It's okay. Just okay. It used to be great. But there's way better food in the area. This week I had salmon special with pasta. It was good salmon with frozen veggies all over it. The pizza & breadsticks are good. If you go stick to bar food.
(2)
Joe J.
Holy hugeness! This was my first visit after moving away nine years ago. It's so big now. Service was fast and friendly and the food was great. Our group finished off a large pepperoni pizza and ordered a bbq chicken pizza and that quickly disappeared. It was a Thursday night and the place was packed as it is every night. Zukey Lake Tavern is a local landmark. Everybody knows where it is and everybody loves it.
(5)
Darrick M.
Always great food and service. We frequent this place very often. Always great food and service. We frequent this place very often.
(5)
Kelli P.
We eat at Zukey often. He likes the rooftop seating, but their food downstairs is so much tastier. Fried raviolis are my usual. I'm addicted. If you must eat upstairs, I would suggest ordering a salad. Their burgers, though I do not partake in the flesh consumption of cows, seem dry. Most things on their rooftop menu are weak, including the seafood/sausage dip. Ack. What the upper level does have to offer is an amazing view and gentle breeze on a warm night. Either seating location (upstairs or down) has somewhat slow service, so be sure to make time for this dining experience to avoid frustration. By the way, upstairs requires cash payment. Yes, another reason to march your tush back down the ramp to the home of deliciousness (1st floor).
(4)
Janelle C.
Been to Zukey several times, my kids always want to go there, we went one weekend night and listened to so real good live music. We took my brother in law there and he said afterwards "that was the best salad I have ever had" I would recommend it to anyone, good variety of both food & drinks..
(5)
Kevin T.
Here on a Sunday morning with a big group and signed up for Zukey's Sunday Breakfast Buffet. Definitely not an 'elegant' brunch (more resembles breakfast at a camping lodge), but delivers a respectable offering and all at $7.95 (adults) & $3.95 (kids 6-12). Strewn alongside the perimeter of the huge bar area are two identical areas stocked with french toast (very good), pancakes, bacon, sausage, fresh sliced ham, biscuits/sausage gravy and and interesting selection of breakfast pizza that more resembles quiche. My favorite is the omelet station with cooked to order omelets (or eggs). Coffee is great. Juices included as well. Bloody Marys are a couple bucks off, but I'll save that for another visit. All in all...a great breakfast at a fun, upbeat & most friendly locale.
(3)
Valarie M.
We just purchased a home in the area and knew we needed to check out the local hotspot. Since then we have been back multiple times. The atmosphere is that of your typical small town bar/grill with sports games going, Keno rolling and beer flowing. The walls are plastered in cool pictures and knick knacks that have more than likely been acquired over the years, as well as a huge wall full of t-shirts and other Zukey Lake memorabilia available to purchase. My favorite feature is the enormous windows spanning the length of the far wall that overlook the lake. The food has not disappointing but not mind blowing either. Portions are overly generous. However it would be nice to see something different on the menu than your traditional bar food. it's always refreshing to see new twists on a menu. I've had their nachos, burgers and pizza and all tasted just as guilty as it felt. my favorite so far though is their steak chili. Huge chunks of steak mixed in with beans and burger and deliciousness! Only way you're going to find chili tasting this good is by doing it homemade style which is what I am certain they are doing here. They also do Sunday breakfast with an omelet station. I have not had the opportunity to try it out but I am excited to find the time for a Sunday breakfast at Zukey Lake Tavern. Their waitstaff is friendly and knowledgeable and efficient as well. I am really looking forward to experiencing the place in the warmer months because they have a top level open air bar that faces the lake. I'm guessing it's the perfect place to drop by after a day on the water. All in all it's a great local joint to grab a bite with family or hang out in the evening with good friends and cold drinks. This will be a place we will frequent for many years to come.
(4)
Ian T.
We love Zukey Lake, they have great food, and even better Pizza. Our family goes quite often, and has for years. The building has really changed over the years, it's gotten nicer, and bigger with each change. The staff is excellent, and the bartenders really fly. Parking is always interesting, but it's a great place to come if you ride, they have a bike section up front. Now let me be clear, this is a family joint, and a nice one. However it still is cool for everyone even bikers, with great music guests, a killer lake front property, and a wonderful upper patio deck.
(5)
Daron D.
This is another classic toss up between 4 and 5 stars. Came here on a simple night out and wanted to try something different. I decided to go with the rooftop patio (for which they only accept cash). The view of the lake from the rooftop is one if, if not the best view in the area. For beer they have 6 on tap and run $4-$5. They also have a tropical drink menu, at which all drinks are $6( I had a Mai tai and two others, all three were great and strong). As for food, they have a nice size menu, but by then being on the roof, they do not serve wings, pasta, or fries (which wasn't pleasant for me because those are my three favorite things to have at restaurants). So for me I had/try three things: Italian Sausage ( good size, not large as they advertise it, but good nonetheless), spinach and artichoke dip (dip was really good, chips were thin), and their pizza (good, not great. Notice that this was majority of people choice of food here). Overall this is a really really good place with good food and drinks. When you add on the fact of the rooftop lake view, now you got something special.
(5)
Maizey T.
We stopped in for dinner after the youth baseball tournament in Hamburg. The staff was super friendly, the owner even stopped by to see how our team placed at the tournament. The food was good. I had a taco salad that was yummy! But it was lacking in tortilla chips by the time the waitresses checked back in so I could ask for more chips everyone was finishing up. We would have loved to eat on the lakeside outdoor deck but they only accept cash on the deck. We sat inside where they would accept credit cards. The setting is a sports bar lots of TVs to watch. Spacious and lots of seating inside. I would definitely go back but would recommend waitstaff checkin more at the table after the meal is served.
(4)
Ryan D.
Worst restaurant in the area terrible service and terrible foo. I am never going to come here again. I don't see what the big hype is its a restaurant on the lake. We have tried this place three times and we have had a bad experience each time we have come here.
(1)
Candice E.
We had dinner here tonight, been wanting to try for years. Not impressed at all! As soon as we sat down I order a kids pizza for my niece. 25 minutes later it came out. The rest of the service was slow too. The food is nothing spectacular. We've had better at most places. They so have a great view of the lake and a fabulous deck upstairs. The upstairs menu is very limited and they only take cash up there though. We won't be back.
(2)
Erin C.
I went into Zukey Lake being really optimistic and excited for something new. Unfortunately, I was very disappointed. When I first got there, we had to wait 15 minutes before we were even asked for our drink order. I had to go up and ask the hostess to get our waiter for us. Then we ordered drinks and an appetizer. Except our drinks came 10 minutes later and our appetizer was never brought to us. Our main entrees eventually came out, I ordered the much talked about Wet Burrito. Absolutely nothing special about it. Pretty sure it was just came from a thawed frozen package and then put on a pan to heat up. Taco Bell equivalent. NOT worth it. My husband ordered the steak, came out practically moo-ing, way too rare. Overall, this place was way too over exaggerated about its "greatness" and I was not impressed. Will not be back again.
(1)
Christina M.
I come all the way from Texas for the Osso Bucco, and I swear it gets better every time! They have great prices, great waiters and an overall great atmosphere! I will definitely be back for the Osso Bucco as soon as I'm back in Michigan
(5)
JonNDebby P.
One star is for the great service, and one star is for the fun bar atmosphere and good beer on tap. The lack of any other stars is for the mediocre food. My husband and I both ordered from the "specials" menu. I think the items on the "specials" menu were on "special" because the Sysco salesperson needed to unload them quickly. The turkey pot pie came straight from the freezer in a disposable aluminum tray reheated in the oven. A real cook would have a hard time finding enough bags of salt to reach the 3000 mg of sodium that was apparently in each serving. My husband's macaroni and cheese dish tasted better, like a more interesting box of Kraft Macaroni and Cheese (way less salty than the pot pie). The kitchen may have mixed some milk or water into a box of powder to create that culinary masterpiece. The side salad was a bunch of iceberg lettuce with three cucumber slices, three grape tomatoes, and four bag croutons accompanied by ordinary jar dressing. Amazingly enough, I found one lonely piece of spinach in my salad. Where did that come from? I would come back for a drink but will eat beforehand.
(2)
Amber B.
This place was nasty. It smells musty and like rancid cooking grease. The iced tea I had tasted like it was from a mix, the coffee was bad too. My chicken club sandwich was 'char-grilled and tasted like gas. My boyfriend's southwest burger ordered medium came rare, but he still asked for mayo because it tasted dry. I noticed that the coleslaw that came with both of our meals looked very old with withered browning cabbage bits. Those came in little plastic containers with lids. I bet they had been sitting around for a week, gross! I left my sandwich and coleslaw and munched on the fries and pickle wedge while my boyfriend continued to eat his burger. This is the worst part: half way through his burger he announced that the salsa on his s.w. burger was rancid! Uggh!!! We live 3 minutes away, but we will NEVER come here again. My advice: If your want to have a meal, STAY AWAY FROM ZUCKY LAKE TAVERN!!! I know there aren't many choices in the area, but for food Mimi's Diner is way better and so is Boogie-woogie BBQ.
(1)
Jo J.
I would eat eat my own feces before eating Zukey Lake's food. Completely over rated. The only thing you can order that tastes delicious is their beer.
(1)
Jason F.
We rowed into this place during a trek on the Huron. The food was decent at best, the server was awesome... she even put up with my friend calling her "Boobs McGee." We were hammered drunk rowing into this place. My only, biggest complaint is their ridiculous to-go beer price. $16 for a 12 pack is unreasonable. Think about the kayakers. Otherwise, keep it real.
(3)
Walter K.
Overall ambience is great but I made a bad choice for dinner -- the lake perch was soaked in a buttery sauce and mushy. I'm used to lake perch being light and even a little crispy, but this was heavy and not very good. I always finish everything -- but this was not edible in my opinion and I didn't finish it. My partner had a gluten-free pizza and and she was happy with it. Service was good and attentive.
(2)
Melissa J.
Tried out the breakfast buffet this morning and was very pleased!! We hit up Big Boy for their all you can eat breakfast buffet but this is a definite step up at a cheaper price. Mimosas are on special during the buffet which is a nice weekend splurge :)
(5)
Jen S.
Been wanting to try for a while. This past weekend we took a drive out to Pinckney to try it. We sat on the outside deck. I hoped it was closer to the water and it is not. This had a limited menu. With all burgers you could only get chips, potato salad or beans. No fries allowed on the deck. I ordered a burger. When you order a burger, I think maybe most people expect it to come with toppings. I got mine with literally just a burger in between 2 buns. Nothing else. I asked the waitress If i could have some toppings and she said "Umm..there should be something on there...lettuce tomatoes and onions..". So she brought me a plate of toppings. The burger wasn't very impressive. Their beer lineup is pretty good. The service was just "ok". She never came over to ask if we needed anything or fill up drinks, we had to wave her down. But since they think its more a bar atmosphere, that may be fine. I also wish they had some music playing. I wasn't really impressed and don't know if we would return.
(3)
Gordon T.
Arguably the best pizza in town, and they always have the Tigers / Pistons / Red Wings on. Weekday buffet is pretty legit, and the occasional live music keeps things interesting. Can't wait for the upstairs patio to open up this summer. I'd give it a thousand stars if I could, but the limit is five.
(5)
Jason S.
Place not prepared for the crowd today. Burgers that we asked to be well were medium at best.......... Best part was the potato skins. At least they were filling. Wasn't impressed. The pizza others got looked great though
(2)
Ray H.
Make sure if you get a carry out they get your order right. Once again I ordered two salads with no onions and once again they screwed it up. How hard can it be? I generally really like their food and atmosphere but this is the third time it has happened.
(1)
Suzanne S.
We used to frequent this restaurant/bar way back in 1984/85! It used to be a small "dive" on Zukey Lake and they had always been known for having the best tasting "wet burrito". It Still stands today and it's been all remodeled !!! It's beautiful inside! We visited for the first time since I moved away in 1992, just the other day!~ The service was awesome and everyone was really nice to us. The restaurant was clean and airy and even the restrooms were not bad at all! I ended up trying the Wet Burrito once more after all of these years! It was just as good, if not better than I remembered it to be. It was smothered in cheese with ground beef and the sauce was excellent and it was very hot and yummy! My husband ended up getting the exact same thing! I thought he was going to try something different, but he decided to try the famous wet burrito that I'd been talking about all of these years! We had hoped that since it was a beautiful and sunny day maybe we could sit up on the 2nd story patio up on the roof! You can sit up there after May 5th they told us and you can see the lake and watch the tubers and boaters etc!! It really makes you feel like you are on vacation when you come to Zukey Lake and the food is good too!
(5)
Miriam S.
It is important to visit a place more than once or twice to really understand what it has to offer. Report card has changed: view of the lake (upstairs, when it is open) = A+ , prompt service =B+, food...now...this is unfortunate, it is the very first time I suffered food poisoning...not pleasant and downright painful..what could have been the matter with a BBQ pizza that seemed so delectable? No matter, we returned after the unfortunate experience cajoled by the lure of the water.....spareribs... which I had the wisdom of sharing with my husband. They were cold, and the baked beans had that coating that we all recognize as food that has been sitting around for a while. The bread was, let see.....let's be honest.....stale. Gazpacho was good.So ..food : D+....We like the place, love the water view, hope for food improvement. They deserve it.
(3)
Mike R.
Nice place, good food , lots of beers to choose from. It is a great place to end up when you're on the chain of lakes.
(3)
Jennifer S.
We came here with a bunch of friends for the Sunday morning brunch. $7.95 breakfast buffet and kids under 5 are free (except for their juice/milk)! Can't say too much about the service since it was a buffet, but our plates got cleared in a timely manner and our drinks were always fresh. The food itself was alright, nothing special. There was lots of greasy, heart attack food, bacon, potatoes, french toast, biscuits and gravy, breakfast pizza. There were also eggs but I can't bring myself to eat those bulk made eggs sitting under the heating lamps. There were some pastries and cold cereal there as well. The one shining light of the breakfast was a) the alcohol, and b) there was an omelette station in the back that didn't have egg whites but was able to do eggbeaters. Some healthy oasis in the desert!
(3)
James M.
Great food and also good staff
(5)
Annette J.
One of the best views + beers in the area! A lovely bar/patio overlooking Zukey Lake. What could be better on a warm summer night? Not much! (Just bring the bug spray). Admittedly the food isn't the best I've ever had but this isn't a gourmet restaurant. Now, I've only eaten in the bar/patio portion upstairs which doesn't have the full menu but what I've had has been a'ight. Actually, the pizza here is quite good. A thick, almost garlic bread-y like crust topped with your choice of toppings or a few pre-designed pies. In particular I like the Hawaiian which is topped with mozzarella, cheddar, chunks of ham and pineapple and crumbled bacon. Ain't nothin' wrong with that! And they're pretty generous! The large pie is the equivalent to an XL in most places. Loads to take home as leftovers or plenty to share if you're with a big group. I've also partaken in the chips and nacho cheese which is basically your standard movie theatre type nacho cheese and tri-colored chips. The house side salad again isn't anything fancy, just some iceberg lettuce with some various veggies atop and croutons. Fresh for what it is but nothing earth shattering. The plates are all styrofoam and the silverware is plastic and comes in those presealed packages you get with your takeout. Not a bad thing since this place is so casual but just a heads up in case you're looking for something a little fancier. The servers here are incredibly nice. Mostly gals who have good attitudes and are helpful and friendly. The beer list is mostly domestic stuff like Bud, Miller, etc. but they do have Oberon on the menu should you want a nice summery beverage made in Michigan. Also the prices for food and booze are not too bad. Overall I love Zukey Lake Tavern! It's a great place to spend a summer evening with a group of friends drinking cheap beers and shooting the 'ish as the sun goes down. Doesn't that sound amazing?
(4)
Aaron S.
We went there late February for their Sunday breakfast buffet. The buffet was standard and had every breakfast item that you would expect. They have a roof top bar that looks like it'd be a fun time during the summer months. We look forward to a return trip during warmer weather to check out the roof top patio. I'll report back... Don't forget to buy yourself a T-shirt.
(4)
Clare G.
Enjoyed sitting outside on the upper patio with a table in the corner away from the loud Friday night crowd. Shrimp gazpacho was too spicy. Burgers look really good here. Comfortable local place. Should have worn my jean cut offs and floral shirt. Cash only payment.
(3)
Chris L.
Are you kidding me? Yeah there is a patio that you can kinda sorta see the lake if you get a good seat. That's about the only good thing I have to say. The goal for the day was simple. Drive somewhere to get some drinks and some grub outside on a sunny spring evening and stare at a lake. Get to the place and the crowd is like the Black Finn of the West side boonies. Nearly everyone is 20 something dbag couples with already impossibly burnt brown tans for Spring and skanky/Ed Hardy apparel. The walk from the parking lot to the bar was so rife with aftershave and perfume I couldn't believe I was still outside. OK not my scene but I'm just here for a bit and my goals are simple so I can tone down my curmudgeonly observations and chill right? No. 2 drinks and one bite of a Hamburger is all it took. Let me 'splain. I ordered a Mojito and some grub and my companion ordered a Margarita and a burger. These were the worse two drinks for the most amount of money I have drank. I'm not an elitist ass, you want to give me Slurpee style alcoholic drinks in a plastic cup for a decent price I'll lap them up happily. But I expect better for $8. Both our drinks came in tiny plastic cups. So much for a salt rimmed margarita then I guess. Both our drinks were rammed to the absolute top with ice. The margarita had so little alcohol I would have let a 2 year old drink it. It tasted terrible and diluted too like lime concentrate splashed in a cup of icewater. My mojito was also toddler safe from an alcohol standpoint but with the added bonus of moldy black mint leaves. I think they got the terms mouldering and muddling confused perhaps? My drink was so shitty and the food at surrounding tables so bad looking I cancelled my food order right away. Plates at your local Denny's look better than what was on most tables here. My friend kept her burger and when it arrived it was a sad over cooked lump of boring that only got one bite out of it before we bailed and started looking for another place. This place just feeds on it's own momentum like some Rube Goldbergian perpetual motion machine. Food-wise there is no reason to go here and the views of the lake are not really even that good the way the tables are set up. The t-shirts are weapons grade hype. Don't fall for it. I wound up after a short drive at the Whitmore Lake Tavern and had a great meal and drinks that fulfilled our simple goal of outside+grub+drinks+view of water that Zukey so miserably failed at.
(1)
Al W.
I had always heard how great this place was & I have seen the shirts all over so I decided to try it. I had a few friends with me & we all had different things. I had the salad pizza which was pretty good. It was different. But as far as my friends food went, it was just average at best, nothing special, definitely wasn't worth the drive or the wait. I think if Pinckney had more dining choices this place wouldn't get as much business as it does.
(2)
miho L.
What a great place to land on a nice spring, summer or fall afternoon/evening for a bite to eat and a short "unwind". No, it's not your top-of-the-line bon apettit fare or service. It's a lovely rooftop perch (or enclosed dining room) and view of Zukey Lake that happens to serve food. As for the crowd, completely unpredictable. Could be any combination of lake people, bikers passing through or families out for a drive. Nothing wrong with the food. Heck, how bad can a bar burger be? Think about it. Pizza is good. The menu is just diverse enough but it's the setting, the ambiance of the lake view that keeps people coming back. If you're out on a sunny afternoon drive with your someone special and you're in the neighborhood, drop in. It'll be a nice complement to your day.
(3)
Melissa P.
I LOVE Zukey Lake! It's especially nice now that it's all nonsmoking. All the food is great, but check out the lobster quesadilla and the lobster bisque! They make a great burger, too. The beer selection is always good and they poor a decent cocktail. It's also very comfortable for people with kids. It doesn't read just "bar." The roof deck is great in the summer, but make sure you go ready to pay. They don't run tabs on the deck - cash is suggested. Zukey Lake feels comfortable all the time. The servers are super helpful and the experience is always fun.
(5)
Spring S.
I wish I can give this place 0 stars to be honest. 1: the service was not so great, she was very unfriendly, as if she didnt want to be there or be bothered by anyone and only one person in our party asked for a refill on pop one time. The pop was disgusting, all flat and tasteless and out of all the 6 adults in our group, they all said the same. pop was not so great. The food most of us got was pretty good except the plate we ordered for our 1 yr old. his fries tasted like they were sitting there for a day or 2 and then served to him.. we didnt let him eat any more after we tasted how crappy they were. Now on to the big reason I have issues with this place... This may sound bit silly to some and think I am griping over something small.. yes it is small but in the end its the principle of it and the whole thing is just wrong!. here is the story. We went to eat lunch there for my friends mothers birthday and my husband and I brought her a balloon with chocolate tied securely to the end of it. We left and got into the parking lot and realized the balloon was left so we went right back for it. Just minutes after leaving and going right back in they brought back the balloon but the chocolate was missing at the end of the balloon, they CLAIMED the bus person threw it away.. um yeah right.. so I went back out to the parking lot, got in the car and left feeling bit un easy about the situation because I thought it was a bit fishy that the chocolate would get tossed but not the balloon... why would someone un tie chocolate from a balloon and toss it? right after customers leave... mind you we were still in parking lot. So anyway I called the manager from outside because I am not one for making scenes or confrontation.. manager thought it was a whole laughing joke and was far from helpful although he didnt believe me until he checked his video.. turned out the chocolate was stolen and EATEN in that short of time by the waitress of our table. she claimed to the manager she thought it was a tip... it obviously was not left as a tip because it was tied to a happy birthday balloon which clearly did not belong to her! AND the fact that when we went back in for the balloon right after they LIED to us saying it was thrown away but the girls telling us that were very rude about it. NO sorry what so ever from the manager. This is not a good way to do business.. I dont care if it was a small thing they stole and lied about.. it is the principle of the matter and should not have been done!!! I will make sure to spread the word of this place.. they do not deserve business. ride employess.. rude manager. all together not a good way to do business.. the manager could have at least offered an apology but instead I was laughed at. I am not one to complain much but when someone steals something then lies about it that is just wrong no matter what it was. I can understand if we left for hrs and they ate it.. fine but we just left and went right back in for it.. should have still been attached to the balloon. I will not go some place and give them business when the manager there clearly does not care about his customers and where the employees are all so down and out and do not act like they want to be there and steal and lie.. no thanks!!! Please do the community a favor by NOT supporting this business. there are plenty of other places to eat.
(1)
Rob M.
What a surprise! From a dive to a gem! Zukey Lake has been around for generations and the latest rebuild has been enhanced by a real chef/cook. We come often for lunch and the food is really great bar food+. We've never been disappointed. Soup, burgers, pizza, fish, lunch, brunch all are very good and worth the price every day. Further it is huge, with a great view of the lake through big windows and a rooftop joint for summer. And it's on the Hamburg to who knows where bike/hike trail! Go soon!
(4)
J C.
Awesome pizza. Awesome fried chicken. Awesome fish and chips. Comfortable atmosphere and nice waitstaff. I'm super into it.
(5)
Amy B.
My husband and I have been to Zukey Lake Tavern a number of times, and the food has been terrific. One of our favorite times to visit is the Sunday breakfast buffet, the on-demand omelet station is a nice touch to waffles, bacon, eggs, and several cereals. I highly recommend the osso bucco, the lake perch, and the crab cakes. On Wednesdays with the order of a large pizza you get a free Zukey Lake tee shirt. If you travel, take your picture at the far away locale and the next time you're at the tavern, have them hang your picture on the "wall of fame.' We have only experienced poor service one time that we have visited. The server was out of sorts, neglected our table, and then gave us the wrong bill. Luckily this was the exception and not the rule. Looking forward to the rooftop deck opening up this summer.
(4)
Jerry D.
Okay, I've been here many times and have tried many of the menu items so I feel as I can now write a legitimate review... First off, their known for their pizza; however, AVOID the buffet as this is NOT a true representation of the quality of their pizza; actually the buffet pizza is awful... That said, you've gotta try a piping hot pizza to you're table; it's actually pretty darn good. In addition, the French Dip sandwich is excellent as is the chicken finger appetizer. Much of their food is typical bar food; however, the overall atmosphere doesn't make you feel like your in a bar. The waitresses are always warm and friendly and ready to serve... This is a Hamburg staple that I am proud to write a review for, and we'll be back time and time again... Now, I only wish more of the local restaurants could serve better food as we love supporting local businesses...
(4)
Jen D.
We live near Zukey and I find the food hit or miss, but consitant. The Pizza is always good. The "crab cakes" are lacking crab and are as thin as pancakes. If you order other things along with a pizza it must sit in the window while the pizza cooks so it can all come out at once. So, if you did not get the pizza your order suffers. For example I got a salad once and was hot when it was brought out. The staff took it off my bill but it was not worth eating at that point. The service is always good and the staff is well trained and keeps up on drinks and requests. When we go with several small children we are almost always seated in the old part of the restraunt in the back. Loads of tv's and a great place to enjoy a game. Music is great on the weekend.
(3)
Tracy W.
Meh. Sucks that there's not much else in the area. It's convenient because it's on the water - and that's about the only good thing about it. Service is usually inexperienced and food is blah and overpriced.
(2)
Stacy P.
Excellent casual dining experience! No other place like it on the chain of lakes!
(5)
Rick G.
Came based on Yelp reviews. Place is very popular but large enough to handle the crowd. I had the lake perch and it was excellant. Sauteed and not over cooked. Yea, no frying......the burger is pretty plain-jane. The pizza was ok. For the area, this is one of the better places.
(3)
Kate W.
The best thing about Zukey Lake Tavern is that you can get there via boat. Booze cruise to a bar, grab some pub food, pick up a t-shirt to remeber it by. T-shirts are free on Wednesdays if you order a large pizza, and the pizza is pretty good. There's always fun to be had at Zukey Lake Tavern!
(3)
Erik H.
My father, girlfriend and I usually go to Zukey at least once every other week, if not every week. We are huge fans of the chicken nachos and the garlic bread sticks. The pizza is also good but it does have kind of a sweet sauce which may not be everyones cup of tea. The wet burrito is also very good.
(4)
Adam M.
This is a cool bar. they have my favorite beer tom boy red on tap, it has one of the best stages for a band i have seen in a bar. its not a sports bar but you will always see a Detroit sport game on the tv so if you want good live music good beer and friendly bartenders this your place
(4)
Alicia W.
Food inconsistent. Irresponsible management after I fell with my year-one-old on the slippery walkway. AWFUL. I have had nothing but problems there. I revisited after a year for their Santa dinner around Christmas. It was very busy and I waited for an hour and a half to have my kids see Santa. Ofcourse, my table was FINALLY ready when we got to the front of the line. When we were sat there were only 3 seats, not 5 for us to all sit. Therefore, we were standing in the aisleway. My now two-year old threw himself on the floor like two-year-olds do. Apparently, we did not get him up fast enough for the waiter. The waiter who was trying to get by called my husband an "F@#$ing idiot" loudly. I confronted management immediately. I was HORRIFIED. I, as former waitress, have never heard of a waitperson being so offensive. The manager had the waiter apologize but , again, there was no offers for any compensation. NEVER, EVER will I go there again. Terrible.
(1)
Gabriele N.
I've been going to this place since I was a kid. Recently, I stopped in for the night before Thanksgiving. This place is as much or more a restaurant than it is a bar, especially after the expansion (except when the rooftop is open in the summer). There is a reason this place is a Livingston County staple...good food at a decent price. It's pretty standard bar fare, so if you're looking for organic or gluten-free, go elsewhere. Burgers, salad, soup, and their truly excellent pizza are the kinds of food you can have here, and they're all very good. I've never had poor service here in all of the years I've come here, but anything above and beyond acceptable tends to depend on who you've got. They have a very extensive beer and spirit selection, of course, and you can order appetizers at the bar...on my most recent visit, my friend and I split the breadsticks, which were warm, delicious, plentiful, and came with both ranch and pizza sauce for dipping. They did have a live band playing, which neither my friend or I enjoyed, it made the atmosphere much too loud and the band wasn't very good. This is a relatively recent addition, and in my opinion, not a good one. The real beauty of this place is in the summer. They are located right on Zukey Lake on the Huron River Chain of Lakes, and they have long docks at which you can park your boat to come on in. They also have a rooftop bar, open when the weather permits, that lets you look out on the water as you sip your drink and scarf some food (it's a limited menu, but the delicious pizza is on there). Any season though, this is definitely the place to stop for food and drinks in the Pinckney area.
(4)
Becki B.
The pizza here is great. Although it is a fun bar later in the night, it's a great place to bring your family for a meal earlier in the day. The service is friendly, and there's lots of room and seldom a wait. Zukey Lake Tavern has been around since 1977 (with a few years under another name). They pride themselves on their good food at reasonable prices - so far, so good!
(4)
Anne M.
Amazing view and cool roof top. Hated the fact that it was cash only given I never carry cash . Food was just ok, service was slow and no manager was noticeable. We were looking for someone because our silverware was dirty and our food was almost cold by the time we found someone to get us new silverware.
(1)
Pierre G.
We took all our grand kids and their spouses (16) to Zukey Lake as part of the annual trek up the chain of lakes. I was disappointed with the cleanliness of the restrooms and the hallways leading to the restrooms (food on the floor) . I have a feeling that management is not paying attention to the details. If the restrooms need attention, what about the kitchen and food handlers? Are the dishes being cleaned? We have visited Zukey on a number of occasions since 1980 - I am hesitant to return!
(2)
Audrey W.
Great spot for the summer. Huge outdoor deck overlooking Zukey Lake. The interior is really big, there's never a wait and the service is always good. The menu is typical bar food, but still tasty. They also have a great Sunday brunch that's only $7.95 and is buffet style.
(4)
Holly R.
Visited Zukey Lake Tavern over the holiday weekend for the first time...Great place!! Had lunch on the roof deck...our waiter Brandon was the best!! I would highly recommend riding the bikes out there...good people watching, great food, very friendly staff!!
(4)
Dani A.
Zukey Lake is great! They have the best pizza around hands down and are always packed. The salad pizza is a must. They are right on the lake and have a dock for boats to come right up and dine or get carry out. The inside is newly remodeled and it looks great. When the weather is nice they have a rooftop that is open and a great place to hang out. They also have 3 private rooms for rent and are great for parties. Make sure to pick up a tshirt while you are there too!
(4)
Colin T.
Zukey Lake Tavern is famous for its t-shirts that have been photographed around the world. It has pizza, beer and bar food, but check out its Sunday Brunch complete with omelette bar, french toast, bacon, sauasage, hash browns and much more. **Parents - kids eat free.
(4)
Peggy F.
Like I said, the beer is cold! That's about it for me! Oh wait... nice view!
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Music : Live Good For Dancing : No Alcohol : Full Bar Happy Hour : Yes Best Nights : Wed, Fri, Sat Coat Check : No Smoking : No Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Dogs Allowed : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
M F.
It's okay. Just okay. It used to be great. But there's way better food in the area. This week I had salmon special with pasta. It was good salmon with frozen veggies all over it. The pizza & breadsticks are good. If you go stick to bar food.
(2)Joe J.
Holy hugeness! This was my first visit after moving away nine years ago. It's so big now. Service was fast and friendly and the food was great. Our group finished off a large pepperoni pizza and ordered a bbq chicken pizza and that quickly disappeared. It was a Thursday night and the place was packed as it is every night. Zukey Lake Tavern is a local landmark. Everybody knows where it is and everybody loves it.
(5)Darrick M.
Always great food and service. We frequent this place very often. Always great food and service. We frequent this place very often.
(5)Kelli P.
We eat at Zukey often. He likes the rooftop seating, but their food downstairs is so much tastier. Fried raviolis are my usual. I'm addicted. If you must eat upstairs, I would suggest ordering a salad. Their burgers, though I do not partake in the flesh consumption of cows, seem dry. Most things on their rooftop menu are weak, including the seafood/sausage dip. Ack. What the upper level does have to offer is an amazing view and gentle breeze on a warm night. Either seating location (upstairs or down) has somewhat slow service, so be sure to make time for this dining experience to avoid frustration. By the way, upstairs requires cash payment. Yes, another reason to march your tush back down the ramp to the home of deliciousness (1st floor).
(4)Janelle C.
Been to Zukey several times, my kids always want to go there, we went one weekend night and listened to so real good live music. We took my brother in law there and he said afterwards "that was the best salad I have ever had" I would recommend it to anyone, good variety of both food & drinks..
(5)Kevin T.
Here on a Sunday morning with a big group and signed up for Zukey's Sunday Breakfast Buffet. Definitely not an 'elegant' brunch (more resembles breakfast at a camping lodge), but delivers a respectable offering and all at $7.95 (adults) & $3.95 (kids 6-12). Strewn alongside the perimeter of the huge bar area are two identical areas stocked with french toast (very good), pancakes, bacon, sausage, fresh sliced ham, biscuits/sausage gravy and and interesting selection of breakfast pizza that more resembles quiche. My favorite is the omelet station with cooked to order omelets (or eggs). Coffee is great. Juices included as well. Bloody Marys are a couple bucks off, but I'll save that for another visit. All in all...a great breakfast at a fun, upbeat & most friendly locale.
(3)Valarie M.
We just purchased a home in the area and knew we needed to check out the local hotspot. Since then we have been back multiple times. The atmosphere is that of your typical small town bar/grill with sports games going, Keno rolling and beer flowing. The walls are plastered in cool pictures and knick knacks that have more than likely been acquired over the years, as well as a huge wall full of t-shirts and other Zukey Lake memorabilia available to purchase. My favorite feature is the enormous windows spanning the length of the far wall that overlook the lake. The food has not disappointing but not mind blowing either. Portions are overly generous. However it would be nice to see something different on the menu than your traditional bar food. it's always refreshing to see new twists on a menu. I've had their nachos, burgers and pizza and all tasted just as guilty as it felt. my favorite so far though is their steak chili. Huge chunks of steak mixed in with beans and burger and deliciousness! Only way you're going to find chili tasting this good is by doing it homemade style which is what I am certain they are doing here. They also do Sunday breakfast with an omelet station. I have not had the opportunity to try it out but I am excited to find the time for a Sunday breakfast at Zukey Lake Tavern. Their waitstaff is friendly and knowledgeable and efficient as well. I am really looking forward to experiencing the place in the warmer months because they have a top level open air bar that faces the lake. I'm guessing it's the perfect place to drop by after a day on the water. All in all it's a great local joint to grab a bite with family or hang out in the evening with good friends and cold drinks. This will be a place we will frequent for many years to come.
(4)Ian T.
We love Zukey Lake, they have great food, and even better Pizza. Our family goes quite often, and has for years. The building has really changed over the years, it's gotten nicer, and bigger with each change. The staff is excellent, and the bartenders really fly. Parking is always interesting, but it's a great place to come if you ride, they have a bike section up front. Now let me be clear, this is a family joint, and a nice one. However it still is cool for everyone even bikers, with great music guests, a killer lake front property, and a wonderful upper patio deck.
(5)Daron D.
This is another classic toss up between 4 and 5 stars. Came here on a simple night out and wanted to try something different. I decided to go with the rooftop patio (for which they only accept cash). The view of the lake from the rooftop is one if, if not the best view in the area. For beer they have 6 on tap and run $4-$5. They also have a tropical drink menu, at which all drinks are $6( I had a Mai tai and two others, all three were great and strong). As for food, they have a nice size menu, but by then being on the roof, they do not serve wings, pasta, or fries (which wasn't pleasant for me because those are my three favorite things to have at restaurants). So for me I had/try three things: Italian Sausage ( good size, not large as they advertise it, but good nonetheless), spinach and artichoke dip (dip was really good, chips were thin), and their pizza (good, not great. Notice that this was majority of people choice of food here). Overall this is a really really good place with good food and drinks. When you add on the fact of the rooftop lake view, now you got something special.
(5)Maizey T.
We stopped in for dinner after the youth baseball tournament in Hamburg. The staff was super friendly, the owner even stopped by to see how our team placed at the tournament. The food was good. I had a taco salad that was yummy! But it was lacking in tortilla chips by the time the waitresses checked back in so I could ask for more chips everyone was finishing up. We would have loved to eat on the lakeside outdoor deck but they only accept cash on the deck. We sat inside where they would accept credit cards. The setting is a sports bar lots of TVs to watch. Spacious and lots of seating inside. I would definitely go back but would recommend waitstaff checkin more at the table after the meal is served.
(4)Ryan D.
Worst restaurant in the area terrible service and terrible foo. I am never going to come here again. I don't see what the big hype is its a restaurant on the lake. We have tried this place three times and we have had a bad experience each time we have come here.
(1)Candice E.
We had dinner here tonight, been wanting to try for years. Not impressed at all! As soon as we sat down I order a kids pizza for my niece. 25 minutes later it came out. The rest of the service was slow too. The food is nothing spectacular. We've had better at most places. They so have a great view of the lake and a fabulous deck upstairs. The upstairs menu is very limited and they only take cash up there though. We won't be back.
(2)Erin C.
I went into Zukey Lake being really optimistic and excited for something new. Unfortunately, I was very disappointed. When I first got there, we had to wait 15 minutes before we were even asked for our drink order. I had to go up and ask the hostess to get our waiter for us. Then we ordered drinks and an appetizer. Except our drinks came 10 minutes later and our appetizer was never brought to us. Our main entrees eventually came out, I ordered the much talked about Wet Burrito. Absolutely nothing special about it. Pretty sure it was just came from a thawed frozen package and then put on a pan to heat up. Taco Bell equivalent. NOT worth it. My husband ordered the steak, came out practically moo-ing, way too rare. Overall, this place was way too over exaggerated about its "greatness" and I was not impressed. Will not be back again.
(1)Christina M.
I come all the way from Texas for the Osso Bucco, and I swear it gets better every time! They have great prices, great waiters and an overall great atmosphere! I will definitely be back for the Osso Bucco as soon as I'm back in Michigan
(5)JonNDebby P.
One star is for the great service, and one star is for the fun bar atmosphere and good beer on tap. The lack of any other stars is for the mediocre food. My husband and I both ordered from the "specials" menu. I think the items on the "specials" menu were on "special" because the Sysco salesperson needed to unload them quickly. The turkey pot pie came straight from the freezer in a disposable aluminum tray reheated in the oven. A real cook would have a hard time finding enough bags of salt to reach the 3000 mg of sodium that was apparently in each serving. My husband's macaroni and cheese dish tasted better, like a more interesting box of Kraft Macaroni and Cheese (way less salty than the pot pie). The kitchen may have mixed some milk or water into a box of powder to create that culinary masterpiece. The side salad was a bunch of iceberg lettuce with three cucumber slices, three grape tomatoes, and four bag croutons accompanied by ordinary jar dressing. Amazingly enough, I found one lonely piece of spinach in my salad. Where did that come from? I would come back for a drink but will eat beforehand.
(2)Amber B.
This place was nasty. It smells musty and like rancid cooking grease. The iced tea I had tasted like it was from a mix, the coffee was bad too. My chicken club sandwich was 'char-grilled and tasted like gas. My boyfriend's southwest burger ordered medium came rare, but he still asked for mayo because it tasted dry. I noticed that the coleslaw that came with both of our meals looked very old with withered browning cabbage bits. Those came in little plastic containers with lids. I bet they had been sitting around for a week, gross! I left my sandwich and coleslaw and munched on the fries and pickle wedge while my boyfriend continued to eat his burger. This is the worst part: half way through his burger he announced that the salsa on his s.w. burger was rancid! Uggh!!! We live 3 minutes away, but we will NEVER come here again. My advice: If your want to have a meal, STAY AWAY FROM ZUCKY LAKE TAVERN!!! I know there aren't many choices in the area, but for food Mimi's Diner is way better and so is Boogie-woogie BBQ.
(1)Jo J.
I would eat eat my own feces before eating Zukey Lake's food. Completely over rated. The only thing you can order that tastes delicious is their beer.
(1)Jason F.
We rowed into this place during a trek on the Huron. The food was decent at best, the server was awesome... she even put up with my friend calling her "Boobs McGee." We were hammered drunk rowing into this place. My only, biggest complaint is their ridiculous to-go beer price. $16 for a 12 pack is unreasonable. Think about the kayakers. Otherwise, keep it real.
(3)Walter K.
Overall ambience is great but I made a bad choice for dinner -- the lake perch was soaked in a buttery sauce and mushy. I'm used to lake perch being light and even a little crispy, but this was heavy and not very good. I always finish everything -- but this was not edible in my opinion and I didn't finish it. My partner had a gluten-free pizza and and she was happy with it. Service was good and attentive.
(2)Melissa J.
Tried out the breakfast buffet this morning and was very pleased!! We hit up Big Boy for their all you can eat breakfast buffet but this is a definite step up at a cheaper price. Mimosas are on special during the buffet which is a nice weekend splurge :)
(5)Jen S.
Been wanting to try for a while. This past weekend we took a drive out to Pinckney to try it. We sat on the outside deck. I hoped it was closer to the water and it is not. This had a limited menu. With all burgers you could only get chips, potato salad or beans. No fries allowed on the deck. I ordered a burger. When you order a burger, I think maybe most people expect it to come with toppings. I got mine with literally just a burger in between 2 buns. Nothing else. I asked the waitress If i could have some toppings and she said "Umm..there should be something on there...lettuce tomatoes and onions..". So she brought me a plate of toppings. The burger wasn't very impressive. Their beer lineup is pretty good. The service was just "ok". She never came over to ask if we needed anything or fill up drinks, we had to wave her down. But since they think its more a bar atmosphere, that may be fine. I also wish they had some music playing. I wasn't really impressed and don't know if we would return.
(3)Gordon T.
Arguably the best pizza in town, and they always have the Tigers / Pistons / Red Wings on. Weekday buffet is pretty legit, and the occasional live music keeps things interesting. Can't wait for the upstairs patio to open up this summer. I'd give it a thousand stars if I could, but the limit is five.
(5)Jason S.
Place not prepared for the crowd today. Burgers that we asked to be well were medium at best.......... Best part was the potato skins. At least they were filling. Wasn't impressed. The pizza others got looked great though
(2)Ray H.
Make sure if you get a carry out they get your order right. Once again I ordered two salads with no onions and once again they screwed it up. How hard can it be? I generally really like their food and atmosphere but this is the third time it has happened.
(1)Suzanne S.
We used to frequent this restaurant/bar way back in 1984/85! It used to be a small "dive" on Zukey Lake and they had always been known for having the best tasting "wet burrito". It Still stands today and it's been all remodeled !!! It's beautiful inside! We visited for the first time since I moved away in 1992, just the other day!~ The service was awesome and everyone was really nice to us. The restaurant was clean and airy and even the restrooms were not bad at all! I ended up trying the Wet Burrito once more after all of these years! It was just as good, if not better than I remembered it to be. It was smothered in cheese with ground beef and the sauce was excellent and it was very hot and yummy! My husband ended up getting the exact same thing! I thought he was going to try something different, but he decided to try the famous wet burrito that I'd been talking about all of these years! We had hoped that since it was a beautiful and sunny day maybe we could sit up on the 2nd story patio up on the roof! You can sit up there after May 5th they told us and you can see the lake and watch the tubers and boaters etc!! It really makes you feel like you are on vacation when you come to Zukey Lake and the food is good too!
(5)Miriam S.
It is important to visit a place more than once or twice to really understand what it has to offer. Report card has changed: view of the lake (upstairs, when it is open) = A+ , prompt service =B+, food...now...this is unfortunate, it is the very first time I suffered food poisoning...not pleasant and downright painful..what could have been the matter with a BBQ pizza that seemed so delectable? No matter, we returned after the unfortunate experience cajoled by the lure of the water.....spareribs... which I had the wisdom of sharing with my husband. They were cold, and the baked beans had that coating that we all recognize as food that has been sitting around for a while. The bread was, let see.....let's be honest.....stale. Gazpacho was good.So ..food : D+....We like the place, love the water view, hope for food improvement. They deserve it.
(3)Mike R.
Nice place, good food , lots of beers to choose from. It is a great place to end up when you're on the chain of lakes.
(3)Jennifer S.
We came here with a bunch of friends for the Sunday morning brunch. $7.95 breakfast buffet and kids under 5 are free (except for their juice/milk)! Can't say too much about the service since it was a buffet, but our plates got cleared in a timely manner and our drinks were always fresh. The food itself was alright, nothing special. There was lots of greasy, heart attack food, bacon, potatoes, french toast, biscuits and gravy, breakfast pizza. There were also eggs but I can't bring myself to eat those bulk made eggs sitting under the heating lamps. There were some pastries and cold cereal there as well. The one shining light of the breakfast was a) the alcohol, and b) there was an omelette station in the back that didn't have egg whites but was able to do eggbeaters. Some healthy oasis in the desert!
(3)James M.
Great food and also good staff
(5)Annette J.
One of the best views + beers in the area! A lovely bar/patio overlooking Zukey Lake. What could be better on a warm summer night? Not much! (Just bring the bug spray). Admittedly the food isn't the best I've ever had but this isn't a gourmet restaurant. Now, I've only eaten in the bar/patio portion upstairs which doesn't have the full menu but what I've had has been a'ight. Actually, the pizza here is quite good. A thick, almost garlic bread-y like crust topped with your choice of toppings or a few pre-designed pies. In particular I like the Hawaiian which is topped with mozzarella, cheddar, chunks of ham and pineapple and crumbled bacon. Ain't nothin' wrong with that! And they're pretty generous! The large pie is the equivalent to an XL in most places. Loads to take home as leftovers or plenty to share if you're with a big group. I've also partaken in the chips and nacho cheese which is basically your standard movie theatre type nacho cheese and tri-colored chips. The house side salad again isn't anything fancy, just some iceberg lettuce with some various veggies atop and croutons. Fresh for what it is but nothing earth shattering. The plates are all styrofoam and the silverware is plastic and comes in those presealed packages you get with your takeout. Not a bad thing since this place is so casual but just a heads up in case you're looking for something a little fancier. The servers here are incredibly nice. Mostly gals who have good attitudes and are helpful and friendly. The beer list is mostly domestic stuff like Bud, Miller, etc. but they do have Oberon on the menu should you want a nice summery beverage made in Michigan. Also the prices for food and booze are not too bad. Overall I love Zukey Lake Tavern! It's a great place to spend a summer evening with a group of friends drinking cheap beers and shooting the 'ish as the sun goes down. Doesn't that sound amazing?
(4)Aaron S.
We went there late February for their Sunday breakfast buffet. The buffet was standard and had every breakfast item that you would expect. They have a roof top bar that looks like it'd be a fun time during the summer months. We look forward to a return trip during warmer weather to check out the roof top patio. I'll report back... Don't forget to buy yourself a T-shirt.
(4)Clare G.
Enjoyed sitting outside on the upper patio with a table in the corner away from the loud Friday night crowd. Shrimp gazpacho was too spicy. Burgers look really good here. Comfortable local place. Should have worn my jean cut offs and floral shirt. Cash only payment.
(3)Chris L.
Are you kidding me? Yeah there is a patio that you can kinda sorta see the lake if you get a good seat. That's about the only good thing I have to say. The goal for the day was simple. Drive somewhere to get some drinks and some grub outside on a sunny spring evening and stare at a lake. Get to the place and the crowd is like the Black Finn of the West side boonies. Nearly everyone is 20 something dbag couples with already impossibly burnt brown tans for Spring and skanky/Ed Hardy apparel. The walk from the parking lot to the bar was so rife with aftershave and perfume I couldn't believe I was still outside. OK not my scene but I'm just here for a bit and my goals are simple so I can tone down my curmudgeonly observations and chill right? No. 2 drinks and one bite of a Hamburger is all it took. Let me 'splain. I ordered a Mojito and some grub and my companion ordered a Margarita and a burger. These were the worse two drinks for the most amount of money I have drank. I'm not an elitist ass, you want to give me Slurpee style alcoholic drinks in a plastic cup for a decent price I'll lap them up happily. But I expect better for $8. Both our drinks came in tiny plastic cups. So much for a salt rimmed margarita then I guess. Both our drinks were rammed to the absolute top with ice. The margarita had so little alcohol I would have let a 2 year old drink it. It tasted terrible and diluted too like lime concentrate splashed in a cup of icewater. My mojito was also toddler safe from an alcohol standpoint but with the added bonus of moldy black mint leaves. I think they got the terms mouldering and muddling confused perhaps? My drink was so shitty and the food at surrounding tables so bad looking I cancelled my food order right away. Plates at your local Denny's look better than what was on most tables here. My friend kept her burger and when it arrived it was a sad over cooked lump of boring that only got one bite out of it before we bailed and started looking for another place. This place just feeds on it's own momentum like some Rube Goldbergian perpetual motion machine. Food-wise there is no reason to go here and the views of the lake are not really even that good the way the tables are set up. The t-shirts are weapons grade hype. Don't fall for it. I wound up after a short drive at the Whitmore Lake Tavern and had a great meal and drinks that fulfilled our simple goal of outside+grub+drinks+view of water that Zukey so miserably failed at.
(1)Al W.
I had always heard how great this place was & I have seen the shirts all over so I decided to try it. I had a few friends with me & we all had different things. I had the salad pizza which was pretty good. It was different. But as far as my friends food went, it was just average at best, nothing special, definitely wasn't worth the drive or the wait. I think if Pinckney had more dining choices this place wouldn't get as much business as it does.
(2)miho L.
What a great place to land on a nice spring, summer or fall afternoon/evening for a bite to eat and a short "unwind". No, it's not your top-of-the-line bon apettit fare or service. It's a lovely rooftop perch (or enclosed dining room) and view of Zukey Lake that happens to serve food. As for the crowd, completely unpredictable. Could be any combination of lake people, bikers passing through or families out for a drive. Nothing wrong with the food. Heck, how bad can a bar burger be? Think about it. Pizza is good. The menu is just diverse enough but it's the setting, the ambiance of the lake view that keeps people coming back. If you're out on a sunny afternoon drive with your someone special and you're in the neighborhood, drop in. It'll be a nice complement to your day.
(3)Melissa P.
I LOVE Zukey Lake! It's especially nice now that it's all nonsmoking. All the food is great, but check out the lobster quesadilla and the lobster bisque! They make a great burger, too. The beer selection is always good and they poor a decent cocktail. It's also very comfortable for people with kids. It doesn't read just "bar." The roof deck is great in the summer, but make sure you go ready to pay. They don't run tabs on the deck - cash is suggested. Zukey Lake feels comfortable all the time. The servers are super helpful and the experience is always fun.
(5)Spring S.
I wish I can give this place 0 stars to be honest. 1: the service was not so great, she was very unfriendly, as if she didnt want to be there or be bothered by anyone and only one person in our party asked for a refill on pop one time. The pop was disgusting, all flat and tasteless and out of all the 6 adults in our group, they all said the same. pop was not so great. The food most of us got was pretty good except the plate we ordered for our 1 yr old. his fries tasted like they were sitting there for a day or 2 and then served to him.. we didnt let him eat any more after we tasted how crappy they were. Now on to the big reason I have issues with this place... This may sound bit silly to some and think I am griping over something small.. yes it is small but in the end its the principle of it and the whole thing is just wrong!. here is the story. We went to eat lunch there for my friends mothers birthday and my husband and I brought her a balloon with chocolate tied securely to the end of it. We left and got into the parking lot and realized the balloon was left so we went right back for it. Just minutes after leaving and going right back in they brought back the balloon but the chocolate was missing at the end of the balloon, they CLAIMED the bus person threw it away.. um yeah right.. so I went back out to the parking lot, got in the car and left feeling bit un easy about the situation because I thought it was a bit fishy that the chocolate would get tossed but not the balloon... why would someone un tie chocolate from a balloon and toss it? right after customers leave... mind you we were still in parking lot. So anyway I called the manager from outside because I am not one for making scenes or confrontation.. manager thought it was a whole laughing joke and was far from helpful although he didnt believe me until he checked his video.. turned out the chocolate was stolen and EATEN in that short of time by the waitress of our table. she claimed to the manager she thought it was a tip... it obviously was not left as a tip because it was tied to a happy birthday balloon which clearly did not belong to her! AND the fact that when we went back in for the balloon right after they LIED to us saying it was thrown away but the girls telling us that were very rude about it. NO sorry what so ever from the manager. This is not a good way to do business.. I dont care if it was a small thing they stole and lied about.. it is the principle of the matter and should not have been done!!! I will make sure to spread the word of this place.. they do not deserve business. ride employess.. rude manager. all together not a good way to do business.. the manager could have at least offered an apology but instead I was laughed at. I am not one to complain much but when someone steals something then lies about it that is just wrong no matter what it was. I can understand if we left for hrs and they ate it.. fine but we just left and went right back in for it.. should have still been attached to the balloon. I will not go some place and give them business when the manager there clearly does not care about his customers and where the employees are all so down and out and do not act like they want to be there and steal and lie.. no thanks!!! Please do the community a favor by NOT supporting this business. there are plenty of other places to eat.
(1)Rob M.
What a surprise! From a dive to a gem! Zukey Lake has been around for generations and the latest rebuild has been enhanced by a real chef/cook. We come often for lunch and the food is really great bar food+. We've never been disappointed. Soup, burgers, pizza, fish, lunch, brunch all are very good and worth the price every day. Further it is huge, with a great view of the lake through big windows and a rooftop joint for summer. And it's on the Hamburg to who knows where bike/hike trail! Go soon!
(4)J C.
Awesome pizza. Awesome fried chicken. Awesome fish and chips. Comfortable atmosphere and nice waitstaff. I'm super into it.
(5)Amy B.
My husband and I have been to Zukey Lake Tavern a number of times, and the food has been terrific. One of our favorite times to visit is the Sunday breakfast buffet, the on-demand omelet station is a nice touch to waffles, bacon, eggs, and several cereals. I highly recommend the osso bucco, the lake perch, and the crab cakes. On Wednesdays with the order of a large pizza you get a free Zukey Lake tee shirt. If you travel, take your picture at the far away locale and the next time you're at the tavern, have them hang your picture on the "wall of fame.' We have only experienced poor service one time that we have visited. The server was out of sorts, neglected our table, and then gave us the wrong bill. Luckily this was the exception and not the rule. Looking forward to the rooftop deck opening up this summer.
(4)Jerry D.
Okay, I've been here many times and have tried many of the menu items so I feel as I can now write a legitimate review... First off, their known for their pizza; however, AVOID the buffet as this is NOT a true representation of the quality of their pizza; actually the buffet pizza is awful... That said, you've gotta try a piping hot pizza to you're table; it's actually pretty darn good. In addition, the French Dip sandwich is excellent as is the chicken finger appetizer. Much of their food is typical bar food; however, the overall atmosphere doesn't make you feel like your in a bar. The waitresses are always warm and friendly and ready to serve... This is a Hamburg staple that I am proud to write a review for, and we'll be back time and time again... Now, I only wish more of the local restaurants could serve better food as we love supporting local businesses...
(4)Jen D.
We live near Zukey and I find the food hit or miss, but consitant. The Pizza is always good. The "crab cakes" are lacking crab and are as thin as pancakes. If you order other things along with a pizza it must sit in the window while the pizza cooks so it can all come out at once. So, if you did not get the pizza your order suffers. For example I got a salad once and was hot when it was brought out. The staff took it off my bill but it was not worth eating at that point. The service is always good and the staff is well trained and keeps up on drinks and requests. When we go with several small children we are almost always seated in the old part of the restraunt in the back. Loads of tv's and a great place to enjoy a game. Music is great on the weekend.
(3)Tracy W.
Meh. Sucks that there's not much else in the area. It's convenient because it's on the water - and that's about the only good thing about it. Service is usually inexperienced and food is blah and overpriced.
(2)Stacy P.
Excellent casual dining experience! No other place like it on the chain of lakes!
(5)Rick G.
Came based on Yelp reviews. Place is very popular but large enough to handle the crowd. I had the lake perch and it was excellant. Sauteed and not over cooked. Yea, no frying......the burger is pretty plain-jane. The pizza was ok. For the area, this is one of the better places.
(3)Kate W.
The best thing about Zukey Lake Tavern is that you can get there via boat. Booze cruise to a bar, grab some pub food, pick up a t-shirt to remeber it by. T-shirts are free on Wednesdays if you order a large pizza, and the pizza is pretty good. There's always fun to be had at Zukey Lake Tavern!
(3)Erik H.
My father, girlfriend and I usually go to Zukey at least once every other week, if not every week. We are huge fans of the chicken nachos and the garlic bread sticks. The pizza is also good but it does have kind of a sweet sauce which may not be everyones cup of tea. The wet burrito is also very good.
(4)Adam M.
This is a cool bar. they have my favorite beer tom boy red on tap, it has one of the best stages for a band i have seen in a bar. its not a sports bar but you will always see a Detroit sport game on the tv so if you want good live music good beer and friendly bartenders this your place
(4)Alicia W.
Food inconsistent. Irresponsible management after I fell with my year-one-old on the slippery walkway. AWFUL. I have had nothing but problems there. I revisited after a year for their Santa dinner around Christmas. It was very busy and I waited for an hour and a half to have my kids see Santa. Ofcourse, my table was FINALLY ready when we got to the front of the line. When we were sat there were only 3 seats, not 5 for us to all sit. Therefore, we were standing in the aisleway. My now two-year old threw himself on the floor like two-year-olds do. Apparently, we did not get him up fast enough for the waiter. The waiter who was trying to get by called my husband an "F@#$ing idiot" loudly. I confronted management immediately. I was HORRIFIED. I, as former waitress, have never heard of a waitperson being so offensive. The manager had the waiter apologize but , again, there was no offers for any compensation. NEVER, EVER will I go there again. Terrible.
(1)Gabriele N.
I've been going to this place since I was a kid. Recently, I stopped in for the night before Thanksgiving. This place is as much or more a restaurant than it is a bar, especially after the expansion (except when the rooftop is open in the summer). There is a reason this place is a Livingston County staple...good food at a decent price. It's pretty standard bar fare, so if you're looking for organic or gluten-free, go elsewhere. Burgers, salad, soup, and their truly excellent pizza are the kinds of food you can have here, and they're all very good. I've never had poor service here in all of the years I've come here, but anything above and beyond acceptable tends to depend on who you've got. They have a very extensive beer and spirit selection, of course, and you can order appetizers at the bar...on my most recent visit, my friend and I split the breadsticks, which were warm, delicious, plentiful, and came with both ranch and pizza sauce for dipping. They did have a live band playing, which neither my friend or I enjoyed, it made the atmosphere much too loud and the band wasn't very good. This is a relatively recent addition, and in my opinion, not a good one. The real beauty of this place is in the summer. They are located right on Zukey Lake on the Huron River Chain of Lakes, and they have long docks at which you can park your boat to come on in. They also have a rooftop bar, open when the weather permits, that lets you look out on the water as you sip your drink and scarf some food (it's a limited menu, but the delicious pizza is on there). Any season though, this is definitely the place to stop for food and drinks in the Pinckney area.
(4)Becki B.
The pizza here is great. Although it is a fun bar later in the night, it's a great place to bring your family for a meal earlier in the day. The service is friendly, and there's lots of room and seldom a wait. Zukey Lake Tavern has been around since 1977 (with a few years under another name). They pride themselves on their good food at reasonable prices - so far, so good!
(4)Anne M.
Amazing view and cool roof top. Hated the fact that it was cash only given I never carry cash . Food was just ok, service was slow and no manager was noticeable. We were looking for someone because our silverware was dirty and our food was almost cold by the time we found someone to get us new silverware.
(1)Pierre G.
We took all our grand kids and their spouses (16) to Zukey Lake as part of the annual trek up the chain of lakes. I was disappointed with the cleanliness of the restrooms and the hallways leading to the restrooms (food on the floor) . I have a feeling that management is not paying attention to the details. If the restrooms need attention, what about the kitchen and food handlers? Are the dishes being cleaned? We have visited Zukey on a number of occasions since 1980 - I am hesitant to return!
(2)Audrey W.
Great spot for the summer. Huge outdoor deck overlooking Zukey Lake. The interior is really big, there's never a wait and the service is always good. The menu is typical bar food, but still tasty. They also have a great Sunday brunch that's only $7.95 and is buffet style.
(4)Holly R.
Visited Zukey Lake Tavern over the holiday weekend for the first time...Great place!! Had lunch on the roof deck...our waiter Brandon was the best!! I would highly recommend riding the bikes out there...good people watching, great food, very friendly staff!!
(4)Dani A.
Zukey Lake is great! They have the best pizza around hands down and are always packed. The salad pizza is a must. They are right on the lake and have a dock for boats to come right up and dine or get carry out. The inside is newly remodeled and it looks great. When the weather is nice they have a rooftop that is open and a great place to hang out. They also have 3 private rooms for rent and are great for parties. Make sure to pick up a tshirt while you are there too!
(4)Colin T.
Zukey Lake Tavern is famous for its t-shirts that have been photographed around the world. It has pizza, beer and bar food, but check out its Sunday Brunch complete with omelette bar, french toast, bacon, sauasage, hash browns and much more. **Parents - kids eat free.
(4)Peggy F.
Like I said, the beer is cold! That's about it for me! Oh wait... nice view!
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