microwaved. Good service, but chef should focus on using fresh, Michigan ingredients, that would make me feel better about supporting this place.

    (2)

  • Ronin E.

    I'm basing this on a "bar" alone. Easily the best "bar" in the area for any kind of slightly classier clientele... unlike the dive bars in the area where locals frequent, nothing wrong with locals (since I used to be one) but if you're from out of town, just come here to be with people more like yourself (trust me). I went on a super cold night but reminded me of a ski lodge bar with the fireplace and other fixtures. The staff was solid. I will say, we got some chips and salsa with our beers... it was awful, so I'm not reviewing based on the food :)

    (4)

  • John B.

    What else can I say... This place is great! It was a Sunday in October around lunch time and the place was very busy. They took are name AND phone number and gave us a text when our table was ready.. Very cool. Drinks were amazing, waiter was amazing and food was amazing.

    (5)

  • Luke K.

    Best place in New Buffalo! It's an absolute must to stop in and enjoy the food and atmosphere.

    (5)

  • Anne S.

    I like this place! I have eaten lunch on the first floor porch and dinner after dark on the rooftop. Both were lovely spots! The food was all good, and reasonably priced. Service was good. The view was fantastic! This time I had a Cobb salad, it was big and delicious, and came with a bread stick. I also had a frozen raspberry vodka lemonade. It was tasty, and a good deal for $7.

    (4)

  • Scott C.

    The food just isn't the same since they've rebuilt and reopened. A lot of the menu items are obviously made from food that's been frozen which is disappointing because it didn't used to be like that. Plus, if you're going to try and be a sports bar, you might want to invest in the DirecTV package where you get the Big Ten Network...because you're in Big Ten country...and people in Michigan might want to watch a Michigan football game. Just a thought.

    (1)

  • Ryan H.

    We always used to like going here. Not sure what happened post fire and remodeling but the service was terrible. The guy that was serving forgot our drinks, food was way late and cold. And no lake perch on the menu anymore. Hello, next to Lake Michigan and perch is locally kind of restaurant standard. My guess is that they've had a hard time restaffing. i mean the guy was disgruntled about something. had to call over another waiter for the drinks and even then it was slow. Only reason i'm giving it 2 stars instead of 1 is that the food we did get was just as good as before - after we asked for something hot that is. but folks you used to have a great staff. what in the world happened??? fix that and you'll be back to what you were.

    (2)

  • Scott R.

    Stopped at the Stray Dog on our way to Chicago, and decided to stop again on the way home. Great food, great atmosphere, great location and family friendly. I'm a fan.

    (4)

  • John P.

    Always good times!! Great staff & management. Our most recent server "Stephanie" was a great experience. She was a great example of why we come back to Stray Dog again & again.

    (5)

  • Ashley M.

    This is my favorite place to eat and drink in New Buffalo. I love everything from the pizza and jalapeno poppers to the beer to the merchandise! This is my happy place. Happiness is a new Stray Dog t-shirt. I wish they had a website that worked!

    (5)

  • Jason And Claire Z.

    Visited this summer after they re-opened. Very nice, as expected. Our wait time was exactly as they told us. Patio on roof was awesome and much larger. The homemade pizza was outstanding and we appreciated the diverse options as far as toppings. I would HIGHLY suggest The Stray Dog to anyone!! Great!!!!

    (5)

  • Xamyma O.

    Yea burned to the ground BUT....saw a sign on 94(?) that announced it's re-opening but I can't remember the new date. Sorry only passed it once.

    (3)

  • Craig L.

    Stayed in New Buffalo for a week. Went here our first night, went again for our last. Nothing fancy in terms of food, but atmosphere was well laid out and loud -- great for eating with kids as no one notices when they get out of hand. Everything we had was basic but surprisingly very well done. I can speak for the burger and ribs -- I'm picky when jt comes to BBQ and the slab was really good; not over reliant on sauce. Nice beer selection also. The kids (3, 5 and 10) gave the chicken tenders a "10 out of 10." There is always a crowd here for a reason. But they're organized enough to deal with it effectively (texting when table is ready).

    (4)

  • Nhi C.

    Visiting from Chicago. My friends recommended this place to eat. We decided to give it a try. Very good pizza! My bosses (kids) definitely approved.

    (4)

  • Mike K.

    The Stray Dog is the local dive bar for tourists in New Buffalo. To wit: * They sell t-shirts and other souvenirs * Band in the corner * Dance floor * Sports on TV * Drunk people * Waitresses and female bartenders curiously all with their hair up * Mostly tourists with some locals peppered in. Remind you of anything? How about Division Street or Hubbard Street in Chicago? If you want carousing and a more raucous time, Stray Dog is your place. If you want a more relaxed scene, head to Casey's. Three stars.

    (3)

  • Derek H.

    Stopped for lunch on Sunday 05/20/12 around 1:30 pm and seated very promptly. The atmosphere is very casual, with a main dining area, a screened in porch and outdoor seating on the deck. We sat in the screened in porch and it was very comfortable and our server was very attentive and helpful. I've enjoyed beverages on the deck several times but I had never had the pleasure of dining here until now. The menu has menu choices with burgers, sandwiches, pizzas and some bigger entrees. There are many appetizers to choose from. I had the heart attack in a bun - The Stray Dog - a hot dog stuffed with cheese, wrapped in bacon and deep fried. It was fantastic - highly recommend. My wife enjoyed her Caesar Chicken Wrap. The bar has a fantastic selection of beers on tap and in bottles. They have a wide selection of craft beers including many "local" beers. I will definitely be returning soon!

    (4)

  • Karen C.

    Been going here for years but the prices of drinks is out of line. The worst wine for 8 bucks and if you want something drinkable it is 10 bucks...No chance of going there on a regular basis as it is robbery. The food is edible but not the easy, affordable place that it was. If you bring a group it will be well over 200.00 for snacks and drinks. If there are two of you, expect 80 to 90 dollars. That is, if you have two glasses of wine and something to eat. Too bad.

    (2)

  • Goda G.

    i would give it 5 stars but i went monday and hated my server. My family and friends come out here from chicago suburbs to hang out at the beach and always make sure to stop here. it was great before they burned down but they came back even better! food was giant portions, atmosphere was great, and the restaurant was just gorgeous. what im going to say is specificaly a one time experience, and i cant say all the new servers are like this. Hopefully it wont happen again but be warned only problem at stray dog was stephanie. i understand not everyones perfect and we cant be on top of it every day but this chick just wanted me and my cousin to order eat and leave. we asked what kind of drinks they had and she listed all the different coke products, but failed to mention any shakes or flavored lemonades. im a fan of coke so i got a diet but my cousin hates pop so she got a water, we both would have gotten shakes tho. sucks we found a paper under the condiments after our meal.... she also pressured us to order fast and came back every 2 minutes . clearly if were both looking at the menus reading were not ready... her tone every time she asked us if we were ready got worse and worse. we ordered on her 3rd time coming back.... we both got soups and entres everything was great.... she checked on us 5 times but watever. after taking our last plates away she asked if we wanted if we wanted the checks together or separate.... not if she could get us anything else, not if were were ready for the checks, not if we wanted dessert.( IDK if im just weird but no matter how full i am and i was full half way through my salad that i didnt finish but i would consider dessert) we asked the lady at the store if they had desserts, because our waitress definitely didnt offer us any. im a server to and i know not to check on a table to much it just bothers people, and dont you wanna get your sales up to get higher tips? you would want to offer different things..... bottom line tell us wat stray dog has to offer with out being in our face all the time. a guy came buy and asked how everything was assuming he was the manager, we didnt wanna deal with it anymore so we just said good awkwardly. we both only left 10% tip and usualy would woulda left about 30-40% if she woulda been better. oh well next time hopefully we'll get a better server. the store next doors pretty expensive for sweats and tshirts but i bout one anyway.... sizes really vary so try anything youre going to buy on... one sweatshirt was supertight as a large the other was wayyyy to big as a large so be warned.

    (4)

  • Taryn T.

    I think this place deserves five stars for its well-oiled service alone - despite the fact that they're almost always packed (being located right near the beach and all), they manage to swiftly get people in and out without making you feel the least bit rushed. We came here for dinner at 8 p.m. on a Saturday night, and we were seated in less than half an hour. You get one of those little buzzer things while you wait, and you can walk up to a block and half away with it, so you get to enjoy the nice weather until your table is ready. My burger with avocados and a thick slab of cheddar cheese was delish, and so were the vegetarian tacos as an appetizer - you really can't go wrong with this place if you want some tasty bar-style food. It's definitely a family place - it loud, there are kids aplenty and tables are pretty close to each other - so try one of the restaurants further down the street if you're looking for a romantic evening.

    (5)

  • Kylie S.

    My absolute favorite restaurant in New Buffalo (and the surrounding area). My hometown is nearby and I make it a point to visit almost every time I'm in the vicinity. Great menu - my favorite is the thin crust pizza with sundried tomatoes and fries (healthy, I know). Tons of beer/wine/liquor. Prices are reasonable. Parking is relatively easy. It can get crowded and you may need to search for a bit on a Saturday, but you'll find something. Best part? The rooftop bar in the summer. Awesome.

    (5)

  • Food Nazi A.

    Yet another place that came highly recommended in New Buffalo, and it didn't disappoint. Arrived in New Buffalo later in the evening and needed to unwind after a long day at work and the drive from Chicagoland and The Stray Dog made it all worthwhile. The place wasn't overly crowded and the night was nice so we opted to sit on the rooftop deck. Note: bring bug spray and cover your ankles in the spray because those skeeters were straight up gangsters...they attacked like there was no tomorrow!! The view overlooks the marina and I could only imagine the view during the day...b-e-a-utiful!!! Our server was very pleasant and made excellent suggestions for food. I had the Maui Burger and the GF had the fish tacos, which both came with fries (nice and crispy I must add) and didn't disappoint. They have a good selection of craft beers from the area and your regular domestics and imports. I had to try several of the crafts and IPAs and enjoyed each one, though some were much better than others. Definitely will come back here whenever visiting the area!

    (4)

  • Linda N.

    The noisiest place I have ever been. We ended up getting our food to go and went out and watched the sunset in peace and quiet. 45 minute wait to get in, so lots of people must not mind the noise.

    (2)

  • Angie B.

    Stray Dog is one of our favorites in New Buffalo, GREAT food, good prices, nice atmosphere, live music on the weekends and wonderful staff (Joey aka Hollywood). Service is always fast and food is always great, can't go wrong at the Dog. We can't wait for it to re-open in the Spring!

    (5)

  • Cassie S.

    Went here for lunch after a long day of blueberry picking. It 100% hit the spot, but I do question a bit whether I would feel the same if I hadn't been famished, dehydrated, sunburnt and exhausted. I had an absolutely delicious grilled cheese sandwich. A little on the greasy side, but that only added to the deliciousness. It had tomato and bacon on it and was scrumptious. Only thing that would have made it better is swiss cheese (as opposed to American). Fries were really good too. My friend's burger looked amazing. The nachos at the table next to us looked especially good (of course, everything looked really good while we were waiting for our food...) We sat in the screened in patio in back, which was teeming with small children. Wish they had given us the option to sit outside on the roof (?) deck (did a little exploring and found it, but at that point we had already ordered and moving wasn't worth the hassle). Beer selection looked good, but I couldn't imagine a drink other than water at that point in the day.

    (4)

  • Tim B.

    I Love the pictures of the dogs. I have been going here 6 years! Love the food.

    (5)

  • Pamela C.

    4 stars for the atmosphere, service, location, scenic patio, and impressive beer selection. -1 star for the long wait and Applebees-esque food. We ordered the chicken tenders and fries thinking it was a safe bet. I could only muster up the strength to eat one piece. Meh. The poppers were terrific. Homemade and SPICY....unexpected fire! Come early or expect a long wait. And stick to the drinks.

    (3)

  • Lawrence P.

    Got harassed at the door by the "bouncer"... My date actually had her ID questioned in about 40 different ways and the "bouncer" told her it was a fake... When it isn't and we both are 26... Kinda ruined the whole time there... We are from Wisconsin and this place seems to be a place with alot of out of town people coming in... They should know their stuff alot better.

    (2)

  • Amy S.

    The hostess said our wait would be 45 minutes and it was only 35 minutes - score! We got a nice table for our group and the service was very attentive. We were incredibly pleased with our pizzas. We thought they were bigger than the 12 inches that was stated on the menu. Also, the toppings were quite plentiful. We really enjoyed the barbque chicken and the regular plain cheese pizza. What a treat! We also had the chips and guac and enjoyed that too. We will certainly go back next time we are in New Buffalo. Also, if you are a fan of dogs, there are tons of pictures of stray dogs that found homes in the restrooms.

    (4)

  • Shawn H.

    The sun was warm, the beer was cold and the food was delicious on the rooftop patio!

    (4)

  • Negin J.

    Fish Tacos were good! So was the craft beer.

    (5)

  • Anthony P.

    This place has a few things I don't care for. It feels a bit touristy, which is not helped by the presence of a gift shop. It is also usually overrun by families with kids, but that dies down the later in the evening that you go. Aside from that, it has a great location; right over the bridge is the beach. If you opt for the outdoor seating, you're treated to a pretty decent view. And the food and drink and the service has never disappointed. The whole neighborhood makes for a nice getaway, and this place makes for an enjoyable meal.

    (3)

  • Kristen S.

    The Stray Dog is a great location, right near the marina and the beach. It's a typical bar & grill, as you would expect. The food is so-so, and the service matches. But if you are in the area, this is definitely one of the places to stop for a good meal. I had a salad with goat cheese and oranges, which was lovely. The server made note of my gluten allergy and I felt fine. My husband ordered the white pizza, which he thought was just okay, nothing special. It took longer to cook and he didn't like the wait for it, either. Loud, fun, okay food. A great location.

    (3)

  • Sarah C.

    Stray Dog has been part of my SW Mich. vocabulary since its doors opened. Yet, the first time I ever ate a full meal was Labor Day 2010. I consider this more of a drinking establishment. :) The food is average and reliable. The pizzas are tasty. The buffalo chicken pizza has some kick to it. I can always recommend a good burger at the Dog. Stray Dog is family friendly in the afternoon and early evening. Kids love looking at the photos of dogs brought in my area owners (especially in the bathrooms). If the food is merely a foil for your beverage, let me recommend the rooftop deck. If the deck is packed or the weather is not right, request to sit on the screened in porch out back. i love the twinkly lights. Plus you can hear the live music (when it's going) without being drowned out by it. Do yourself a favor and do not buy a souvenir on your way out. Stray Dog sweatshirts, t-shirts and paraphernalia have become the tourists' favorite memory maker and it's just not that cool anymore. Plus, the prices are ridiculous. If you're looking for some local memorabilia, go old school and pick up a Redamak's shirt, or go new school and stop by Third Coast Surf Shop. But Stray Dog? Overdone.

    (3)

  • Robin C.

    This is the go-to-place if you're in the New Buffalo area. We used to frequent The Stray Dog before it burned down and they had great burgers and personal pizzas. I used to get their fish tacos and they always seemed fresh and very filling. We decided to go back on opening day and were immediately pleased with the remodel. It's much more open and the bar is definitely the focal point now. We were seated in the back dining room and it didn't seem to change much from the original layout. What we didn't like about the dining room was the acoustics. Between 2 TVs, cement floor and the handful of patrons, we could not hear ourselves talk to one another. It's very family-friendly but not a place you'd go to for having a romantic evening out. I ordered the French Onion soup and it was just "ok". My Philly steak sandwich was good and very filling. There is a lot of wait staff and ours was super friendly.....almost too friendly. Haa ha. I think it's a great place for the entire family or if you're with a group of friends.

    (3)

  • Kevin O.

    This is a great location which my parents (from Florida) always want to eat at when we drive by. A great atmosphere and incredible service. The food is plentiful and very well done. Can get a bit noisy and a lot of families go there so if you do not like "kids" around you who may be loud then you may want to avoid this for lunch or dinner. I did not go upstairs to the roof but I can imagine it is very nice with a fantastic view. I am not sure I would drive longer than 20 miles just to go here but if you are even close to the area and want a casual dining experience with great service I would highly recommend this location.

    (4)

  • Mihir P.

    An interesting place...the inside seems semi-upscale yet the outdoor area is downscale. I met a nice couple at the bar while waiting for a table. We had an interesting discussion on cognitive-behavioral psychology. Our waitress was a bit shy but she was good. At least I thought so. The people I was with were demanding so they were critical. I thought the bar food was decent but nothing to write home about. But good enough for Yelp.

    (3)

  • Cathy R.

    Went here based on other Yelp reviews. Plenty busy on a late August weekend. Headed to the rooftop area, but seating there was 25 min., so we settled for the patio. It turned out ok because we were facing the boats/marina, but lots (AND LOTS) of families with young, screaming children! So, as for the food and drinks....jerk seasoned rotisserie chicken was awesome! The green chili burger was very tasty, as well, but wish the sides were a little more varied. Fries with both. We had a couple of bikini martinis (would have chosen a glass of wine had I noticed the prices) and a couple of coco loco martinis (very similar to a painkiller if you've been to the VI area). Like the merchandise available...bought a Stray Dog tshirt for my college aged son!

    (4)

  • Heidi B.

    Great Reuben sandwich and good tilapia fish tacos. Fries were nothing special. Recommend making reservations, the wait was about 45 minutes for a Saturday night.

    (4)

  • Carol J.

    Popped in during the Ship and Shore Festival and loved the weekend community vibe. Reminded me of my mispent youth in Lake Geneva. I walked in with a band that just finished and we were lucky enough to snag seats at the bar straightaway. Prices were super cheap ($5.00 for a decent glass of wine? Hello!). We shared a big giant mess of food including some of the tastiest nachos I've ever had, fish tacos made with tilapia, a ginormous club sammie, juicy burgers and mounds of fluffy on the inside fries. Service was spot on and people kept coming over and checking on us to see if everything was good, a lady from St. Joe sent us a round of shots. Either people in Michigan are super duper nice, or they all loved the hottie singer too. Huge rooftop deck with fantastic view of the harbor and if you can squint really tight on a super clear night you might see the Chicago skyline on the horizon.

    (4)

  • John T.

    ALWAYS A GREAT TIME!! From the evening piano bar to the great food and drink prices, I love this place! In the summer, when I go, it is hopping with people that are all laughing and having a great time! I recommend this to everyone! I have eaten their grilled fish tacos a few times and every time they are better and better.

    (5)

  • Emily G.

    Rooftop bar was enjoyable and dinner in the dining room was good. Service was slow making it difficult to dine with young children.

    (3)

  • Dennis L.

    We stopped at The Stray Dog Bar & Grill on the way back to Chicago after visiting Western Michigan. It was a beautiful day, and the rooftop deck was the perfect spot for a quick lunch. The Lakeside Citrus Salad and Turkey Club were both delicious. The service was friendly and efficient.

    (4)

  • Tom Z.

    Only have eaten here once. The one star is because it IS lively and had Bell's on tap. Also, my wife liked her Pineapple burger (that was inventive). Oh - also, the very cool name. But that's where it ended with the 2nd star. (I think 'Lost Dog' is a better moniker) My biggest gripe is the perch. After enjoying the stellar fresh pan-fried Perch in South Haven from the 'Thirsty Perch' (each bite caused my eyes to close) - a little squeeze of fresh lemon was all that was needed despite their offering of homemade tartar sauce....and the equally fresh beer-battered perch sandwich with homemade tartar sauce that's mixed with vinaigrette from the Old Boys Brewhouse in Spring Lake just outside of Grand Haven - I can't tell you how disappointing it was to see and eat tasteless, previously frozen perch being offered at a supposedly 'hip' lakeside restaurant. No Whitefish, no Walleye. But wait, there's a 'fresh grouper sandwich'. Most vacationers prefer fish that is endemic to the area - not fish from 1000 miles away. I will try the Grouper if I come back I suppose since I do like it when in Florida.... They have a lot of room for improvement on their Pizza and hot Dog menu....

    (2)

  • Craig C.

    This place has a great view, but that is about it. The food is seriously substandard and the help is miserable. I am pretty sure their help is acquired by recruiting local high schools and seeking out the sub 2.0 students... The worst part is that the management is outwardly cocky about how busy this place is and it is as if they dont care. Plenty of other places to go in the area, avoid Stray Dog. It is a shame too, the place is very cute and the roof top deck is wonderful.

    (1)

  • Joe B.

    Great place for a beer on the rooftop and I recommend the stray dog if your in the mood for a hot dog...beer is a little overpriced though $5 for a 14 oz bud light when Casey's has pints of bud light for $3

    (4)

  • Cassie B.

    Nice looking restaurant and bar. All wait staff were good. Hated the kale salad--over dressed but the wait staff did the right thing, took it back & brought another mediocre salad. Good dark and stormy! We ordered a pizza with roasted garlic and got big chunks of raw garlic. I wouldn't order pizza there again. But I would go there for cocktails!

    (2)

  • Jason M.

    Came in here for drinks twice and lunch once during a recent week long stay in New Buffalo. We appreciated the Bells on tap (Oberon and Two Hearted Ale) and the live music upstairs. The food was decent but nothing special. The shirts and other merchandise are cute - I wish I would have bought a t-shirt as a souvenier. We'd definitely go back if we were in the area!

    (4)

  • F P.

    Gone, I think..?

    (5)

  • Sarah L.

    I stopped here for dinner on Saturday night with some friends. We took a day trip to lovely New Buffalo and spent the day at the beach! Seriously, Michigan has much better beaches than Chicago and it actually felt like we were on vacation. We wanted a nice filling dinner after a long day in the sun so we stopped into the Stray Dog. This place was jumping! We had a small wait but it went pretty quick. Our waitress was so amazing and friendly! She was very accommodating and made our visit a pleasure. We all shared chips and salsa for an appetizer. The salsa was fantastic and it was fresh! I was in love. I had the grouper sandwich as my meal and it was very good. It wasn't breaded or fried and I loved that. It was a huge portion too! My hubs had the fish tacos, he really liked them. My other 2 friends each had burgers and they loved them! If I go back, I will have to try a burger next time. Great atmosphere and excellent food! You must stop by if you are in the New Buffalo area.

    (4)

  • Christopher R.

    Just passing through on our way up the coast. The Stray Dog Bar is near a small harbor which creates a cool environment. The bar has a great "patio" like area in back with large windows that give you the feeling your outside. Interesting decor, wood paneling with large branches wrapped in white lights which give it a nice touch. Good beer selection. They boasted their pizza which were "homemade". We got the buffalo chicken pizza and i was only marginally satisfied. The taste was decent, hot with a little kick. but the crust they were proud of was bland, hard and looked like store bought frozen dough. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't horrible but it just wasn't great. Overall, the location and beer saved this place. If i lived in the area, I would be back to enjoy a pint while watching the boats on the water.

    (3)

  • Nick P.

    When I think of Stray Dog I think ridiculous dancing to a live band while eating a great late night pizza. There are many other great things about the stray dog. But if your 21-45 and looking to have a fun weekend night and your near stray dog go there!!! Great rooftop deck! Great Maui chicken burger great lakeside salad! And the manager Joe makes this place feel like home every time we walk in with a large crew of people. Love it! 10 stars if it were up to me!

    (5)

  • Pete J.

    The whole package- great service, nice location/decor/view, and good food with lots of tap beers available. Very touristy in summer (they have a separate store across the parking lot which sells all things Stray Dog) but now, in December, it actually has a warm, welcoming ambiance. Quite an extensive menu, including surprisingly good pizzas. I highly recommend the feta/ onion/ kalamata olive pizza. The jalapeño poppers are awesome as well. Fifty steps from the Amtrak.

    (4)

  • Jerod C.

    Most of my time leading up to this visit to the Stray Dog consisted of trowing back a few adult beverages. But this was the first time I ever went for dinner. I had the buffalo chicken pizza which was good. Noting special, but still tasty. I like this place far better as just a bar. There's a great open air roof patio and a screened in porch on the lower level. Good selection of local beers.

    (3)

  • Jim D.

    This place is essentially the only game in town if you like to drink past 10 PM. So all you Chicago weekenders staying at your folk's cottages (admit it!), this is the place you go after dinner with mom and dad. They have Bell's and a few other good beers, solid American pub grub, and fairly decent burgers and wraps. Nothing special, but its cheap and it gets the job done. They also have a very current knowledge of shots, the LeBomb James got invented around last week and they knew exactly what it was (FYI- Crown Royal, Grenadine and Red Bull shot, pour sugar on your hands and throw it in the air) The place is packed on summer weekend nights with an aging house band that plays all the required classic rock hits. All in all its a really good time, the crowd is a funny mix of the aforementioned twenty something freeloaders, empty nesters dancing to the oldies, and cougars and their male equivalents doing whatever it is they do. I've heard a lot about weak service here, but I always go with my brother, a former employee, in tow so this doesn't become an issue. In fact, getting served by his former drinking buddies and having the manager come bull shit with us was rather pleasant. He works as a bus boy in a resort town, I work insurance in the 'burbs, I got so hosed during college summers. Not that I'm bitter or anything.

    (4)

  • Steven M.

    I think that Ron needs to get laid before he leaves Chicago. The place was packed on a Saturday afternoon and they had just opened up the roof deck. We sat at the bar and couldn't have had a better experience. I had a couple lemon heavens and they were very good. I also had the chicken wrap with fries and the onion loaf. The wrap had hot wings in it and it was very good. The service was great and the people are very friendly. Top on my list when i'm in the area.

    (4)

  • Akira S.

    Overall it was OK. Beer in plastic cups. Fried fish sticks in a plastic basket. Nice place on the terrace but food nothing special.

    (3)

  • Carolyn G.

    Came here with my kids and my Mom since it is a family friendly environment but I was not that impressed and I never really have been. My family likes to come here when we're in New Buffalo, but I think for what they offer they're pretty overpriced. The service leaves something to be desired as well. We did not have to wait very long, but we ordered some drinks and still needed a min. to look at the menu. We did not see her for a very long time and when we finally waved her down, she said she had forgotten about us. We never received the appetizer we ordered and after we got the food we didn't see her again until she brought the check. The food was just ok, nothing great. Also, a server dropped a whole tray of glasses near us and the shards of glass landed under our table. No one even stopped by to make sure we weren't hurt. My kids like it but I think I'll try to talk them into another place next time.

    (2)

  • Andrew G.

    A bit touristy. Food is good, service is usually good, great location. I'm not exactly a fan, but I do plan to eat there again. It's a good place, but nothing which would be highlighted in a personalized biography about the area.

    (3)

  • mei s.

    it's a cute place by the water, the food is just ok. nothing appealing for foodies. this is a place you go to hang out and just relax.

    (3)

  • Brooke W.

    Probably the nicest bar in New Buffalo, good location (down by the harbor), nice enclosed patio, good decor, good food... overall everything was good.

    (4)

  • AM M.

    Very cute establishment but get ready for some crazy policies. No one under 21 is allowed on the rooftop and you have to have 2 forms of ID to drink if you look under 40. I understand policies but the manager that handled it was a complete jerk. I am here on vacation with my parents and at the age of 24, I just grabbed my ID as we were leaving the house thinking nothing of it. When the manager came over to tell us that my state issued ID wouldn't cut it, he was not only rude but lied to us. If you can't trust your employees to properly ID, then get a damn scanner. This is a tourist destination- expect out of state licenses!

    (2)

  • Nichole F.

    Stray Dog is my favorite restaurant in the area. I love the food. I've had just about everything on the menu, as we visit our favorite bartender Aaron often. My favorite thing, of course, is the Stray Dog. It's not healthy at all, but that's the beauty of dining out - indulging myself. :) It's a bacon wrapped cheese stuffed deep fried hot dog. Topped with carmelized onions. Nom! Nom! Not only that, the beer is always cold - there's always a great variety. It's a great place for live music. The rooftop bar is awesome. I love all of it! Their house salad is a great pre-meal chomp too!! Love love love it!

    (5)

  • Moe f.

    It's the most touristy, kid friendly place in town. And it's located right by the water so it's always packed. Decent burgers and fish tacos. Beer is priced higher than what I can get it for down the block.

    (3)

  • Renee D.

    There are better places in town to eat or drink. Food is average at best. Not really "on the list" at this point for us, but the atmosphere is fun.

    (3)

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Map

Opening Hours

  • Mon :12:00 pm - 2:00pm
  • Mon : 12:00 pm - 2:00pm

Specialities

  • Takes Reservations : No
    Delivery : No
    Take-out : Yes
    Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
    Good For : Lunch
    Parking : Private Lot
    Bike Parking : Yes
    Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
    Good for Kids : Yes
    Good for Groups : Yes
    Attire : Casual
    Ambience : Casual
    Noise Level : Average
    Alcohol : Full Bar
    Outdoor Seating : Yes
    Wi-Fi : No
    Has TV : Yes
    Waiter Service : Yes
    Caters : No

The Stray Dog Bar & Grill

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