Rebecca C.

We went to Karl's Cabin a few nights ago. I've wanted to eat here for a long time. Here's the breakdown: The good: I liked the decor; the inside, and outside, looks like a log cabin. The dining room is spacious and airy; it appeared that the room was divided into two - a shower side, and a regular dining side. We sat on the regular dining side. Our waitress was prompt and personable. She handled our party of 6 with no problems. I ordered the smokehouse stacked sandwich, which had smoked turkey, ham, Gouda, spicy mayo, lettuce and tomato. It was delicious, and filling; I ate half of my sandwich for dinner, and the other half for lunch today. I also got a side of the ale and onion soup. The soup tasted much like a good french onion; it was topped with Swiss cheese instead of Gruyere, still yummy. My dining companions all ordered different entrees, from beef tips to the pasta, everything looked tasty, and nobody has any complaints. The bad: I can't think of any. I would definitely eat here again.
(4)
Jill H.

I've known families who have come here religiously for years and was a bit skeptical or their allegiance having seen more recent negative Yelp reviews. I was invited to come here for a Yelp event in early 2015 and was able to sample some wonderful food and speak to some very passionate people manage and work here. Although I walked away with a positive experience, I didn't want to review until I dined there on my own and off the menu when they weren't prepared for someone who might review. I'm pleased to review that our more recent experience bringing my in-laws here for dinner was just as good if not better than our Yelp event. We had similar tastes that evening and thoroughly enjoyed our choices of the Cabin Meat Loaf and the Lake Erie Perch. Notably, the mashed potatoes are super good. They have a great wine, domestic and craft beer selection and even offer flights so it made our drinking choices a little more interesting. I enjoy the cabiny feel to the place although some areas could use updating. Our service didn't stand out but she wasn't a bad server by any means. Bonus to coming here is that you can usually find coupons in the local monthly circulars!
(4)
Sarah S.

Waitress dumped two glasses of ice water on me during and engagement dinner and didn't even try apologize. Had to go to the kitchen to get our own condiments & refills after waiting 10 minutes for the waitress to fulfill that request. The food was good and the outdoor area was very nice but the bad customer service left me rather soaked and not wanting to return here.
(1)
Alex K.

Hearing I was coming here for a family lunch had me nervous because of the Yelp reviews. Other than the place having horrible green carpet (CARPET!?) and smelling like an old outhouse, I enjoyed it. The French dip sandwich was good, even though it cost more than it was worth. The au jus really "made" the sandwich. The straight fries (strange name...) were pretty tasty too, but could have been dabbed of grease -- the waffle fries and their seasoning reminded me of Rally's/Checkers or Arby's fries. The French onion soup was enjoyable too, but my mom thought it needed salt... of course, she's the same woman who adds soy sauce to ramen noodles. I also had a bite of what I think was yak meatloaf that my dad got, and it surprised me... I have some apparent aversion to meatloaf I think, but this stuff was great. In case you're wondering, yak isn't all that unlike beef (in my opinion). The mac and cheese here is decent... mild and not super interesting, I'd say. Definitely not bad but I'm glad I didn't get an order of it. If you're a big macaroni and cheese connoisseur, you might be better off getting something else. Service was fine, and the food was better than decent. Definitely a little expensive considering the small portions though, so that may keep me from coming back if I'm paying. Hey, at least there's a nice beer list with very fair prices to sort of balance things out.
(4)
Carolyn E.

We came to Karl's Kabin for a bridal shower, so had use of the large, beautiful back room for our party. I love the way the restaurant is decorated - upscale cabin in the woods! This is a great place for a group. Private, spacious and with lots of natural light. We had a buffet, which included a lovely fresh salad with house-made dressings, homemade potato chips which were heavenly, and a few sandwich choices. The chicken salad was really very good, and that's something I would never order. It had apples and grapes, and was super fresh and creamy. All of the ingredients seemed to be top-notch, and I have to day, this is the best food I've ever had at a shower. I would love to come back for lunch or dinner, even in Plymouth, which is a bit of a hike for me.
(5)
Tamara K.

Went to a yelp event tonight that refreshed my recollection of a previous time I had been to this restaurant. Quaint restaurant that makes you feel as if you are stepping into someone's home for dinner. Had a tasting of so many delicious food choices like northern jambalaya -- a fancy refined version of jambalaya with asparagus and wild mushrooms and local michigan made apple sausage; meatloaf made with yak meat (the beefier more nutritious beef) and organic chicken wings that would make vegetarians swoon. Can't wait to return for a full dinner. Special shout out to Louis (the owner) who took the time to explain all of the above details and had such pride of ownership in his restaurant that it will be our pleasure to recommend it to all we know!
(4)
Joe V.

Came here last night for a Yelp event. Almost 6 years ago to the day, I was in here and gave this place a 2-star review. We showed up a little early and grabbed a couple drinks at the bar. Michigan craft beers were reasonably priced in the $4.50-$6.50/pint range depending on what you selected. The bartender was swamped but still managed to serve us efficiently with a smile. During the event, the owner and kitchen manager came out and spoke to us and they seemed really genuine in caring about what is said (positive and negative) about Karl's Cabin on Yelp. I realize that they probably pulled out all of the stops for this Yelp event last night, but they did a great job and all of the food I got to sample was quite good. Not sure if the grilled chicken wings are on the normal menu, but they were excellent. I tried the meatloaf without knowing that there was yak meat in it. I probably would not have been daring enough to try it knowing that ahead of time as I do not care for "gamey" food, but it was awesome. I hesitate to give them a glowing review based on a Yelp event, but in light of the recent negative reviews, I do feel like Karl's Cabin is taking those comments to heart and working to fix their shortcomings. The space is nice and definitely has an "up north" feel to it. There is a patio that looks like it would be a nice place to enjoy a drink when the weather finally comes around. One major drawback to Karl's Cabin is the location. It's a destination. You're not going to be aimlessly driving around one day and say, "Let's check that place out" because it's in the middle of nowhere. If you live within 5-10 miles, check your mailers as there are always coupons for $5/$10 off that I see. I'd like to give this place another shot in the near future on a normal night just to see if things are really coming around or if it was just all smoke and mirrors for the Yelp event. For now, I'm going to give them the benefit of the doubt as I appreciated the execution of the event last night. It seem like the place is run by good people and they obviously have the capability of doing things well - it's just a matter of doing them consistently every night.
(4)
Rick P.

I enjoy the salmon here. Nice meal reasonably priced. Nice atmosphere. Hit or miss on the service.
(3)
dorothy t.

I am a big fan of Karl's Cabin and I have been for years. Today I was there for lunch and ordered the poached salmon salad I usually order at lunchtime. The salmon was perfect and I love how all the flavors on the plate seem to meld effortlessly. I also had a wonderful creamy asparagus soup. Delish! Dinner is when I branch out more wrt to my selections. With almost no exception (and let's face it, there is always a time or two over 15 years when something is not quite as perfect as one would expect it to be) their meals include great flavors, solid seasoning and the service is always friendly and personal. Their steaks and burgers are great and I have always enjoyed their fish dishes. Over the years I have complained about the women's bathroom, lack of a patio and sometimes slower times to get our orders. But here's what I really appreciate about this restaurant ... they listen. When customers give consistent feedback, they put their money where the customers' mouths are and make great upgrades such as new bathrooms, the best patio in town and a brand new kitchen that is more streamlined and faster. I really appreciate that effort. These are all reasons I keep going back despite it being a little farther away than the DTP dining locations.
(4)
Binnan O.

One of the others that came here for a yelp event so take everything with a grain of salt. Ambiance: The restaurant was very comfortable and is a log cabin as advertised. The architecture is very good at absorbing sound and it seems like a casual place to enjoy a mean. I enjoyed the old-fashion stained glass lamps especially. Service during the event was excellent and polite but I really can't comment on what you can expect regularly. Food: We had a smorgas board of food at the event but my personal favorites were the meatloaf, mac n' three cheese, and jambalaya. The meatloaf was perhaps the most unique and was great on its own although it was served with smoky ketchup on the side. What struck me most was the strong dark-meat flavor which after finding out it was yak and sirloin makes sense. Despite using lean meat it was not too dry and texture which was light and crumbly, not the dense sponge/brick you sometimes get. The mac n' cheese was also quite good with the perfect creamy texture, a mild cheesy flavor (some places over-do the smoked gouda), and moderate touch of bacon. It was the one side my wife and I kept coming back for more of. The sliders were well proportioned with a good scoop of moist pulled pork and a generic sweet-tangy bbq sauce served over a fairly standard bun, it reminds me of Arthur Bryant's in Kansas City but a little less smoky. I believe they serve this as a full-sized portion, likely over a real artisan bun vs what we got. Perhaps one of the best dishes was the jambalaya which had copious pieces of chicken, shrimp, and sausage in a perfectly-cooked wild rice pilaf (neither chewy nor mushy). I will say that not everything was great however. There were fish tacos which I didn't find on the menu that lacked flavor. The fish was lightly dusted with flour prior to frying to give it a nice crisp but the slaw was bland and it lacked a sauce to really give it some oomph. My wife said it tasted like eating fishsticks in a tortilla. The chicken wings were moist, tender, and meaty but were cooked independently of the sauces available. While this is more versatile for catering purposes, it means the chicken really doesn't meld with the sauce. The bacon bbq chipotle and habanero sauces were perhaps the most balanced and flavorful while the ghost chili sauce was pure heat without any flavor. There was also a tortellini and sausage dish that was a little light on sauce and had gotten a little mushy/adherent waiting for the event to start, really a dish best served fresh. Overall I think there is some really good food at Karl's Cabin, the technical cooking was impeccable considering it was essentially catered, textures were spot-on, and dishes were hearty. I really appreciate the attention they put in using naturally- or locally-grown ingredients. This is likely why the prices are in the $14-17 range. While the food was very solid, nothing was cream-your-pants good and when you're considering places in the $15+/plate range, there are likely better options. I will say we had the priviledge of meeting the owners who were extremely friendly and dedicated to customer satisfaction, they really try to improve from their feedback which is reassuring. I may explore this place further if I am in the area but honestly will likely stick to places that offer a better bang-for-your-buck experience.
(4)
Mike K.

We heard from my wife's parents Karl's Cabin was good. We visited with our 1.5 y/o daughter on a Sunday, around 4:30. The first thing we noticed was we were the youngest folks there and probably had everyone beat by a few decades. It was early on a Sunday, I get that, but it was.... old. I felt like I was at a buffet across the street from a nursing home when they let people out for the afternoon. The staff were hit and miss. The hostess couldn't be bothered to get us a kid's menu and one of the gals busing tables looked like she was inconvenienced at the thought of clearing tables. I've never seen anyone so frowny at a restaurant. Our server, waitress, whatever, was very nice, very patient, hustled our daughter's food out immediately, and was extremely professional. The place itself looked like a low-rent hunting cabin and it was just on the wrong side of cheesy. It didn't pull it off. The food was fine, the waffle fries tasted like Arby's fries (That was a nice suprise), and the food was about a dollar more than it should have costed. It seems Karl's is tailored for locals and regulars. Every aspect of the place was so average as to be forgettable. Nothing was bad but nothing stood out, save our waitress's effort. Ultimately, I won't be coming back unless I'm invited out by someone I like or can't avoid. Karl's just isn't for us.
(3)
Joel R.

Be prepared to eat whatever is served. If you are unhappy about the food or environment, they don't care. If your food is not as described on the menu and you want to speak to the manager, be prepared to be surrounded by owner and manager demanding a discussion of what you think is wrong. I'm the customer, it doesn't matter what you think if I don't believe your food is as described on the menu. All I wanted was a different item.
(1)
Kooky K T.

I was here a couple weeks ago after work as the location is close to my company and we would usually go here for group gatherings, farewells, treating our colleagues from overseas and etc... Bringing business. I always raved about this place. Always found any excuse to come even though it is a little overpriced. I didn't care, as the service was awesome and the food melted in my mouth. The environment is cozy.. Etc. But the last visit here was the worst restaurant experience i have ever had. We ordered drinks to start off. Our waitress, young and careless, (I'm leaving her name out of this review, though tempting) spilled the drinks as she set them down on our table. Said she would be back with a napkin. I had to ask another waitress in the area because she neglected to come back and beer was running across the table. Then we ordered our dinners. My salmon came (this is what I have always ordered here). It was so crispy and burned i couldn't eat the ends at all- way overcooked. I got the waitress' attention and she asked if I wanted a new one. I kindly asked (because i understand these things happen inevitably) for her to have another filet made. She said she needed to take it from me and that the oven is new. *Apparantly the older oven worked just fine... lol* It comes back to me. In the restaurants i have worked in, we would bring your re-cooked meat with new sides, since the original sides are now cold. They did not. Brought the salmon. Walked away immediately without making sure it was cooked correctly, which it was not... :( This time it was RAW in the middle. :( Disappointment. While i know that none of this was our waitresses fault, her attention to our table at this point changed to non-existent.. while we had been nothing but polite the entire time. I had to pawn my raw salmon off to another waitress who walked by.. and she was very kind actually. Too bad i did not catch her name. She asked If i wanted anything else... I said no.. I had given up on getting a properly cooked piece of fish. From that point, our waitress never came back to offer refills or to check on my colleagues' plates they were eating. She hung out by the hostess stand giggling with her friends and looking at us. It's was blatantly obvious. She dropped our checks off to collect money... Never asking if we needed anything else. We paid and even left decent tips. We hung out to visit for a bit as we normally would and then thought... Let's get one more round of drinks (2nd). It took a while to get her attention because i guess at this point she had gotten her tips and could care less. When we asked for a round she didn't say a word. Stood there with her sassy attitude, pad and paper ready to write. It was very awkward and uncomfortable for everyone at the table. We never said anything to her, in the form of a complaint, as we just wanted to make the best of our night and enjoy what we could. The drinks came and she literally slammed them down and walked away. Not a smile. Not a word. We watched as she went to the other tables and laughed and talked. It was clear at this point that she was angry at our table only.. and was it because i had sent my raw food back?! We couldn't think of another reason... THEN, She came by to tell us that we needed to leave because there was a big party coming and they would need our table! HUH?? We looked at eachother in disbelief that we were being told to leave after all of this. They never mentioned our time was limited when we came in. And now that she was being so rude it was just the cherry on top. She had brought our checks immediately after our last order of drinks so we took that also as a sign that she wanted us out of there. No dessert offered. Kind of embarrassing to our guests from Austria that were here on business.. When the tables were being moved around us for regrouping we decided it was time to go. We were clearly unwelcome. I never had a visit from the manager to apologize for the twice mistaken salmon, which is a common practice in restaurants. *Where was management?? It felt like a CHILD was running the show* I was greatly disappointed. And it wasn't just our waitress. The lack of attention from management, rushing us out without notice... The fact that the chef sent the food out like it was.. Twice. The disappointment stretched across the board. Unfortunate for such a nice place to dine, and it was on the top of my recommendation list until now.
(1)
Zachary F.

I love their event calendar. I went there recently for a bells beer food pairing and it was excellent. Of course the beer was delicious, but the food it was prepared with was equally as good. They make a huge effort to use all fresh Michigan ingredients and you can tell. The food tasted fresh and inventive. The atmosphere is nice and quaint. We sat outside, which was a nice large area. The day turned out to be beautiful so it worked out perfectly. The service was great and the owner was there and incredibly friendly. They have many events and their website is setup so you can easily view them and purchase tickets directly from the site. The final pairing was black note stout and cheesecake. It was a perfect harmony of delicious flavors. I will definitely be back to enjoy another event.
(4)
Suzanne S.

Hi everyone, I guess I'm on a roll and not a very happy one. We went out the other night with our friends, for dinner. They do not have call ahead seating nor do they have a list of names or anything. So we just went on a Saturday night and took a chance. It was pretty busy but we got seated pretty quickly. We all 4 ordered cheeseburgers and french fries. Now you might say that there's not too much they can do with a burger, right?? Well, my friend and I ordered our burgers, "not burnt but just not red inside". After about an hour, we finally asked where our food was and the waitress (who hadn't been by to check on us at that point) went to check on it. She came back and said it "would b e done shortly". After another 15 minutes we received our cheeseburgers and when I bit into mine it was blood red! My friend had the same problem but even worse. The guys didn't mind that theirs were a bit rare. I don't know how it was not well done enough because it took an hour plus 20 minutes.??? So we waited and our waitress did not come back to check in on us....so I caught another waitress and asked if she would go and bring our waitress back to talk with us. She came back to the table and was very perturbed that we didn't like our burgers. She rudely grabbed our burgers and then about 20 minutes later or even longer, she finally stopped in to tell us she was bringing the new burgers asap. We did receive our new burgers and they were better but nothing to "write home about" so they used to say...Oh no, I'm dating myself ...meaning that I'm letting you in on how old I am...lol....I will say that we received both mine and my girlfriends dinners "on the house" for the length of time and the rawness of the burgers. We also got a dessert and she didn't charge for either item. For that we were surprised and very greatful. Hence the extra star instead of just one! This was my first time eating at this restaurant, by the way; except for a graduation party many years ago, that was wonderful! I might give this place another shot, because it was a very busy Saturday night. But I feel that if you don't like being a server, you shouldn't be one! Ours was just so ornery and unhappy! Anyways, thank you very much for stopping by to read my reviews and I hope to have some good positive ones real soon! Thanks again!
(2)
Amanda G.

I was contacted on Yelp but someone wanting to talk about my experience. Never called me. Makes me more sure my original review was correct.
(2)
Carla O.

Horrible and service sucked!!! Hated my food. Worst salad ever. Salmon looked like tuna.
(1)
Laura W.

3 of us went there for lunch and ordered food. While we were eating they brought us some breadsticks and a few slices of bread. I ate a breadstick and a piece of bread. And my buddy went to grab a piece of bread and it was totally covered in mold. Wtf. Who knows how fresh the ingredients they are cooking in the kitchen are! I have been there a few times and this will be the last.
(1)
Kelly M.

I've been to Karl's a few times as it is close by. This place gets SUPER busy on the weekends, and that might even be an understatement. The food is always good, and I've never had a bad experience with the wait staff. I would highly recommend giving it a try.
(4)
Kristina K.

If you like any full service restaurant in Plymouth, you're going to like Karl's Cabin because Karl's Cabin is the ONLY full service restaurant in town. Karl's Cabin is charming. I think most patrons can agree, because the parking lot was busy on a snowy weeknight. The food and service is okay. You're going to get a good value when you visit Karl's Cabin. That being said, if you're looking for delicious food and great service you'll have to look to a different town. The decor and wood cabin reminded me of a Wisconsin supper club, and the menu items and descriptions had me hopeful. Unfortunately, most of it was smoke and mirrors. The french onion soup was not over salty but it was warm. It seemed like it was heated enough to melt the cheese, but not heated enough to deliver hot soup. They even considered their a specialty item; yet they cannot execute one of the most simple restaurant items, let alone one of their signature items. The Walnut and Cherry salad is a winner and I'm glad they put the dressing on the side. The cherries were sweet and tart and a perfect start to a meal. The Bourbon Flank had nice char but was overcooked. The server specifically asked how I wanted my steak, but why bother when the kitchen is going to deliver it however they want. That being said, the flank had good flavor and was a good portion size. Although the New Orleans Beef Tips were described on the menu to be served with gravy, but when the dish arrived the tips were drowning in gravy. Why so much gravy? What were they trying to hide? What was left after the tips were eaten? A big soupy mess. Gross. Karl's Cabin had another opportunity to redeem themselves with a typically easy to execute sandwich. Unfortunately, the BBQ Pulled Pork sandwich was a huge disappointment. The pork tasted like it had been abandoned and only called in whenever someone ordered it. Although BBQ Pulled Pork is easy and simple, Karl's Cabin's version tasted uncared for. Our server seemed aloof. I believe that the basic role of a server is to take the meal order. Our server could even complete the basic task. We ordered Bacon Wrapped Scallops as an appetizer. By the time our entree arrived, we asked about the scallops and the server said she forgot to place the order. Unfortunately, by the time the scallops arrived, we regretted not asking her to cancel the order. The scallops were charred black and the bacon was chewy. We wanted to go back into the kitchen to tell them to turn down the grill. While we're back there, we would teach them how to make a french onion soup, roast and heat BBQ pork and hold back on gravy. Afterwords, we would teach the server how to do their most basic task of placing orders to the kitchen. Karl's Cabin has a lot of potential and I'm sure they will get there as soon as they fix a lot of their problems both in and out of the kitchen.
(2)
John M.

Visited this place on Mother's Day...bad service, bad food. Several hours after getting home got sick..probably food poisoning....never Will return to this place.
(1)
Chris T.

I've been on bit of a stint lately when it comes to restaurants: i am leaning towards more high-end fare, made affordable by groupon and other deal places. Karl's Cabin is the latest spot that i've been able to enjoy on a Deli Clerk's salary. This isn't the first time i've been here - occasionally i'll hear about really good shows (one that sticks in memory is Lusine on New Year's Eve, probably in 2007 or so.) That night was very impressive outside of the music itself, it also excelled in beer selection and quality of mixed drinks. As a restaurant though, this is only the third time i've eaten here. We arrive on a Saturday, just after 6pm. The place is full, in anticipation of tonight's Dueling Pianos show (reservations taken and full after 8pm, so if you want to come here for that, call and reserve a table at least a couple weeks in advance). Even though the crowd was already there, the staff had no problem accomodating us, a very good sign. The daily special menu had some great things on it, I started with a Michigan Mojito for some reason, and followed it up with a Blueberry beer whose name i cannot remember... but was amazing nonetheless. The atmosphere of Karl's Cabin is what you'd expect - out in the wilderness, near a dirt road but on a paved one, with some outside seating and wooden everything inside. We sat near a window, just adjacent to the stage where pianos would be dueling but were currently at rest. After a perusal of the menu, i settled on one of the specialties - the smoked beef brisket, which came sitting on a bed of nicely bbq'd beans and a healthy addition of fresh vegetables. The beef was expertly smoked, full of flavor and nearly flawlessly cooked. Only the edges of the loaf were a little too char for my taste. Portions here are great, and unless you must have a filet (which one of my company did have) you can easily eat here for under $20... an impression which was somehow not felt the first time i looked over a menu. Overall a good experience. I will be back for sure.
(4)
Scott S.

Poor management ...The food is over priced and not of the quality they say.. (Half of what they say is "local food", is bs!!) Oh and don't bother going in on a Friday or Saturday because they ll give you a time too leave ...lots of unprofessional management if they can even call themselves that ...they also need to get new carpet and realize that once another business opens near by they ll be over ... Rate : crappy!
(1)
Erin S.

I love the pate here but I think it is laughable that the price range on here is only $$. It is at least $$$ and while the food is good the staff has been rude to either me or someone I am with almost every time we have gone in.
(3)
Chelsea C.

I remembered that we paid A high amount for our meals, when they all came back terrible, 3/7 taken back...we would have taken more back but I feel that is when spit is added...no manager came out and apologized, and the waitstaff were not trained for this higher class (I say that because of the price) restaurant.
(1)
Andrea E.

I went here for a wine tasting event, not to actually sit down and eat, so my review is based on that experience. My first impression was that it looked really cabiny and cozy. When I was walking in there was a car in the parking lot with two dead deer strapped to it and that just seemed fitting. The set up was nice and the food was beautiful. There was an assortment of cheeses, sausages, jambalaya, fruit, basil pasta, mac and cheese and chicken piccatta. I didn't really care for any of the pastas, because I thought they were bland. I was really excited for the chicken and I was disappointed when I couldn't even taste any lemon. It was just kind of like a soggy chicken tender. I gave it another chance when they brought out another tray and the sauce was better but the chicken was dry like jerky. The food wasn't really the focus though. The wine selection was interesting and most of it was pretty affordable. I thought it was set up pretty well with three different stations. I would probably go back and do it again and I think an actual meal from the restaurant would be worth trying.
(4)
Jeffrey T.

Service was nicer then the food. Walked in and it was a great sign that the place was packed on a Friday night. Hostess was very nice and was able to find us a seat promptly. Bartender leaves a lot to be desired by serving warm sparkling wine drinks and specialty cocktails not muddled and having guest wait 15 min wile they handle other business and are no where to be found. Servers where swapped for cutting issues. Started off with the calamari and wasn't disappointed. I would definitely order it every time. My wife and I ordered halfway thru our calamari and were served our salads before we could finish our app. We had to ask for bread because the menu said you have to ask for bread. The bread was sliced and looked like you would make a sandwich out of it and tasted awful. Our entrees came before we could finish our salads. My wife ordered the flank steak that was pretty good but very chewy because they cut it against the grain. I ordered the prime rib after asking if they had rare and what it looked like. Rare was explained to be red and cool and in stock. Unfortunately it came out pink but still looked good so I proceeded to try it, just to be disappointed. It was impossible to chew and tasteless. The server was very nice and replaced it with the perch. The perch entree was ok. It had a sauce on it that was unnecessary and too much. We did finish with dessert that was very good. All in all I would probably come back and try the burger or sandwiches they had listed for lunch and go somewhere else for dinner.
(3)
Stefanie D.

Always wondered why this place had so many vehicles parked in the lot so decided to go in. Food was mediocre and the service was terrible. It took our waitress approximately 30 minutes to get our order. It also took about 30-45 minutes for her to pick up the check. It didn't take us nearly as long to pick at our unsavory meals. It would have made sense if the restaurant was busy but there only one other table seated. Will NOT be going back.
(1)
Paul W.

This place COULD be great. Beer choices are great. Food selections have always been good, but there is always some item which holds them back from being really fine meals. If you're getting a nice grilled steak (and the bourbon-rosemary one is delicious), why not some nice seasoned, grilled veggies on the side instead of bland steamed zuccini? If you're putting "warmed goat cheese" on a salad, why use a breaded, deep fried hunk? Deep frying is one way to warm something, true, but there are ways which don't leave an aftertaste of fryer oil. Those scallops that came on a "bed of spinach"? I think it takes more than half a dozen leaves for a "bed". In the "wild rice pilaf," be sure to look carefully and you will indeed see some grains of wild rice. Now sure, you can say that the "Main event"--the meat or whatever--was good (and it always has been, except for the pan-seared walleye that once came a little TOO seared), but the smaller touches or side dishes matter too. Why should I savor only half my meal? We'll go back, since we live close (and they offer some great coupons). I just hope someday the offerings live up to their potential. Advise going for lunch or weeknights, as friday or saturday dinner hours tend to be crowded.
(3)
Margaret V.

Great place! I've eaten here twice with my husband and friends. The cons: They only take reservations for 6 people or more. Be aware, it can be packed on a Saturday evening! The last time we were there we had to wait a hour for our table and close to a hour for our food. The pros: We have always had great food every time we have eaten here. The last time we were here our friends ordered the smoked salmon pate, which was outstanding! I don't care for salmon,but I can not wait to try that again! My husband had the meatloaf, which he said was delicious. I had the goat cheese ravioli which was very good. To my disappointment it was a little al dente for my taste, but that may be the proper way to cook ravioli. I had left overs the next day and they were fantastic! In the past I have also had the Caesar salad, which is also very good!! During warm weather months they have outdoor seating, which is very nice. My understanding is that they also music and entertainment! If you are not familiar with the Plymouth area, it may be a little difficult to find, but it is worth the drive. Great food and wonderful service in a really nice atmopshere!
(4)
Bella M.

Nice atmosphere, pleasant staff but mediocre food. The walleye had a good fish flavor but tasted like too much oil was used. The redskin potatoes were over seasoned and dry. No vegie with an entrÃ©e, just salad. May go back in a pinch but wouldn't go out of my way.
(2)
Tim K.

Went to Karl's Cabin on a Thursday night when they had no entertainment. Periodically they have Karaoke, comedy shows, and live events. They have a schedule that states this in case you aren't interested in any of the events. The place was crowded but wife and I got seated immediately and waited on very quickly. We both ordered beers. Big bonus... they have a large selection of good tap beer and a handful from local breweries. I had the Atwater Dirty Blonde (Detroit, MI) and the wife had the Kuhnhenn White Devil (Warren, MI). Both are a must try! We ordered the spinach artichoke dip ($7.95) that was very good and appeared to be freshly made. It comes with homemade tortilla chips and pita bread. Their appetizer selection looked really good and had everything from chicken wings to bacon wrapped scallops. For the meals, I had the 8oz Filet Mignon ($24.95) with salad, rice pilaf, and mixed veggies. The filet was GREAT! Very tender and cooked to perfection. Loved that the cooked veggies were fresh and cut large so they didn't become soggy. A mixture of broccoli, carrots, green beans, etc. Both the salad and rice were good but nothing special to write about. Wife had the Pan Walleye ($22.95) that came served with a caper dill tater sauce. Although not a huge piece of Walleye she had plenty and was impressed with the flavor and quality. She also had the rice and veggies. Bread pudding was delish... Mmmm We will be back soon to try more of the meals. I did see a lot of burgers and pastas being severed. Couple of my favorites. The place is a little in the middle of nowhere but a very nice and elegant log cabin feel. Building is a little rustic but not in an overwhelming way. There are NO deer heads on the walls or pictures of hunters. Does get busy but they seem to be very accustom to the crowd and manage it very well. Seating area is large and has a room for banquets\parties\etc. If in the area try it and I believe you will enjoy!
(4)
Ed D.

Where to start... after a friend tried to make reservations she was told they only take them for 6 or more people. While waiting for our table (which they were only allowing about 6 tables to be used for dinner) a couple came in with parties of only 4. When asked about this 1 of the 6 employees standing around the hostess desk said "you have to specify you are here for entertainment". Really, you are a restaurant and don't accept reservations from people that just want to eat dinner? So, we arrived at 7pm and were told there was an hour wait. Looking around the room there were well over a dozen tables and booths sitting empty. When asked about them, we were told they were being reserved for people that were coming to hear the band (which didn't start playing until 9pm). Numerous people came in and walked out since they were only allowing a few tables in a corner to be used for people wanting to just eat. If the managers are reading this you should be fired! Why are you turning people away that would be in and out with plenty of time before the band started at 9pm? I was counting and you easily turned away a minimum of $1000. Worse than the loss in sales, you pissed a lot of people off seeing the empty tables and told to wait an hour...they will probably never be back. I will tell you, we would have left if there was anything else close by. The food was good, I would probably give 4 stars on that but as you see, you lose two stars for poor service. We waited for our waitress (Jenny) to come cash us out but she never returned. We left cash on the table and walked out. You could have a good thing going here but you need to focus on the customer! For those wanting to come here, the cost is $$$, not $$. A typical meal will run you about $18 plus drinks and tip.
(2)
Jillian H.

Karl's Cabin is a local favorite for my family and me! Our go to last minute weeknight meal, out of town guest dinner, and special occasion spot, Karl's rarely disappoints. As some other reviews have mentioned, their event calendar is a fun feature that adds some atmosphere to their busy weekend services, and their food and staff are consistently on point. Karl's is almost always packed on the weekends and some week days, so they're definitely doing something right. The atmosphere is comfortable for all occasions from large parties to dinner/lunch dates and all audiences/ages from families to bar patrons. My go to is the Cabin Burger with waffle fries or the lamb chops if I'm craving something a little more up scale. Both are great and they truly have something for any occasion/pallet. I've yet to try their catering/events but I know of large groups (10+) who have made reservations for before special events (prom, homecoming, concerts, etc.) and left very satisfied. My only complaint is that it can be on the pricey side. My family of three can rarely get out of here for under 50$, but their adverts/coupons in the local paper/Plymouth magazine are helpful to keep on hand. All in all, love the food, love the atmosphere, love the people. If you're in the area, definitely give it a try (but you might want to call ahead first...)! Happy dining!
(4)
Mike S.

I've tried this place three times. The first was OK, but the last two, less than that. The food each time has been average at best. The seating is very crowded, tables seem to be right on top of each other. The last two times we came in, we were told by the hostess that there was a reservation for our table in about a hour to hour and a half. So, enjoy your dinner, but hurry up. We have people that need your table! Nothing like being told you really don't matter as a customer, just as a check.
(2)
Harold R.

Even though, I live in Farmington Hills, I find myself traveling out of my way to Karl's Cabin. The rustic appeal and great food along with the attentive service keeps me coming back. The menu is diverse and the lamb chops are to die for.
(4)
Kelly V.

Don't bother coming on the dueling piano nights. The guys are sub-par and they charge an exorbitant cover charge for the quality. Not to mention the fact that the mandatory gratuity INCLUDES the $7 per person cover charge, which last time I checked was NOT a service. Drinks are overpriced, servers are cranky. This will be our first and last time here.
(1)
Kimberly C.

Great service. Salad was fresh: cranberries nice & plump, walnuts freshly candied, lettuce fresh. I didn't have room for the bread pudding--darn!
(5)
Eric G.

This place is great. Met a few co-workers here the other night for drinks and im def a fan now. They have an amazing craft beer selection with many I.P.A choices. The place was packed and service was great. THe menu looked pretty awesome but didn't try very much. I did have the smokehouse sandwhich which was fantastic. I look forward to coming back soon.
(4)
X P.

As my wife recently said, 'It's a good thing this place is (kind of) in the middle of nowhere, otherwise you'd never be able to get a table.' I began going here on my motorcycle rides, got to know the owners, Lou/Peter, both of whom are very friendly and personable. Started bringing the wife and it has become one of our 'go-to' restaurants. Not one of those pretentious, chi-chi trendy joints, just good food that is well-prepared. We've had some of the best waitresses here - they act as if you're their most important customer and even asked if we wanted the chef to make special changes to how our food choices were prepared. We really appreciate that, it's a nice touch. If you're looking for a place with a large and varied selection of solid menu choices that are tasty and well done, give Karl's a try. My only suggestion is that they need a place to hang your coats.
(4)
Shelly M.

Wow, off the beaten path. I guess it pays to be located in the middle of nowhere, the place was a hoppin. I ordered the Tomato, Basil, & Chicken Pignola, it was a little on the bland side for my taste. Also got the sweet potatoe soup, but probably would have rather had that for desert as it was good, but sweet. I know, duh right. Service was a little slow. Everyone else seemed to really enjoy their food. I'm sure it is the best in the area.
(3)
Amy B.

Ale and onion soup was enough to split. Loads of cheese and rich flavored broth. Had a buffalo burger charred and carmelized on the outside perfect pink and juicy on the inside.
(4)
Michelle A.

I've been to Karl's Cabin several times in the past few years, and I've had mixed experiences. Because I've had such a mix of experiences, I'm only giving it two stars. The menu and service is just so hit and miss, that I'd rather go elsewhere. On my most recent visit, I opted for a side salad and an app, the potato cups, which sounded great with chorizo, avocado, and melted cheese. The salad was fine. Nothing special, but not bad. The dressing, raspberry vinaigrette, was something out of a bottle - very syrupy and sweet, not something they made. The potato cups were really not good. They were literally little cups, which was a bit awkward. I'm pretty certain they were frozen and just warmed up. The chorizo was extremely dry and the avocado was measly. The potatoes weren't crispy enough on the outside and were just kind of mushy with the dry chorizo sitting inside of it. On past visits, I had a decent experience with the scallops - they were good; however at that same meal, one of my family members' dish was served only lukewarm. I wouldn't say any dish I have ever gotten at this place has been good enough to outweigh the poor experiences myself or my party has had. The service is fine. Nothing fancy. Took a little while on a busy Friday night for someone to take our drink order, but it was to be expected. I wouldn't necessarily recommend this place. They did recently get a lot of health code violations for not storing food at proper temperatures - so be careful about what you order (although I'm sure they have since fixed that?) If someone wanted to go here, I would go back... I view it on par with something like Applebee's, but more expensive and with better drinks.
(2)
Wanda A.

In a word, disappointing. I went for lunch, and was excited to try it because I'd never eaten there, and it's one of the few restaurants between Ann Arbor & Plymouth. The menu was pretty straightforward, and it seemed like one of those places where anything you order will at least be decent. I decided on the pistachio encrusted tilapia with tomato basil sauce. Not good. I thought I'd just ordered the 'wrong' thing from their menu, so I figured I could at least get enough to eat between the red skinned potatoes, side of veggies, and bread. I went for the potatoes first - weird seasoning, over done. With the two main components of my meal 'inedible' I still thought with veg & bread, I could at least tide myself over until later. Veggies were somewhere between raw and cooked, as if someone had splashed some hot water on them. We never got bread. When my plate was taken I wasn't asked if anything was wrong, as it was clear I hadn't eaten very much. Usually, I would ask for something else or a refund or something, but it was a family get together and not the right time. But if the waitress had asked, I could have at least gotten something else to take home. Then, as we were getting up to leave, the manager acted as if we were in her way when she decided to rush through the dining room. Really strange. Waitstaff was nice though.
(2)
Robyn T.

I have been by Karls at least 43 times and finally took the time to stop by for dinner. The place was packed! I've never seen so many people drive to the middle of nowhere just to eat. We were smart and made reservations so our party of 6 was seated right away. The interior of this place is very outdoorsy and cabiny. I imagine it's super cozy during the holidays. And surprisingly, the menu is a little more upscale. I ordered the crab dip which comes with pita bread. It was fabulous! Everything was warm and the flavors tasted very fresh. For my main entree, I ordered the beef tips. It come with sautÃ©ed peppers and onions, a brown gravy, and cheddar mashed potatoes. It was a fan-frikkin-tastic! I would order that again in a second. One star away because our service was kind of laughable. For most of our time, our server would stand against a wall and just stare at people. Meanwhile we have several glasses with nothing but ice in them.
(4)
Meggie S.

We had a party of nine at Karl's after my graduation at EMU today. We had never been there before and decided on it purely on recommendation. It was a good idea to call a few days in advance for reservations because they had a wedding shower in one room and the rest of the place was quite full as well. I'm always nervous about going to restaurants with a big party, but our waitress and the rest of the staff were fully prepared and prompt. Our waitress brought us pitchers of water and took our picture, we asked to bring in our own cake, and they were totally nice about everything. I even got a complimentary glass of cabernet to help me celebrate. Awesome! They had a really nice menu and our party ordered quite an array of food. Several of us got steaks, at least one of us got a sandwich, a salad, a gyro and a whitefish. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed their meals! It's a bit out of the way to go to regularly, but we were all really happy with our experience and our family will definitely be back.
(4)
Kevin G.

Have NEVER had a bad meal here and the only time our service has been slow has been on weekends when Karls is packed to the gills. My wife and I had dinner here last night using a restaurant offer for BOGO 1/2 off. The restaurant was not very busy. Very polite hostess sat us right away. Angela showed up promptly to take our drink order and her trainee, Michelle, brought them very quickly. I ordered the half slab of ribs with redskins,vegetables and side salad and my wife ordered a chicken and mushroom pasta dish with soup. My ribs were almost fall off the bone, that is how I like them, and had a nice sweet sauce on them. The redskins were a little over cooked but the vegetables were very crisp and flavorful. My wife's soup was very good, lots of flavor and very thick. The pasta dish was huge and enough for seconds. It needed some seasoning as it was on the bland side. The young men busing tables were very polite and timely. They always seemed to be collecting dishes at the right time, asking us if we were finished and disappearing quickly. Both of our waitresses were attentive and very professional. The only drawback I have ever had with Karl's is that it is too dark inside for me. The menu is not too big and it does have a lot of variety. Cannot help but give it a thumbs up.
(4)
Michael S.

I've seen signs for this place on M-14 for years and always wondered what it exactly was. The name alone spoke to me of something rustic and not even approaching upscale-ish. However, when I went there the other day, I found that my notions were incorrect. The Kabin does have a rustic sort of feel to it, but that's as far as it goes. It's much larger than a cabin, but does have cabin like features to it. Something like one might find in the UP of Michigan. It's very nicely done. The menu looks wonderful and that was confirmed by my meal, a pasta with chicken and tomatoes. It was served fresh and hot and there was plenty to sate my appetite. They have a full bar with a nice beer selection, both macro and micro. It was not crowded at all and we were seated immediately. Our server came just after we sat and was extremely attentive, bringing whatever we wanted as soon as it was ready. Karl's seems like it might be out of the way and in fact, is not in a built up area. It is, though, very easy to get to. My only desire would be for a Sunday brunch.
(5)
Liz W.

This is a place with some history to it. Johnny Cash once played here for goodness sakes, you gotta love that. They also have seriously good food in good quantities and I do love that with a great deal of respect. You can often find coupons for here in the Clipper magazine and I advise you join their e-club too found here: karlscabin.com . My first mailing was a coupon for fifteen bucks off so that made me happy indeed. I have eaten here on numerous occasions and it is always top notch. I recommend starting with the Smoked Whitefish & Salmon Pate platter, with its fun crackers and toasted pita it is just yum. The Calamari comes with a tasty tomato, caper and scallion beurre blanc. The Mussels are sauteed in a white wine and garlic clam sauce and served on a bed of spinach, so freaking good. The owners here are Greek so of course there is Saganaki, a gooey and delicious flaming kasseri cheese block. I just love when they flame it tableside. The soups here are tasty but I am not a fan of the bland chili. The starter salads are delicious and I love that at dinner you can substitute a Greek, Caesar or incredible Forest Walnut as one of the choices. You can make salad your whole meal here and not regret it. The Forest Walnut has candied walnuts, dried cherries, grilled chicken breast and delicious gorgonzola to make you very happy. The Steak and Spinach is one of my faves with tenderloin tips, roasted red peppers, egg and parm covered spinach drizzled with warm bacon vinaigrette. So filling. The bread basket that comes with has delicious rye bread and hard crunchy breadsticks that are tasty too. Sandwiches are huge here and use quality meats. I adore the Cajun Chicken Cordon Bleu on its pretzel roll. The French Dip with provolone is delicious as is the Roast Beef Hoagie with mozzarella, grilled onions, mushrooms and zippy horseradish, often they have a sandwich on special that is like a combo pf the two and that is primo. The baked Turkey Bruschetta has sliced turkey, mozzarella, grated parmesan, fresh basil, minced garlic, olive oil and diced tomato and smells just as amazing as it tastes. The burgers come with a buffalo option and are either in 1/3 or half pound varities. The Patty Melt is yummy, the Blackened Bleu comes with grilled onions and bleu cheese and the Rocky Mountain burger is a surprise with tasty ham, swiss, cole slaw and thousand island dressing. You really can't go wrong with any of them. If you add bacon you always get a ton of it. Entrees are hearty. I love the Roasted Half Chicken with herb olive oil but my mom prefers the BBQ option. I also really like the moist chicken kabob with the tzaziki sauce dip. My dad is a big fan of the huge Grecian Pork Chops, boneless and perfectly marinated so they are tender after the grilling. The St Louis Style BBQ Ribs have the best BBQ sauce. The Rosemary Bourbon Flank Steak is marinated overnight and just smells so good and cuts so easily. My moms loves the Liver and Onions here, saying they are seond best only to Herc's which have long been her favorites. I do not eat liver so I am no judge on that matter. The Beef Tips are excellent and come with a cheesy mashed potato to boot. Pasta here is by Mama Mucci and if I weren't trying to cut down on carbs I would be all over it. The Tomato, Basil and Chicken Pignola has a zippy touch of balsamic vinegar. The Seafood Palamino has crab, shrimp, scallops and mussels with roasted red peppers in a tomato cream sauce. The Shrimp and Scallop Angelina has garlic, spinach and wine with parsley butter over airy angel hair. Any will make you very happy. The atmosphere here is cozy with a dash of elegance. The attire is golf casual. Staff is friendly and attentive but we are regulars so... If you like good quality food in good quantity you have to give Karl's Cabin a try. I highly recommend it.
(4)
S H.

It's sad I have to give Karl's such a bad review, but having coming here numerous times, it was finally "strike three, you're out". Strike One--ish: Was here a few weeks ago and for the most part, we had a fine time. Drinks were great, waitress was fantastic (I think it was Andrea?), but THE FOOD -- the main part -- was not so great. We ordered two apps, calamari and bacon-wrapped scallops. The calamari was not crisp. We ordered New Orleans Beef Tips, Filet Mignon and Ribeye. I ordered my filet MEDIUM _ RARE. It came back bloody. I hate complaining, but this was just a little too close to rare for me. Yet, I still wasn't sure if I was just overreacting so when Andrea came back, I showed her the filet. She said, "Oh my God. That's not medium rare. I'm so sorry. I'll take that back." Great, right? Well, it came back and it was STILL not cooked enough. How is that even possible? The cut of meat was excellent, and I was so hungry, I just said decided to eat some of it. Overall, not a bad night, but the cooks show know how to cook a filet, right? Nope! Edited to add: I forgot that the MANAGER came to our table, apologize and asked if the filet was better. I was a good sport and said "sure." He laughed and asked if I wanted it cooked more. Again, I was so hungry, I just wanted to eat. When the waitress came back, she told us all three of us get dessert on the house. It was a nice gesture. Strike two: After coming here for years, we finally decided to go to Dueling Pianos night. We get there and are seated in what I will call Isolation Corner. It doesn't even feel like part of the restaurant. It was ridiculous. I get it, Karl's. You want to make money...and you did, but you won't be getting any more of my money. The Isolation Corner was also freezing. I never get cold in a restaurant, and I was freezing. The other part of Strike Two? They charge for Dueling Pianos, but are really sneaky about it. We get our bill and $28 was charged to our tab ($7 each). Where is it listed there was a cover? There was no one at the door, no one said anything to me when I made reservations either. Did I miss it? Yes. On their website, there is a PDF for Dueling Pianos. At the very bottom in light light font it says, "cover charge may apply." Huh. "May apply?" Perhaps the "may" should be omitted. I have no problem at all paying a cover, but don't be sneaky about it. Strike Three. Same night as Dueling Pianos. We ordered calamari again. It was actually worse. Soggy, overly dressed with butter I think? It was gross. I ordered filet again and thought if I ordered it MEDIUM, it would be cooked more. I even told the waitress what happened last time. When I got it, it was RARE. Do the cooks not know how to cook a filet? I wish I had taken a picture of the filets I ordered. It's not that difficult. I was told they had "new cooks" in the kitchen. I don't care. I can can sear and cook a filet better than whoever is in their kitchen. Completely unacceptable. I received a new filet, which the waitress said was supposed to go to someone else who ordered it medium (uh, thanks? Is that supposed to make me feel better?). It was better, but not great. The kicker? Apparently, people forget you are part of the restaurant in the Isolation Corner because the manager didn't care my dinner was horribly undercooked. We left as soon as we were done with our dinner. We had planned to order another round of drinks and desserts too, but a this point just wanted to leave. It's really unfortunate because I want to like this place, but at some point enough is enough. Karl's has lost a repeat customer, and her whole family.
(2)
L P.

I'm a fan, but 4 stars is as high as I can go. I really like a couple of the dishes here. The house salad is generously portioned and nearly all of the meals are solidly prepared and tasty. I order the salmon chardonnay often, which is really good. Once in a while the new potatoes that come with it are a little overdone, but that's more the exception than the rule. The cabin burger is huge, and really good. I can eat but I generally can't finish this one. The fish and chips are pretty good, and the fries that come with it are waffle style. The service can be hit or miss, more hits than misses however. And misses usually are in the area of beverage refills, such as coffee or iced tea. But overall the service is steadily good especially if you get one of the servers who knows you and has been there a while. Ambience is log-cabin'ish, and you'll find yourself admiring all of the natural wood inside the place. Plus there is a huge banquet room that can handle large private parties. This one's off the beaten pate over on Gotfredson Rd. but you can't miss it as you drive up. A good find in the Plymouth Twp. area that I go back to usually once a month.
(4)
Jaclyn B.

Sigh... what a disappointment. I am not a Karl's fan. I have always heard that Karl's Cabin was a really nice place to go, relax, and hang out. I was disappointed that the place did not live up to that expectation. We went for a work lunch and had a group of nine people. The hostess said that she was setting up the tables outside and it would be a few minutes. The place seemed as though there a fair amount of people, considering it was 1pm on a Wednesday. The hostess came back from outside and asked us to follow her. When our group got to the patio, it was much to our surprise that they sat us at two separate tables that were not even moved closely together. It was rather odd. We all sat down (at two different tables) and waited for our waitress to come and get our drink order. We waited approximately 7 minutes before our waitress came to order and then waited another 8 minutes to get the drinks... not too ridiculous but for a lunch crowd, sitting outside in almost 90 degree weather I thought it would have been a little quicker. The lemons for the water was forgotten.... So one of the ladies kindly reminded the waitress that lemons was requested. There were two other tables that were sat, drinks and orders taken before we were able to... even though we arrived before them... Ok, we are a decently sized group- small tables are generally quicker to serve. Alright... go it. Then ordered our food (and reminded the waitress that we wanted lemons again), the food came out in a reasonable amount of time.... At least the first round of food did. Politely, 4 of the 9 people waited for the rest of us to get our food... and waited and waited and waited. At some point, we just told tour tablemates to start eating so it did not get cold.... And we continued to wait. Sigh... why is this fundamental element so difficult to do? Please, bring all of the food at once. Eventually, we got the rest of our food. Good thing salads don't get too cold, they were the last to arrive.... The salad was not that it wasn't good- IT WAS GROSS! One of the ladies asked me if it was white fish salad. The "chicken" was so dry, so nasty, tasted horrible and had a funky black coating on it..... and it wasn't blackened chicken. The lettuce was spoiled and limp. But at least the lemons were finally brought out Out of all of the dishes- poached salmon, turkey sandwich, grilled veggie wrap, turkey reuben, club sandwich, Michigan berry salad, and the steak dip sandwich- only one person liked their meal. The only winner was the steak dip sandwich. I doubt I will be back anytime soon. Although it is the "only restaurant in Salem Township"... I can drive to Plymouth or stay in Canton for something not so gross... I am surprised about the fellow yelpers and them having SUCH a great experience- most of my trusted sources (LIZ W- I am your fan and trust your yelps!) had a situation completely different from me.... I am not sure it is enough to make me want to try it again though.
(1)
mariah c.

If I had an uncle who liked to get tanked at the boat show, I might take him here. I have an uncle who likes boats, and perhaps one or two like to get their drink on, but not that combo. This isn't to knock the clientele or feel of Karl's at all -- it was just funny that while I was sitting there enjoying my lunch, the loudest conversation (that I couldn't seem to screen out -- where were those earbuds?) was these fellows in the next booth talking about how fun it was to be wasted at boat shows. Interesting. Guess I can't really knock it, 'cause I haven't tried it! Overall, this place is a bar & grill, and really seems to do a good job leaning on the "grill" side of things. The atmosphere, at least during the afternoon, feels pretty family friendly, and their food selections were a nice step above totally standard bar munchies. Sure, they had waffle fries, but they also had a cherry chicken pecan salad on a pretzel roll that was legitimately tasty! Big chunks of chicken, lots of flavor, and a nice fresh pretzel roll to hold it all together. My server was an absolute sweetheart, too. Very reasonable prices. This might not be a restaurant I'd seek out specifically (unless they make that special chicken salad sandwich a regular item!), but when it's on the way from one place to another, it's a fine for a quick bite. Free wifi was a plus, too!
(4)
George P.

Service sucks, food is ok. Seems popular so either a) my experiences were unique or b) most people have low expectations of service. Owner was nice enough to reach out over this review, so it shows that management cares about customer service.
(3)
Erika B.

Love this place. The atmosphere is great, gives you an up north cabin feel. It is great for large groups as well as they have a private room. Outdoor seating is offered in the summer months. A great place to go for a great meal.
(4)
Erin B.

I love the food! They have a great fish selection and great steaks. Indoor and outdoor seating available. The best thing is the dueling pianos! It's standing room only--reservations are a must!
(5)
Kate H.

We were looking for a centrally located place for people from South Lyon, Brighton, Canton, Hazel Park and Jackson to have a Mother's Day dinner this year, when somebody suggested Karl's Cabin. I had driven past it countless times and wondered what it was like, so I was game. It was totally packed that day, so I'm glad we had the reservation. They were perfectly lovely, the food was good but didn't knock my socks off (I had fish and chips), and the atmosphere was nice. I didn't hear any complaints about the food, but no one was nom, nom, nomming in elation either. The decor is very, um... well... cabin-y. There are dead things hanging on the walls, if that gives you an idea of what kind of place this is. It's nicer than you're imagining right now, I bet. It reminds me of "Up North", if you know what I mean... in a good way. I'm guessing any one born and raised here will know *exactly* what I mean. I bet we'll go here again for another family function, because it was a lovely afternoon and the folks at Karl's Cabin certainly contributed to it.
(3)
Xiang C.

have been in the area for 10 MONTHS now...and this is one of my more pleasant evenings. from the ambience to the wait - it could not be more unlikely for me. not much of a cabin woman - however, the charm and decor this place offered - made me want to have cabin fever ---- KARL CABIN FEVER. i'm a city gal and enjoy big lights and big city dining and fun artsy restaurants with eventive entrees. however, one can always be had with an american food staple - 'the burger'. my new friend had wanted to introduce me to a place 'off the beaten path' that would be a nice retreat. he wanted to make sure that he took me someplace that appease my palette and charm me. he did both. i do not like chain restaurants or chain restaurants or fast-food restaurants for dining purposes. those places are meant for take-out only. karl's cabin has a charm of cozy, inviting, whimsical and family-fun atmosphere. since i have no children or family in the area - i sat at the bar with my friend and we enjoyed a cocktail from our new bartender server who was timid - yet willing to make our wild drinks (from my friend who is a bartender on his private time - i surmise) she was professional and sweet in the entirety of our night. she never 'pretended' to know things about the menu or certain drinks --- and offered to find out or ask and then get back to us. which she did promptly and eagerly. my friend had the special (wurst special) and i went for a traditional burger. do not remember the menu verbatim, however, my friend enjoyed his meal and i enjoyed mine. the bread was great. our server was exceptional (2 days on the job) and the wait staff was accommodating with questions. there were other 'locals/regulars' at the bar and at the close-by dining areas that offered suggestions. the fellow to our left was at the bar with his son - waiting for a to-go order. it is always a pleasing and exceptional dining experience when you are at home and everyone welcomes you as if you are their family. this is a place for all parties, family, and friends. cheers to karl's cabin! xiang cclc
(5)
Ron S.

went there with 3 co-workers; great ambiance but not worth it for what you get for lunch. I ordered a BLT and it was the skimpiest BLT I have ever had. Thick tomato, a small piece of lettuce and very thick bread. with fries for $9.00......now I know Karl's draws a good dinner crowd, but definitely not worth it for lunch...there are much better choices for lunch in Plymouth....try Plymouth Pub, great food and the waitress Asha is the BEST
(2)
Mile B.

A nice place with an up north feel. We've been going here for 25 years. Entree's are over priced and over rated. A great place for a sandwich. Their relatively new patio is very nice.
(2)
Sharon A.

OMG! I was served a roast beef sandwhich on a sub bun. There literally was NO beef, it was basically GRIZZLE! Why the chef would allow that disgusting meal out of the kitchen and the waitress serve it, is befuddling. It was insulting and gross. The waitress was smart., when she placed it in front of me, she practically ran away. I asked the manager to look at it and asked him if he would eat it? He immediately replied, NO! What a joke...they should change the name to Karl's Garbage. No one in my party liked the food. Who cares if you offer coupons, if the food is inedible. Here's a clue to the owners, if you wouldn't eat it...don't serve it to your customers. DUH!
(1)
Christine E.

Karl's Cabin...I heard from a friend that it is terrific. My husband and I went here tonight for dinner. We did not make a reservation (a Friday night) it was fairly busy however when we asked about the wait it was only twenty minutes. When the hostess sat us down she said "There is a reservation for this table at 8 will you be able to be done by then?" (it was 6:30). I found this extremely odd. We both got caesar salad, some of the croutons were soggy and stale at the same time. I got the Lake Erie Perch with Mashed Potatoes my husband got a Sea Food Pasta dish. My perch was just ok and I found several bones which was unpleasant, His pasta was fresh and delicious however the sea food in the pasta was not good (dry, overcooked shrimp, sea scallops seared on only one side, lump crab from a can?) I agree with other yelpers that the entrees are overpriced for the quality. The service was ho hum. I am willing to try this place once more however it is on the chopping block. The one beef I have is at the table they have a sign advertising that if you "like" them on Facebook and show your server on your smartphone then you will get a free cookie. I did this, but the server never brought me the cookie! If you want a great steakhouse, better quality same price with that laid back vibe go to Knight's in Ann Arbor.
(2)
Andrew K.

Food is just ok, and way too overpriced for the quality. Service is just ok. Probably not a horrid place for beers, although the prices are high, but certainly not a place I would go for a dinner. Too bad, I live right down the road, but I won't be back.
(2)
Maria J.

I went here with a group. It's really out of the way. Given how packed it was, I thought it ought to be really good. It was over an hour before we were seated and our orders were taken. The service was pretty poor. The food was overcooked.
(2)
Matt R.

I got the half-chicken with herb seasoning and wild rice. Wonderful! Definitely has the ambience of a hunting lodge/cabin, especially since there isn't much else but farm land around!
(4)
Tom B.

My girlfriend and I checked out Karl's Cabin for the first time last night. It was not bad at all! Good Calamari, Flank Steak was very good, although the Lobster Risotto was a little flavorless. The highlight of the night was our server Jacqueline. She was awesome! She forgot to bring my beer immediately, I saw it click in her head as she walked by the table...she not only didn't charge us for the beer, she gave us a free dessert with a blow torch candle on top! Attentive, knowledgeable, friendly, everything you want in a sever. Bravo Jacqueline!
(4)
Jenny J.

Good food, nice beer selection, very slow service. We came here to a bit after 8 PM on a Friday night. After the hostess seated us we waited about 10 minutes before the waitress took our drink order. The beer selection included Bells, Arcadia, Founders, Dark Horse, New Holland and Michigan Brewing Company. It was a smaller selection, but impressive for a restaurant. The beer was served to us in bottles. We asked for glasses and waited another 10 minutes until we were provided with iced mugs. This is where our beer snobbery comes in, but quality beer should never be served in an icy glass. Save that for Bud Light. The water glasses looked like the perfect beer glasses, so as a suggestion to the restaurant, try serving the craft brews in those. My husband had the Michigan Brewing IPA and I had Arcadia's IPA. Both were good, but I liked mine better! Our dinners included soup or salad and I asked if I could have their chili for the soup. The waitress said yes, but it's a dollar extra. Seriously? I don't understand why restaurants nickle and dime patrons. The chili ended up being pretty tasty and my husband's salad looked like it had homemade croutons on it. For dinner, my husband had the half slab of ribs and I had the New Orleans beef tips. The ribs were falling off the bone tender and were served with fresh fresh, not frozen, zucchini and squash. The beef tips were absolutely saturated with Cajun seasoning. I love spicy, but this was overkill. The beef tips were cooked to varying donenes. Common sense says smaller pieces would need less time than the larger pieces, but that's just my two cents. The beef tips were a smaller portion than I was expecting, but it was filling. The cheddar mashed potatoes were lumpy goodness hidden beneath the tips were very creamy and delicious. For dessert we had the caramel apple pie a la mode. The perfect final touch to dinner. The warm, sweet pie was perfectly balanced by the cold creaminess of the ice cream. The restaurant had an acoustic guitar station on, and it was ALL acoustic music. Can you please change it up a bit so the already slow service paired with the slow music doesn't keep the very busy place so tiresome?
(3)
Jessica S.

LOVE THIS PLACE! Great food. Great Service. Great Atmosphere. I've had the calamari, frog legs, Michigan salad, Steak, & Cheesecake. Can't say anything bad about any of them!! Steak was amazing. If you go. ask for one of the twins, Andrea or Jacquelyn. They have been the only ones to serve me and they are GREAT!! Ask them what you should order and they can tell you. They have been working there a long time and are really knowledgeable about the food.
(5)
Stephen H.

food was just ok. my dad had a sirloin, I had catfish, my mother had the perch. Went for my graduation. Service was very, very slow and the waiter was really proccupied and seemed in a rush, tho it was not busy at all.
(3)
Gary M.

Waitress had no personality. She hardly said two words to us. Made us feel like we were an inconvenience. Food was mediocre at best. Red skin potatoes were awful...couldn't eat them. Prime rib had a lot of fat. Cedar plank salmon was more like cedar piece of scrap wood. Came here to celebrate an anniversary and left disappointed. However, they did offer us a free desert as compensation.
(2)
Stephanie S.

Let me start by saying the food was very good. However, portions were small for the price we paid--even for it being off the lunch menu, and service was not up to par. First of all, it took over 10 minutes for our drinks to come after we ordered them. Then, they sat empty. Our order was finally taken over a 1/2 hour after we arrived. It took another 20-25 minutes before our food hit the table. So, we were finally eating one hour after we arrived. Drinks finally got refilled. Bill came, and I was over-charged $3.00 for an entree that was even supposed to come w/ coleslaw and didn't! I had to wait 10 minutes for the corrected bill. When it came back, she only refunded me $2.00. There is a definite discrepancy between what they say on the menu and what they actually give and charge you! I don't like that. I was with a large group of women. We had reservations, so they should have been prepared. Several of them were also overcharged--one by as much as $5.00! Our gratuities were added to our bills, but they failed to adjust those as well when they had overcharged us. The food was good, but I would think twice about going there again or recommending it for fear that the service would not be up to par.
(2)
Andrea R.

One of the better places to eat at in Plymouth. Whenever I am back in Michigan to visit my parents usually bring me here. I've tried several of their pastas, and they are always fresh & taste home made. I also really like their Greek salad which good and is loaded with feta cheese. I have tried a couple different kinds of fish that have been on special, and they have been tender & flavorful. This place is kind of hidden, off the beaten path & has the ambiance of a high end log cabin. For being in the middle of nowhere they do a really good busy- almost always busy!
(4)
Jack M.

Karls, I have been there 4-5 times. The log cabin is a nice change and gives you an up north feel. The first time I went there a few years ago the food was decent, but the last few time it seems that everything has improved. Good food at good prices. I will go there again.
(3)
Jim M.

I give this place ! star because it's impossible to give them none. Father's Day I was with a party of 20. Reservations were for 12:45 pm. We were told we would have to eat and get out before 3:00 pm because another party was scheduled for then. Service was slow and when finally the food came I found myself setting watching every one else eating. I asked were my Red Snapper Veracruzana was and was told the chef burned it and did not want to serve it. They were cooking another order. Finally I got my food. It was a white lump of something shaped like lobster with Island Jerk sauce on it. I hate Island Jerk sauce, so I scraped it off and tried to eat what ever this lump was. I know it was not Red Snapper and suspect it was an old rubber ball. It could not be cut be cause the knife and fork kept bouncing off the object. I explained to the waitress this was the worst meal I ever tasted in my life.She offered a free second meal, but I turned it down because every one else was finished. She did take the meal off the bill. This being a holiday, the place was crowed and service was slow. Eat here at your own risk. Incidentally I do know the difference between Island Jerk sauce and Veracruzana preparation.
(1)
Jose S.

I was surprised when I discovered this out-of -the-way roadhouse style eatery between Ann Arbor and Plymouth. They offer a lot of ValuPak discount coupons (so "high-brow" it ain't) and the food is OK. A regular stop on the "teenager birthday dinner" circuit.
(3)
Richard M.

Location is not close to the main part of town, but it is very nice and rustic. I came in with a large group (15+) on a summer afternoon. The place was very cold and dark and not very busy. The menu had a good variety of traditional American dishes. I was torn between the Basil, & Chicken Pignola and the New Orleans Beef Tips. I decided on the latter with help from our server. It was very tasty! I cleaned the plate and was wanting more. Would definitely come back next time I'm in town. The service was a little slow, our server didn't bother writing anything down and when the food finally came out, she was just wondering around with the food and shouting for someone to claim it. I know we had a large group, but you think they would have assigned two servers since the place was not busy.
(4)
Stephanie C.

It was ok--nothing spectacular. My husband and I decided to try it before we to a play. The food selection was decent and we were able to be seated right away, though right by the door which was awkward. We order a steak and salmon. My baked potato was not good. The first one was not what I ordered and the second was undercooked. My husband thoroughly enjoyed his roasted red potatoes however. The salads that came with the dinners were pretty pathetic really--a couple grape tomatoes, cucumber on a bed of mixed greens. We said we try it again but we are so so about it overall.
(3)
Mei O.

I sort of felt like this was an upscale Denny's in a log cabin. They had the salad "bar" where you can see the servers prep your salad (or the chef come out and put lettuce in a bowl for some specialty salad). The food was decent, and the prices aren't too shabby either. I had ravioli with a side salad for lunch, and it was about $11. The waitress was very attentive, even though it was the lunch rush.
(3)
Bob B.

The wait has much long, for the lack of quality of the food. Don't waste your time or money.
(1)
Janine S.

Karl's cabin is an actual cabin situated just outside of Ann arbor. Being here on company business, I had the luxury of ordering whatever i wanted (within reason, of course) without having to pay for it. There were about 20 of us there, but it was a Monday night and we were seated quickly. However, when it came time to serve us, they provided us with one server who could not keep orders straight for the life of her. I have not seen someone mess up that many times, especially all on the same night. We were very cordial about it, and i felt a bit bad for her, but still she should be writing things down accurately! I ordered the harvest pasta with shrimp, and it came with long snow peas, which fit in well into a blandish dish. It was not very flavorful, and was plenty oily with olive oil. I think a bit more flavor would have suited it well. The shining star was the appetizer calamari, it was dipped in a buttery garlic sauce that paired well with the crunchiness of the calamari breading.
(3)
Robert K.

I have been here twice & found the food to be well prepared and tasty. The Blackened Catfish is very good. Also, I like how they fix their fish & chips with a breaded coating rather than beer battered & deep fried.
(5)
Liz K.

I live near Karls Kabin. Our neighbors go out on a regular basis. The food is really good, and they have great entertainment. You can go out and have a great dinner, few drinks, and see a show / band for less than $30 per person. The service is really good as well, and we are big tippers hence the higher bill. I don't know any other place around like it, and I would advise going early on the nights they have entertainment. Even during the day they are packed with people. It is a huge place so you won't feel too cramped. It is alot of fun. I wouldn't recommend for a romantic date, but for good food and entertainment, you just can't beat it.
(4)
MIchael R.

This place has ambiance and great food. Nearly everything is homemade with love. The building itself is gorgeous. It's the largest log cabin in Michigan (I believe). Family owned and operated by the Poulos'. My oven-baked chicken parmesan sandwich was heavenly. The hand-cut cole slaw that accompanied it was outstanding. Great bar too.
(4)

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Address : 6005 Gotfredson Rd
Plymouth, MI, 48170
Phone (734) 455-8450
Website https://www.karlscabin.com
Click To Get Directions

Opening Hours

Mon :11:00 am - 10

Specialities

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 : Thu, Fri, Sat
Coat Check : No
Smoking : No
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No

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Karl’s Cabin

6005 Gotfredson Rd, Plymouth, MI, 48170

Karl’s Cabin Menu

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