Ida Red’s Cottage
645 Water St, Saugatuck, MI, 49453
Ida Red’s Cottage Menu
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Diabetics at TGI Friday
If you're a diabetic, then you must be extra careful while dining at TGI Friday. Try the salad menu at TGI Friday to keep your sugar and sodium intake in check. Soups are great to keep you full and satisfied without munching on the unhealthy greased meat-based dishes on TGI Friday menu.
Foods to Avoid at TGI Friday for Diabetics:
Sugar and sodium intake are crucial if you have diabetes. While the salads are the best option for you at TGI Friday, it is recommended to avoid the Pecan-Crusted Chicken Salad containing over 1000 calories and 1,650mg sodium. Also, skip Warm Pretzels with Craft Beer-Cheese dipping sauce as it contains more than 3000mg sodium. It is wise to skip the dessert for diabetics, especially the Brownie Obsession topped with Vanilla ice cream, caramel sauce, and pecans.
Food Suggestions for Diabetics at TGI Friday
Mozzarella Sticks with Marinara Sauce
Nutritional Facts: 560 calories, 33g (Tans. Fat 1g & Sat. Fat 16g), 790mg sodium, 37g carbs, 2g sugar, 6g fiber, 27g Protein
Chicken Caesar Salad with Grilled Chicken (Lunch portion) with Caesar Dressing
Nutritional Facts: 310 calories, 28g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 6g), 800mg sodium, 38g carbs, 3g sugar, 2g fiber, 11g Protein
Kids Meal Chicken Sandwich
Nutritional Facts: 310 calories, 14g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 3.5g), 700mg sodium, 26g carbs, 3g sugar, 2g fiber, 22g Protein
Kid's Side - Seasoned Fries
Nutritional Facts: 320 calories, 16g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 3g), 810mg sodium, 40g carbs, 0g sugar, 5g fiber, 5g Protein
Kid's Side - Fresh Fruit
Nutritional Facts: 45 calories, 0g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 0mg sodium, 12g carbs, 10g sugar, 1g fiber, 1g Protein
Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf® - Tea - English Breakfast
Nutritional Facts: 0 calories, 0g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 10mg sodium, 0g carbs, 0g sugar, 0g fiber, 0g Protein
Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf® - Tea - Mint Green
Nutritional Facts: 0 calories, 0g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 10mg sodium, 0g carbs, 0g sugar, 0g fiber, 0g Protein
Visit below restaurant in Saugatuck for healthy meals suggestion.
High Blood Pressure at TGI Friday
Most foods served at TGI Friday are high in sodium and could be a health risk if you are concerned with your blood pressure levels. You can always opt for salads or soups. However, you must check the sodium levels in burgers, sandwiches, appetizers, and desserts before ordering.
Foods to Avoid at TGI Friday for High Blood Pressure
While the salads are healthy at TGI Friday, you must skip the Pecan-Crusted Chicken Salad. You should also avoid Jack Daniel's Ribs and Shrimp at TGI Fridays for its high sodium content. Appetizers are the best to ensure that you don't eat too much while dining outside. However, you must skip Warm Pretzels with Craft Beer-Cheese Dipping sauce as one serving of this contains over 3000mg sodium.
Food Suggestions for High Blood Pressure at TGI Friday
Caesar Salad with Breadstick with Caesar Dressing
Nutritional Facts: 440 calories, 31g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 7g), 720mg sodium, 33g carbs, 4g sugar, 3g fiber, 9g Protein
House Salad with Breadstick
Nutritional Facts: 220 calories, 8g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 3.5g), 330mg sodium, 29g carbs, 5g sugar, 3g fiber, 8g Protein
Kid's Dessert - Vanilla Ice Cream
Nutritional Facts: 460 calories, 26g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 17g), 170mg sodium, 39g carbs, 5g sugar, 0g fiber, 6g Protein
Kids Meal Pasta & Marinara
Nutritional Facts: 240 calories, 2g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 150mg sodium, 46g carbs, 7g sugar, 4g fiber, 9g Protein
Kid's Side - Carrots w/ Ranch 150
Nutritional Facts: 150 calories, 14g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 2.5g), 340mg sodium, 7g carbs, 3g sugar, 1g fiber, 1g Protein
Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf® - Coffee - Black/Decaf
Nutritional Facts: 5 calories, 0g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 5mg sodium, 0g carbs, 0g sugar, 0g fiber, 0g Protein
Espresso
Nutritional Facts: 5 calories, 0g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 5mg sodium, 1g carbs, 0g sugar, 0g fiber, 0g Protein
Visit below restaurant in Saugatuck for healthy meals suggestion.
High Cholesterol at TGI Friday
Fat and calorie count are normally high at American diners and TGI Friday is no exception in that case. Too greasy and fried items will not only boost your calorie intake but also increase your bad cholesterol levels. You should make smart choices while dining at TGI Friday if you have cholesterol issues.
Foods to Avoid at TGI Friday for High Cholesterol
TGI Fridays are also famous for their ribs and steak. However, it is in the best interest of those concerned with high cholesterol to stay away from Jack Daniel's Ribs and Shrimp. Desserts are a big NO for you if you are worried about your high cholesterol levels. It is recommended to skip all kinds of desserts, especially the Brownie Obsession. You should also skip the meat burgers and sandwiches at TGI Fridays as these items are high in saturated fat which can elevate your LDL levels.
Food Suggestions to Maintain Cholesterol Level at TGI Friday
Traditional Wings BBQ
Nutritional Facts: 500 calories, 24g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 7g), 790mg sodium, 29g carbs, 24g sugar, 1g fiber, 44g Protein
Grilled Chicken Pecan & Blue Cheese Salad (Lunch portion)
Nutritional Facts: 480 calories, 21g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 5g), 870mg sodium, 30g carbs, 8g sugar, 10g fiber, 66g Protein
Chicken Fingers with Honey Mustard ((Hand-Breaded)
Nutritional Facts: 440 calories, 33g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 6g), 700mg sodium, 26g carbs, 8g sugar, 1g fiber, 11g Protein
Kid's Side - Side Salad
Nutritional Facts: 45 calories, 2g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 1g), 90mg sodium, 5g carbs, 1g sugar, 1g fiber, 2g Protein
Kid's Side - Mandarin Oranges
Nutritional Facts: 60 calories, 0g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 10mg sodium, 14g carbs, 14g sugar, 1g fiber, 1g Protein
Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf® - Tea - Apricot
Nutritional Facts: 0 calories, 0g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 10mg sodium, 0g carbs, 0g sugar, 0g fiber, 0g Protein
Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf®
Nutritional Facts: 0 calories, 0g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 10mg sodium, 0g carbs, 0g sugar, 0g fiber, 0g Protein
Visit below restaurant in Saugatuck for healthy meals suggestion.
Q & A on TGI Friday
Can Vegans eat on TGI Friday?
TGI Friday has launched Vegan food options The Beyond Meat Cheeseburger, fries and salads which can be enjoyed by vegan lovers. Though we would advise you to get confirmation from the server at the TGI Friday outlet before ordering the food item.
Does TGI Fridays have vegetarian food?
TGI Friday have options of burgers made from plant-based ingredients which are grilled and seasoned with cheddar cheese, red onions, tomatoes, pickles and lettuce. One can also go for fries, salads or juices.
Does TGI Friday have happy hours?
The happy hour on TGI Friday happens every Friday. Chief marketing officer of TGI Friday says that “people now don't operate on a 9 to 5 schedule”. Thus the company is giving out one whole day when customers can enjoy their favourite meal at pocket-friendly rates.
Is TGI Friday closed on holidays?
TGI Friday is opened on most of the holidays except Easter Sunday and Christmas Day.
What are TGI Friday Opening and Closing Time?
The American restaurant chain is established on some of the largest cities like Miami, Las Vegas, Boston, New York, Atlanta, Dallas, Houston etc. TGI Friday regular restaurant hours from Monday to Sunday is 11:00 AM – 01:00 AM.
How do I find the nearest TGI Friday Restaurant?
There are over 800 TGI Friday restaurants in the United States. The best way to search the nearest TGI Friday location is by using our Restaurant Listings Directory.
Sorry, No Coupons available for this restaurant.
About TGI Friday
TGI Friday is a casual dining American restaurant chain founded in 1965. The term “TGI” is an acronym for Thank God It's and together the name of the restaurant is often announced as Thank God It's Friday. Over the years of its existence, the TV commercials and other advertisement streams have also twisted the phrase a bit and used it as Thank Goodness It's Friday. The restaurant serves alcoholic beverages primarily. However, they are also known for their low-carbohydrate and low-fat menu items to promote a healthy lifestyle. TGI Friday also offers gluten-free items on its menu for those with gluten intolerance.
Besides the cool name, TGI Friday also has an interesting background story of its origin. The founder of the restaurant Alan Stillman lived in a New York-based neighbourhood full of a young crowd, especially girls from the airline and fashion industry. He started the first TGI Friday restaurant in New York in the hope of meeting single women as there weren't any such public place for young men and women to meet. He invested $5000 on his own and borrowed another $5000 from his mother to buy a bar named The Good Tavern and renamed the premise to Thank God It's Friday, inspired from an expression during his time at Bucknell University.
Healthy Food Options at TGI Friday
TGI Friday is a casual dining American restaurant chain serving burgers, sandwiches, steaks & ribs, salads, soups, and desserts. You got to be somewhat cautious while dining at TGI Friday if you are health conscious. You can always opt for light items such as salads or soups to start with. You can also prefer seafood over chicken or other meat to ensure a healthy meal at TGI Friday.
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Address :
645 Water St
Saugatuck, MI, 49453 - Phone (269) 455-9834
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Tue
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : No
Accepts Credit Cards : No
Good For : Brunch
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : No
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Loud
Alcohol : No
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Dogs Allowed : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Alisa V.
The reviews don't lie...this breakfast was amazing. The All Day breakfast with whole grain pancakes gave a delicious taste of everything, and the Charlevoix scramble was HUGE and delicious. The star of the show, however, was the fresh-squeezed OJ. A must-order. I want to go again tomorrow...you should definitely come here when you visit Saugatuck!
(5)Alexis M.
this was quite a regular place for my family over the years. My dad and his buddy would go here 3 times a week over year. Despite all of the complaints about staff and owner/ rules I LOVE this place. My breakfast of choice? 1. French toast 2. OJ ( fresh squeezed) 3. Potato slices all you really need to know, they are set in their ways, and you can't change anything on the menu. Thats for good reason though, its all so GOOD! so brush off the attitudes and enjoy the great food
(4)Ellen F.
I was seriously quite nervous to have brunch at Ida Red's after reading the extremely mixed reviews!!! I felt a bit like another reviewer who said she had a good experience but was nervous the whole time that something crazy would happen. My fiancee, my mom, and I had brunch at Ida Red's recently on a Friday around noon. There was a wait when we arrived and a sign near a clipboard told us to put down our own name. A server behind the counter was keeping an eye on the list, and we were seated in about 10 minutes when a table for our small party opened up. Other larger groups waited longer, and I also saw groups specifically waiting longer to be seated outside, so the wait time can clearly vary. Our server was very friendly and pleasant and quickly brought us water and took our beverage order. The three other servers I could see also seemed friendly--both amongst each other and with patrons. I did not see or experience any rude interactions with waitstaff, as many reviews mentioned. All three of us ordered breakfast food, and it did take about 30 minutes to arrive. My fiancee and I both had a "scramble," which admittedly looked a lot like an omelette, even though the menu specifies how they are different. Mine, the California, was tasty and hot. I had a bite of my mom's griddle cakes and they were delicious! I would definitely get the "Two by Two" breakfast if I went back--two eggs and two pancakes. Overall, I was relieved that we had a good experience at Ida Red's. It's a cute little building and we noticed it right away at the beginning of our week-long stay in Saugatuck. I would say that the food was on the higher end of good diner food, and going close to when they open or waiting until 12:30 or 1:00 seems like a good option. By the time we left around 1:30 the inside was about half full and the deck and patio were still full. Seems like you should expect a wait, but the food was solid and it's one of the only brunch options in Saugatuck!
(4)Paul F.
Very poor service, it's like they hate working there. No acknowledgement when you walk in and heaven for bid you have a question about getting seated, they can't be bothered. However, the pancakes are amazing. Kudos to the kitchen.
(1)Kathryn S.
Horrible service. I was not even greeted when I entered. There was a sign that said "seat yourself." My party and I sat down at an empty table. A waitress came up a few minutes later and told us to get up because there were others waiting before us. She was rude. It took forever for us to get a table and once we did, the waitress messed up our order and did not care one bit. They only accept cash and checks. Do not recommend it to anyone
(1)Ryan S.
Always a great place to get breakfast and walking distance to the waterfront river downtown Saugatuck. Highly recommend anything on their breakfast offerings
(5)Erhan K.
STAY AWAY from here if you need a tasty and clean prepared food !!!!! Our late breakfast was at 1 pm and the place was sort of empty ! We had a very nice and smiling waitress ! Our food was terrible! We ordered the Greek Scramble and the Venetian scramble along with potato fries and fruit salad. We found a long curly hair swimming in our small bowl of fruit salad !!!!! Disgusting !!! How did they manage to put it there, we scratch our heads ! Then potatos had no seasoning or salt whatsoever ........ Then our scrambles....... Terribly cooked with boxed egg mixture which had zero egg flavor and the tomatoes in it were zero cooked as well !! Feta cheese was tasteless too!! How can you do that!! Feta is always tasty else where !! Ambiance and decor looks like a mix and match of mostly stupid things and all is tasteless ; just like the food !!! I had to leave my entire food on the table when we got up! Never again !!! juice was awesome fresh though. I liked it :-)
(1)Raul I.
1. GREAT GREAT food (taste & quality) 2. VERY NICE indoor and outdoor seating 3. Located near the water in Saugatuck I'll take the "sandwich" approach for this review (+, -, +) So the place is adorable and surrounded by plenty of art shops which are typical of nice summer harbor towns. The staff was super friendly and attentive considering how busy the place was on a Sunday morning. The bad? Super long lines. This place is popular. Of course we didn't plan accordingly either, but we did get stuck having to wait over an hour to be seated. Still we were polite and patient and waited and were SUPER relieved when we finally got our seats (4 of us) Next we placed our orders and waited while we admired the decor, the dishware, and the pleasant vibe of it all. Then we waited. and waited, and waited some more. We ended up receiving our plates 30 minutes after placing the order. Needless to say, we were happy campers when we finally received our plates. The eggs were super fluffy and moist, not overcooked at all (which is almost always the case with other places). The pancakes fluffy, airy, and full flavored. The bacon perfectly crispy. I don't know, maybe it takes so long to get your food because of the extra care they take in preparing the food. But it was some of the best brunch food I've ever had. I really really liked it and I would highly recommend it. So the lesson really is, plan ahead, be ready to wait if you're visiting during peak time, and enjoy it. It will be good.
(4)Angela M.
Food is really yummy and the place is so cute and clean! Feels like a small town kitchen with more than small town cuisine. I had the grilled mozzarella/tomato/basil sandwich and the potato/leek soup. French toast is awesome! Definitely go here for breakfast or lunch!
(5)Ellen F.
I was seriously quite nervous to have brunch at Ida Red's after reading the extremely mixed reviews!!! I felt a bit like another reviewer who said she had a good experience but was nervous the whole time that something crazy would happen. My fiancee, my mom, and I had brunch at Ida Red's recently on a Friday around noon. There was a wait when we arrived and a sign near a clipboard told us to put down our own name. A server behind the counter was keeping an eye on the list, and we were seated in about 10 minutes when a table for our small party opened up. Other larger groups waited longer, and I also saw groups specifically waiting longer to be seated outside, so the wait time can clearly vary. Our server was very friendly and pleasant and quickly brought us water and took our beverage order. The three other servers I could see also seemed friendly--both amongst each other and with patrons. I did not see or experience any rude interactions with waitstaff, as many reviews mentioned. All three of us ordered breakfast food, and it did take about 30 minutes to arrive. My fiancee and I both had a "scramble," which admittedly looked a lot like an omelette, even though the menu specifies how they are different. Mine, the California, was tasty and hot. I had a bite of my mom's griddle cakes and they were delicious! I would definitely get the "Two by Two" breakfast if I went back--two eggs and two pancakes. Overall, I was relieved that we had a good experience at Ida Red's. It's a cute little building and we noticed it right away at the beginning of our week-long stay in Saugatuck. I would say that the food was on the higher end of good diner food, and going close to when they open or waiting until 12:30 or 1:00 seems like a good option. By the time we left around 1:30 the inside was about half full and the deck and patio were still full. Seems like you should expect a wait, but the food was solid and it's one of the only brunch options in Saugatuck!
(4)Paul F.
Very poor service, it's like they hate working there. No acknowledgement when you walk in and heaven for bid you have a question about getting seated, they can't be bothered. However, the pancakes are amazing. Kudos to the kitchen.
(1)Kathryn S.
Horrible service. I was not even greeted when I entered. There was a sign that said "seat yourself." My party and I sat down at an empty table. A waitress came up a few minutes later and told us to get up because there were others waiting before us. She was rude. It took forever for us to get a table and once we did, the waitress messed up our order and did not care one bit. They only accept cash and checks. Do not recommend it to anyone
(1)Erhan K.
STAY AWAY from here if you need a tasty and clean prepared food !!!!! Our late breakfast was at 1 pm and the place was sort of empty ! We had a very nice and smiling waitress ! Our food was terrible! We ordered the Greek Scramble and the Venetian scramble along with potato fries and fruit salad. We found a long curly hair swimming in our small bowl of fruit salad !!!!! Disgusting !!! How did they manage to put it there, we scratch our heads ! Then potatos had no seasoning or salt whatsoever ........ Then our scrambles....... Terribly cooked with boxed egg mixture which had zero egg flavor and the tomatoes in it were zero cooked as well !! Feta cheese was tasteless too!! How can you do that!! Feta is always tasty else where !! Ambiance and decor looks like a mix and match of mostly stupid things and all is tasteless ; just like the food !!! I had to leave my entire food on the table when we got up! Never again !!! juice was awesome fresh though. I liked it :-)
(1)Raul I.
1. GREAT GREAT food (taste & quality) 2. VERY NICE indoor and outdoor seating 3. Located near the water in Saugatuck I'll take the "sandwich" approach for this review (+, -, +) So the place is adorable and surrounded by plenty of art shops which are typical of nice summer harbor towns. The staff was super friendly and attentive considering how busy the place was on a Sunday morning. The bad? Super long lines. This place is popular. Of course we didn't plan accordingly either, but we did get stuck having to wait over an hour to be seated. Still we were polite and patient and waited and were SUPER relieved when we finally got our seats (4 of us) Next we placed our orders and waited while we admired the decor, the dishware, and the pleasant vibe of it all. Then we waited. and waited, and waited some more. We ended up receiving our plates 30 minutes after placing the order. Needless to say, we were happy campers when we finally received our plates. The eggs were super fluffy and moist, not overcooked at all (which is almost always the case with other places). The pancakes fluffy, airy, and full flavored. The bacon perfectly crispy. I don't know, maybe it takes so long to get your food because of the extra care they take in preparing the food. But it was some of the best brunch food I've ever had. I really really liked it and I would highly recommend it. So the lesson really is, plan ahead, be ready to wait if you're visiting during peak time, and enjoy it. It will be good.
(4)Angela M.
Food is really yummy and the place is so cute and clean! Feels like a small town kitchen with more than small town cuisine. I had the grilled mozzarella/tomato/basil sandwich and the potato/leek soup. French toast is awesome! Definitely go here for breakfast or lunch!
(5)Christopher D.
This is a weird little place. This food was good but unremarkable, and the level of attitude rivaled Ed Debevic's, only I don't think it was supposed to be funny. Like most places in Saugatuck, it's tiny. I can only imagine what it's like at high season. The place is covered with fairly inhospitable signs. For example, as I entered I was struck with a sign that read, "The wait is long, long. Put your name on the list." This was only after a big sign on the door that admonished customers from bring ANY outside food or drink into the restaurant. The menu was equally belligerent. Ida doesn't do omelettes; they must inconvenience her. Instead she does scrambles, which the menu explains will keep all the healthful benefits of the ingredients but will be wet "so soak it up with your toast." Our server was nice enough but tended to disappear for LONG periods. It turned out she was hand-squeezing fresh orange juice by the glass as it was ordered, which may be Ida's biggest plus. Go with cash or a personal check, because those are the only forms of payment Ida accepts. A personal check? Seriously?!? Ida is an odd duck.
(2)Penny W.
Excellent breakfast choices! The pancakes were some of the best I've ever had and the scrambles were delicious too. Very generous portions.
(5)Donna C.
The best breakfasts in S.W. Michigan! The omelette and scrambled eggs are perfection. Served with fresh fruit, fried potatoes and delicious muffins you can't find a better breakfast anywhere. If you are not up for eggs the whole grain pancakes are great. Lunch is very good also, sandwiches, salads,pasta and specials everyday. Definitely top it off with cooked from scratch "rice pudding" served warm with lots of cinnamon, whipped cream and fresh berries. Your grandmother would be proud of this dish... The wait staff is sassy and fun.
(5)Amy G.
Great food! Beware they only accept cash and checks - no credit cards. I had the scrambler of the day and it was delicious, with fresh ingredients and tons of eggs and the right amount of cheese. My dining partner's scrambler from the menu came out similarly wonderful. The absolute best part were those pancakes (griddle cakes?) they have. The menu description was so intriguing that we got a short stack to try, and I gobbled them up - wow! Small place, we had to wait for a table. I knocked off a star because the coffee isn't good, and coffee is very important at a breakfast place. They're so close to Uncommon Ground - why not use their beans? Service was good, although our food took longer than I would have expected. I would go back, as long as I wasn't starving - and I might try to sneak in a coffee cup from Uncommon Ground!
(4)Chelsea H.
My family and I used to go to Ida Red's every Sunday after church, and always excused the holier-than-thou attitude from the servers because the food really is great. One morning we arrived and we told sternly by a waitress that we, "didn't tip last time you were here, so you have to tip this time before you are seated." UM-- WHAT?? I think my sweet dad was so shocked that he simply handed over a $20 bill before processing what had actually just happened. We essentially had to pay BEFORE we ate. I can't believe the audacity of the server. First of all, my sister paid on the previous visit, and we had dined outside on the patio. She vividly remembers leaving a tip, so either a) someone swiped it or b) it blew away in the wind. Even if we hadn't left a tip (which we always do), why would the server's first conclusion be that we forgot instead of the possibility that we received bad service? For Ida Red's, the latter should always be the presumption. We have never been back, and surely the owners don't care. They will always be busy because their food is good, however it's a shame because with great service they would make even more money. I remember other incidences including the owner yelling at someone who parked in the loading dock and calling to see if they did call-ahead reservations, and the person who answered laughed and hung up. Wow. We can get more for our money and great food elsewhere.
(1)Jenny S.
Buyer beware! A long wait does not make a good breakfast!!! Extremely rude service: my friend and I were kicked out - yes the owner YELLED LOUDLY AND POINTED US TO THE DOOR AND FORCED US OUT for her bringing in a reusable plastic coffee cup that she brought from home (for use while shopping downtown Saugatuck) and didn't realize she couldn't have in the restaurant. We had both already ordered coffee, so it wasn't as if we weren't planning to buy THEIR coffee. The restaurant was packed and we were humiliated to be forced/charged out in front of everyone...so awkward that other guests must have felt uneasy also! Reading other comments here and on tripadvisor.com there is a strong pattern of customer mistreatment. How Ida Red's can stay in business is beyond me. I'd rather give my cash (they don't even take credit cards) to someone who has the decency to show appreciation for it and who comprehends the simple concept of treating customers with respect. Left one star because couldn't leave zero stars...
(1)JM K.
2 stars because it was sunny and warm that day. After waiting 30 min for a table (faster than the 45 announced), we waited another 30 min for eggs, sausage patties and some pastas... Sausages were good though. Just not worth the wait and the attitude of the staff. Avoid.
(2)Steve H.
There are a lot of Saugatuck locals that will recommend Ida Red's for breakfast, which is why my wife and I wound up there. The restaurant has a quaint, cottage feel to it, which appeals to some and not others. I prefer a more contemporary, comfortable environment which Ida Reds does not have. You can expect creaky wood seating that's a little hard on the back an, old American decor you might find at a bed & breakfast. The food was fairly good, not necessarily the greatest breakfast food ever but good. I ordered the California scramble an my only complaint was that they put way too much cheese in it which overpowered the taste of the other ingredients. It tasted like something made by a home cook, not necessarily a trained chef. Now they don't claim to have a culinary master chef, so it's not a big deal. I just would have liked a dish that was a little more planned and gourmet. Overall I'd call Ida Reds a good diner to have a filling meal.
(3)Rob R.
If there is a waiting list do NOT come here. So far a three hour wait! Two hours to get a table. One hour at the table and still no food. The food isn't worth the wait. The 3 servers don't really seem to care either.
(1)Guinness D.
Stay away---this woman/manager/owner is crazy. The day we were there, my wife asked for cheese on her bacon sandwich and was told that they do not serve cheese until lunch. She then proceeded to tell a woman that "You do not need any more food"---inferring that the woman was fat. This place is always packed because it is one of the only places in town for a true breakfast. The food is ok, but it is not worth giving money to ungrateful people. I would suggest taking a short dive to the Calico Kitchen and get the pot roast hash.
(1)Gail B.
So happy that we were able to get a table for breakfast with only a 5 minute wait - a very popular place. The breakfast menu is full of interesting options - no omelets but a large array of "scrambles". The muffins looked delicious, but the blueberry was disappointing since it only had about 5 blueberries in it and had a pronounced nutmeg flavor which did not do anything to enhance the blueberry flavor. I had the eggs Ondine which I would not get again. Two basted eggs with yolks cooked firm over sauteed onions and a piece of dry toast served with a few slices of Roma tomato and 2 black olives with the pits. My husband's scramble with tomato, spinach and cheese was much better. The orange juice was fantastic - fresh squeezed. They don't offer hash browns, unfortunately. The service was a little slow and coffee refills were really slow. They could have used one more server. They offer outside seating - a plus.
(3)Kim P.
All American breakfast, great service with a variety of options. The eggs are where you need to begin - light & fluffy - yum!
(5)Phil C.
Heads up- closed Monday! We went back, and were glad we did! The welcoming atmosphere is equalled only by the amazing breakfast food. Summer season is a little nuts in Saugatuck- had a chance to re-visit the morning of a football game in South Bend (closer than you'd think) , and it was a perfect Fall treat! Pancakes are phenomenal, as are all the home-baked sweet things. Don't be in a hurry; plan to relax a little and enjoy this special spot.
(4)Eric S.
Great breakfast place. We eat here often in the summer. They're small, so be prepared for a wait. The omlets and pancakes are both very good. They have specials each day. The service is good, fairly attentive. Give them a try, and eat outside in the summer.
(4)Alexis M.
this was quite a regular place for my family over the years. My dad and his buddy would go here 3 times a week over year. Despite all of the complaints about staff and owner/ rules I LOVE this place. My breakfast of choice? 1. French toast 2. OJ ( fresh squeezed) 3. Potato slices all you really need to know, they are set in their ways, and you can't change anything on the menu. Thats for good reason though, its all so GOOD! so brush off the attitudes and enjoy the great food
(4)Kal B.
Enjoyed breakfast there on a recent stay in Saugatuck having come multi-recommended and I wasn't disappointed. The coffee and the eggs were wonderful. In October there was no wait when we came in but that may have been because we were pretty much waiting at the door because I needed coffee. Great home town service and ambiance. The muffins looked amazing but I resisted the temptation. I asked if they were Michigan blueberries and she said she wasn't sure since it was off season. Honest answer!
(5)Erik M.
Really long wait for mediocre food
(2)Shammah R.
We visited this restaurant for breakfast today and it was so delicious! I had the daily special which came with 3 tacos filled with egg, bacon, cheese, potato, tomato and cilantro and topped with a side of sour cream and salsa. My husband got the steak and egg meal with a side of potatoes and the steak was so tender, the eggs were fluffy and the potatoes were not like anything I've ever had before...thinly sliced, soft inside and lightly crispy on the outside. My daughter got a blueberry muffin which was made from scratch. Everything tasted fresh and to top it off, I had a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice. The service was excellent and the scenery was a bonus, as we sat outside next to a little waterfall. I can't wait to go back if we ever return to Saugatuck.
(5)Ryan S.
Always a great place to get breakfast and walking distance to the waterfront river downtown Saugatuck. Highly recommend anything on their breakfast offerings
(5)Emily M.
I'm sad to write this review because Ida Reds is one of my favorite spots in Saugatuck. We love the food and often wait a long time to get a table, but think it is worth it. Today I brought in a friend who is Vegan. She asked for a veggie scramble without the eggs. Our waitress said that they don't allow special orders. We tried to persuade her to reconsider or ask the cook to make an exception and she refused. "Sorry, no special orders". So she ended up getting the one thing on the menu that she could eat, hold the cheese and sour cream." Apparently, holding cheese and sour cream is okay, but hold the eggs is totally unacceptable. I was surprised, sad and embarrassed after talking this place up so much. It would have been so easy to fill her order and they refused. Disappointed.
(2)Suzie T.
We've come to Saugatuck for 30yrs and this has been a stop of ours every time. I see mixed reviews and understand almost all of them. It's small, sometimes the waits are very long, (turn around and go somewhere else), more often than not the young wait staff doesn't give a 10 service (this is not cracker barrel), the owner doesn't roam around w/a smile greeting the guests or w/an encounter doesn't seem to care or know great customer service, and the prices aren't comparable to the mom & pop egg/bacon/toast places around town! --Our recent visit, I asked for extremely crisp bacon & had to send it back to microwave till crisp. I ordered OJ that I never received & had it deducted from our check. I ordered a cheese & mushroom omelet which was good but I had to place 2 napkins around in order to sop up the mushroom juice. (the secret to mush. omelets is to sauté the mushrooms first in order to reduce excess moisture, before you add the eggs etc.) (I'm a gourmet home-cook) I ordered sourdough toast, but she brought me English muffins and said that is what I ordered (even though I made it clear and my husband heard it too) --but the BB whole grain pancakes were to die for! All & all the food was very good and maybe the best in town. I'm not sure why the wait staff can't get it right, but it is a big problem, especially if you don't have extremely good patience or are expecting a restaurant that provides 'a 10 for all'. --Why do we continue to come here at least one time per visit? Learn the tricks of the trade. --well, we've learned to come 15min before they open in order to avoid the wait. (Last visit we arrived at 8:02 and the patio was filled, along w/1/2 the restaurant and the orders were being taken, go figure!) If you come early, you won't be crazy upset that the servers make mistakes and your food takes awhile! Their pancakes are the best in town, and the rest is also very good. Maybe tradition for us plays a part!
(4)Kera C.
Ida Reds is know to most as an amazing pancake house but to me it is not to be missed. If you get there near opening you can get a seat pretty fast but the longer you wait the longer it takes. The only type of pancakes is whole grain (there are flavors too) and I have nothing against whole grain but going in I was not expecting a extremely grainy pancake. They were all raw in the middle and really had no flavor. The bacon was good and the fruit was amazing! They have fresh squeezed juice, the best I've ever had! Not a place I will be going back too.
(2)Amy T.
My favorite breakfast, aside from a place in San Francisco that I adored. The wait will be long, the staff will be rude, but it wont matter, the food is that good. Recommend any of the scrambles, fresh squeezed juice and muffins. Don't take your kids; it won't be appreciated.
(5)John L.
Promising cottagey feel, but undistinguished food and a serving crew that makes slow motion seem like time lapse photography. There is a continuous line that goes nowhere. Is this purgatory or am I actually in Hell? Nonetheless the day is pretty and my companions make life worth living. The interminable wait took me to the brink, but they pulled me back. Death in saugatuck although quaint, just doesn't seem the right move now.
(2)Alannah M.
I've only been here a few times each year because I don't like going out to eat too much (I'd lose too much money). I've been here during the tourist season and the winter season as well. I've always had amazing food here and particularly their sesame crusted french toast is superb as well as their steak. The service has always been wonderful. There is about a 10-20 minute wait if not a little more depending on the day. Mind you that is during the tourist season. My family has even gotten to know one of the waitresses and she is amazingly sweet and kind. The restaurant has indoor and outdoor seating. It is good for groups as well as just going by yourself for a meal. But be warned they don't accept credit for payment. Cash and check only.
(4)Michelle T.
In the summer you will have to wait but the food is so worth it. My go to is the "Betty". Scrambled eggs( the best I've ever had) with a fresh yummy muffin and fresh seasonal fruit. A visit to saugatuck requires a visit to Ida reds. You won't regret it ;)
(5)Arlene G.
such great food!! i had an omelette with tomatoes, basil & mozzarella cheese & it was sooooo delicious! it was so cheesy and tasty! i also ordered a side of pancakes & that was pretty good too. our waitress was nice and attentive. definitely a great breakfast to start the day of!
(5)Steve S.
Absurd waits for a table (they were quoting an hour when I left -- for breakfast!), cash only, uncomfortably crowded, and they don't answer the phone. But for those things, I'd give 5 stars, but they detract significantly from the enjoyability of the overall experience. The main upside is that the food is delicious and portions ample. Surroundings are clean and cute, and the staff seems to maintain equanimity despite the evident chaos.
(3)MaryJean W.
If you like sarcasm, this place is for you. My husband was finishing his small take out cup of coffee from Uncommon Grounds when we got seated and was told he could not have it is this restaurant. He asked for a regular coffee cup to pour it into and was declined. So he went back outside to finish this cup of coffee. For all the hullabaloo about the food, which is good, the staff is rude to customers, I have been there 4 times in 4 years and the rudeness has only gotten worse over the years. So, the restaurant can stand on it laurels and has lost me as a paying customer who gives great tips, despite the despicable treatment the waitresses give their customers. I would rather buy my own breakfast food and make it is my cottage or ride out to another breakfast than to waste my time and money at Ida's.
(1)christopher w.
I give it 5 stars because I gave the Elbo Room 4 stars. Both are good but Ida Red's is better. The food was very good, great pancakes, egg dishes, and potatoes. Juices were squeezed fresh and were delicious as well. The previous comments about the staff being aloof were noticed upon arrival as you have to sign in for the "long, long" wait....about 15 minutes. They don't have a cashier so the waiters work as the counter staff as well, which makes them seem disinterested in you as you hungrily wait to be seated. Otherwise, our waitress was friendly and did a great job. Also, this place was spotless and clean. This is the place to have breakfast in Saugatuck.
(5)Annette J.
Now that my beloved Everyday People Cafe doesn't serve breakfast on the weekends anymore we have to turn to the Ida Red's for a breakfast fix. Of course this is not a bad thing since the food is great but the wait can be a little crazy for eggs and pancakes. The space is adorable. A little red cottage with a nice patio housing a few small tables for outdoor seating. Bar seating adds about 6 more seats that you can jump on if you're fast enough (which is what we did this past weekend). The menu is basic--eggs, bacon, pancakes, etc. Their muffins are house-made and really tasty. This past weekend they had a blueberry pancake special and I have intense regrets not getting them since they're in season at the moment and oh so delicious. A few reviewers have stated that the service can be a little rough but we haven't had that problem in the few times we've eaten here. The staff seems as chatty and personable as they can be with a full house and an even fuller wait-list. Sitting at the bar gave us a nice shot of interaction that we might not have had at a table since we made friends with the gentlemen sitting next to us and chatted with them while we waited for our food. I love when that happens! Fortunately we were able to grab some counter seating fairly quickly but if we had to wait for a table I might not have been inclined to stick around. They do what they do REALLY well but they're not reinventing the wheel which makes the wait a little crazy. Based on food and ambiance alone I'd give it 4 stars but the wait factored drops it down to 3.
(3)Sez R.
The wait is too long. The prices are too high. The food is too ordinary. Long wait and high price would have been ok if the food was good. Frustrating experience :(
(1)Heidi S.
Their cottage fried potatoes look like chips at first but once you taste them the potatoey goodness on the inside is amazing! Also the fresh-squeezed grapefruit juice is delish! I recommend waiting for the patio.
(5)Craig B.
Good food for those willing to wait. The establishment does not have very many tables and wait staff will not acknowledge you until they determine a table is open that will suit your needs. The scrambles all look delicious. The pancakes are excellent and have a great chew to them. Not great for large groups.
(3)Sez A.
$8 for three small pieces of French toast and a few slices of strawberry??? Seriously overpriced for what they serve. Food tasted ok; nothing special. I had high hopes from the earlier reviews. They dont take credit cards. They accept personal checks though.
(1)Danielle S.
We were recently in town for the Waterfront Film Festival. Already disappointed once for breakfast at another establishment, I turned to Yelp... Folks, believe it. It's TRUE. Ida Red's really has the best breakfast in town. Take it from an L.A. food snob. Need some proof? I hate French Toast. Nonetheless, the description on the menu at Ida Red's was so enticing, I took a chance and ordered it. The menu described the French Toast as being "like custard." OMG... yes, it's true. it was. I cleaned my plate. Had we more time on our trip, I would've eaten here again. Also of note: their baked goods are truly homemade from scratch and not made from a mix. When you walk in, you'll see trays of homemade muffins stacked behind the counter (see photo). These are fabulous, not too sweet like those factory-baked muffins you'll find at institutional-type diners, but the real thing. Such a rare find. Other positive attributes: Wide array of choice on the menu, including interesting salads, cute homey atmosphere (not gross homey, but cute homey), outdoor or indoor seating, an open kitchen (you can see what goes on in there) and fresh squeezed OJ. Do it. You'll be happy you did.
(5)Dat Boi N.
honestly is a good place and price is right. but just okay. the french toast is damn good and the steak and eggs is 7.5/10. went 2 times in a week. there may be wait but its worth it
(3)Jessica H.
I was extremely nervous about dining here given all of the reviews I'd seen on Yelp about all of the horrible customer service situations with the owner, the servers, etc. Scary! I made sure to leave all beverage receptacles at home before coming within 25 yards of the restaurant. In short, breakfast was delicious. We came here twice while we were in town and I had the pancakes twice. Much better than the fare at Pumpernickel's, where we ate earlier in the week. Both servers were actually really nice, which surprised me given the reviews. That is not to say that I doubt the truth of all of the crazy stories you see in the reviews here - there are multiple signs around the restaurant indicating that you can not bring your own beverages into the restaurant. Also, the people who sat next to us in the outdoor seating area had clearly NOT read the crazy Yelp reviews because they had water bottles with them. Our waitress nervously asked them to remove the bottles from the table. I assume she was attempting to stifle another meltdown situation with the owner. In short, the food is good, but I was a bit on edge while eating there, wondering if someone would start screaming like a maniac for no good reason. We were feeling lazy (this place was close to our house) and liked the food, so we came back. But I think next time we'll explore other places to find one with a more relaxed atmosphere. If the weather is nice try to sit on the deck since the inside of the restaurant is a little dark. Also, they don't take credit or debit cards, and the only nearby ATM across the street seems to be on the fritz, so bring cash with you.
(3)Sue T.
OK small breakfast place with outdoor seating. Whole-grain pancakes are a long way from "light" as the menu describes them, but delicious all the same. Three stars for lack of anything but whole milk. There ought to be a lower fat choice in a place that specializes in breakfast. Waiting for a table is quirky - look for the little notebook and sign yourself in. They manage to find you. Floors and tables were a bit sticky. Women's restroom opens directly into the main dining area.
(3)Karen J.
Ida Red's was recommended to us as a place where we could keep an eye on our dog while we ate breakfast on the patio. Luckily there was no wait and we were seated immediately. Service was a bit slow but very friendly. We really enjoyed our food as we sat watching passers by stop to admire the dog and give her friendly pats. My scrambled eggs were light and fluffy, the pancakes had just a touch of cornmeal that made for an interesting (in a good way) texture, and the OJ was fresh. My partner had a delicious homemade blueberry muffin and coffee that was "OK but nothing special." Having been forewarned that Ida's doesn't take plastic we paid with cash and were on our way, bellies full and with a happy Golden Retriever who enjoyed being the center of attention while we ate.
(4)Anna N.
I really thought this place was cute and my omelet was good, but watery. The french toast my son ordered was great. My daughter thought it was the best bacon she ever had. I would come here again and I would try one of the muffins!
(3)Anj F.
Was excited to try this place and it was only a few minutes wait since it was off-season. Now the bad, coffee was alright, eggs were good, but pancakes were awful! Looking at the menu I thought they were traditional pancakes and they also offered wheat, but unfortunately it appears all their pancakes are brown, lumpy wheat type. Did not care for them at all, and there was no one to try to get something else in place of it since you are lucky to get a refill on coffee. Overall will not be back, cute place but food is not worth it and cash only restuarants are a hassle.
(2)Erin D.
First timer: excellent coffee-the French scramble was good mostly due to perfectly cooked, moist, light eggs-I loved the whole wheat griddlecakes the most-heard tales of obscenely long waits but on a rainy Friday at 11am we were seated immediately
(4)Aimee S.
Skip everything else and treat yourself to the most amazing pancakes in the world (maybe with a side of basted eggs). Save room for fresh-squeezed orange juice too. Truly a gem! We go as often as we possibly can. Be prepared for a wait, but its worth it.
(5)Helene H.
What great excitement when the wait was not incredibly long. We have wanted to try this restaurant for such a long time. Our high hopes were quickly shattered. The wait to get a table was long but the irritating part was the 15 minute wait at the table after we were sat for a waitress to come by to say hello. Then the very long wait after we ordered the food (25 min) for it to arrive. Then the 10 minute wait for complete silverware with our food siiting in front of us. When the bill arrived I was not shocked to find it incorrect. I thought I would approach management to let them know our experience - they may not be aware of what is happening on the floor or in the kitchen. I thought our waitress was rude - the management was WORSE. The food was OK but not worth the aggrevation. Working with chefs and restaurant owners for a career, it saddens me to see their demise when most restaurants would love to have their business. We will be heading back to the area in a few weeks and I know my hard earned money will not be used at this place.
(1)Gareth D.
Service slowness. It's like they seat and serve people in waves -- and these aren't choppy seas. You probably should be in a zen-like lazy Michigan state of mind, but sometimes your blood sugar just needs a little boost and this is probably not the place to get it. People would be a lot happier if you were even partway on your game with the coffee ... with all of it -- hell, hire some kid to sell coffee while people are waiting. Happier customers, high margin sales.
(3)Gabrielle S.
Ok. Not my favorite, but pretty good. Great? The homefries and the buckwheat pancake and outdoor patio. The bad? Nothing super out of the ordinary like crepes or fun sauces(although the pancakes were kind of wholesome and healthy I think...), lots of bee's, and the feta wasn't melted in my omelette. But everything tasted good and if you like an all American sorta brunch- you know, the staples- bacon, eggs, and potatoes, you will love this place.
(3)Gareth D.
Service slowness. It's like they seat and serve people in waves -- and these aren't choppy seas. You probably should be in a zen-like lazy Michigan state of mind, but sometimes your blood sugar just needs a little boost and this is probably not the place to get it. People would be a lot happier if you were even partway on your game with the coffee ... with all of it -- hell, hire some kid to sell coffee while people are waiting. Happier customers, high margin sales.
(3)Gabrielle S.
Ok. Not my favorite, but pretty good. Great? The homefries and the buckwheat pancake and outdoor patio. The bad? Nothing super out of the ordinary like crepes or fun sauces(although the pancakes were kind of wholesome and healthy I think...), lots of bee's, and the feta wasn't melted in my omelette. But everything tasted good and if you like an all American sorta brunch- you know, the staples- bacon, eggs, and potatoes, you will love this place.
(3)Guinness D.
Stay away---this woman/manager/owner is crazy. The day we were there, my wife asked for cheese on her bacon sandwich and was told that they do not serve cheese until lunch. She then proceeded to tell a woman that "You do not need any more food"---inferring that the woman was fat. This place is always packed because it is one of the only places in town for a true breakfast. The food is ok, but it is not worth giving money to ungrateful people. I would suggest taking a short dive to the Calico Kitchen and get the pot roast hash.
(1)Gail B.
So happy that we were able to get a table for breakfast with only a 5 minute wait - a very popular place. The breakfast menu is full of interesting options - no omelets but a large array of "scrambles". The muffins looked delicious, but the blueberry was disappointing since it only had about 5 blueberries in it and had a pronounced nutmeg flavor which did not do anything to enhance the blueberry flavor. I had the eggs Ondine which I would not get again. Two basted eggs with yolks cooked firm over sauteed onions and a piece of dry toast served with a few slices of Roma tomato and 2 black olives with the pits. My husband's scramble with tomato, spinach and cheese was much better. The orange juice was fantastic - fresh squeezed. They don't offer hash browns, unfortunately. The service was a little slow and coffee refills were really slow. They could have used one more server. They offer outside seating - a plus.
(3)Kim P.
All American breakfast, great service with a variety of options. The eggs are where you need to begin - light & fluffy - yum!
(5)rachel s.
We had the most interesting experience at Ida Red's. Two stars is really an average rating between the excellent food quality (4 stars) and the terrible service (zero stars). When we arrived for breakfast it was already bustling, and since it is a small restaurant we waited over half an hour. Which is fine, and we waited patiently, but we were definitely hungry by the time we sat down. Since they did not give us menus, one of our party walked over to the nearby stack of menus and picked some up, only to be told by the waitress "I'll bring you everything you need". Since he already had the menus in his hands, it seemed silly to put them back again, so he started walking back to the table - at which point the waitress said even more forcefully, "I said I'd bring you everything you need!" She was clearly annoyed with us before we had even started. When a different server then came over to our table several minutes later, another member of our party asked if she could have a t-spoon for her coffee. The waitress told her that all spoons were in the dishwasher. What should she stir her coffee with then? The waitress pointed at the knife and fork on the table, and said - "one of those". When we asked for another knife or fork the waitress essentially threw an extra fork onto the table. The other half of the story is that when the food eventually came, it was delicious. However, by that point the service made it difficult to fully enjoy. I think what really struck us about the service is the way the waitstaff reacted with such hostility from the very beginning. It wasn't so much that we weren't given menus or that spoons were unavailable, it was the way our requests and questions were handled with such annoyance and anger as if they were doing us a favor rather than being in the customer service industry. We noticed there seemed to be very few options for a sit down breakfast in the area - maybe that's why they felt they could treat their customers with such disdain and disrespect. Luckily for us, we don't live in the area so we don't ever have to go back.
(2)Rob P.
Well this place was well worth the half hour wait...Great ambiance--cozy cottage feel inside or patio seating outside is great. I had the "all day breakfast" which I'm amazed to say did keep me pretty full all day. They have some awesome pancake recipe that I've never had before and they were pretty tasty. The food was pretty good and the price was surprisingly reasonable--transplant this place to Ann Arbor and every menu item adds $3-$4 at least. Next time I'm in Saugtuck I'll be sure to go back and try something from the lunch menu as the meatball sandwich looked and smelled great too!
(4)Noelene W.
Ida reds is the best breakfast and lunch spot in Saugatuck/Douglas, They always have a wait in season, are sometimes slow on the service but they cook with such fresh ingredients that the food is worth the wait, They have the best omelets, potato pancakes and wonderful sandwiches. While we can't get there for breakfast (because that's what we serve her at Sherwood Forest Bed and Breakfast) we get there for lunch when we can escape to town. You'll love this spot
(5)Hal S.
This is the best place to go -breakfast or lunch -you can't go wrong. The reason you may to wait is because people like to eat here. Eggs Ondine are out of this world as are the turkey-mango sandwiches. The lemon,zucchini, rice soup is sublime. My personal favorite is the grilled ham, cheese and tomato sandwich. yum.
(5)Jennifer R.
I would have given this place 0 stars, but I wasn't allowed. My girlfriends and I came to Saugatuk for weekend getaway and decided to try Ida Reds' for brunch this past Sunday. It was a disaster from the start. We waited for almost an hour and a half for a table. I understand it was Labor Day weekend and there aren't a multitude of brunch places, but an hour and a half is a long time. Every employee we spoke to was incredibly rude, but nothing prepared me for what happened when we finally sat down. We ordered right away, since we had plenty of time to look over the menu. I ordered and simply asked if I could get spinach instead of tomatoes with my eggs. I was promptly told no. Our server told me the cook would never do that, so I politely asked that my order just have no tomatoes (I would survive without spinach). As he went around the table, my girlfriend asked if they had egg whites. Again, another curt no. But he followed that up with something along the lines of, "We can do whatever you'd like, and substitute this for that." I turned to him and said, "But I can't get spinach instead of tomatoes?". BIG mistake. He leaned down towards me, put his hand on my upper shoulder (dangerously close to my neck) and said, "We're busy here. If we took special orders for everyone in here, we'd never get anything done...but I'm sure you wouldn't know that since you've probably never worked in a restaurant." Needless to say, I was floored. I'm from Chicago, have traveled all over, have been to some amazing restaurants with awful service...and I have never experienced this kind of treatment. And by the way, I have worked in a restaurant! Not only did he insult me, but he physically put his hands on me. I'm a 20-something year old female and I just think that is completely wrong and crossing the line. Long story short, we asked to speak to a manager (no manager, only the owner and he couldn't see us). Thankfully, another server brought out our food and took care of us the rest of the meal. I can deal with a bad waiter/waitress or maybe bad food (it happens)...but not something like this. For anyone planning on coming here...don't do it. It's not worth it and no one should ever be treated the way I was. There are plenty of other places to go where I'm sure you won't get manhandled by the staff for asking for spinach on your eggs.
(1)Mike B.
What a cozy place for breakfast! I took the family to Ida Red's for an early breakfast, and wasn't disappointed. The whole-grain pancakes and sesame-crusted French toast were amazing. My daughter loved the "Montana Scramble" with ham, mushroom, and Swiss. I'll be heading back soon to try the eye-popping muffins.
(5)Brandon B.
After passing through a large crowd of people, the sign inside says "the wait is long, long" with a list to put your name on it inside. The food was cheap and great, really chewy pancakes and perfectly toasted pig muscle. We sat at the counter, which is no wait and first-come first-served. The only thing that seemed a little off was the rather cold feeling from the staff, who seemed to emit the "I'm so busy don't even try to look at me much less talk to me" vibe. Still, a very nice brunch.
(4)Karen J.
Ida Red's was recommended to us as a place where we could keep an eye on our dog while we ate breakfast on the patio. Luckily there was no wait and we were seated immediately. Service was a bit slow but very friendly. We really enjoyed our food as we sat watching passers by stop to admire the dog and give her friendly pats. My scrambled eggs were light and fluffy, the pancakes had just a touch of cornmeal that made for an interesting (in a good way) texture, and the OJ was fresh. My partner had a delicious homemade blueberry muffin and coffee that was "OK but nothing special." Having been forewarned that Ida's doesn't take plastic we paid with cash and were on our way, bellies full and with a happy Golden Retriever who enjoyed being the center of attention while we ate.
(4)Anna N.
I really thought this place was cute and my omelet was good, but watery. The french toast my son ordered was great. My daughter thought it was the best bacon she ever had. I would come here again and I would try one of the muffins!
(3)Erin D.
First timer: excellent coffee-the French scramble was good mostly due to perfectly cooked, moist, light eggs-I loved the whole wheat griddlecakes the most-heard tales of obscenely long waits but on a rainy Friday at 11am we were seated immediately
(4)Anj F.
Was excited to try this place and it was only a few minutes wait since it was off-season. Now the bad, coffee was alright, eggs were good, but pancakes were awful! Looking at the menu I thought they were traditional pancakes and they also offered wheat, but unfortunately it appears all their pancakes are brown, lumpy wheat type. Did not care for them at all, and there was no one to try to get something else in place of it since you are lucky to get a refill on coffee. Overall will not be back, cute place but food is not worth it and cash only restuarants are a hassle.
(2)Aimee S.
Skip everything else and treat yourself to the most amazing pancakes in the world (maybe with a side of basted eggs). Save room for fresh-squeezed orange juice too. Truly a gem! We go as often as we possibly can. Be prepared for a wait, but its worth it.
(5)Helene H.
What great excitement when the wait was not incredibly long. We have wanted to try this restaurant for such a long time. Our high hopes were quickly shattered. The wait to get a table was long but the irritating part was the 15 minute wait at the table after we were sat for a waitress to come by to say hello. Then the very long wait after we ordered the food (25 min) for it to arrive. Then the 10 minute wait for complete silverware with our food siiting in front of us. When the bill arrived I was not shocked to find it incorrect. I thought I would approach management to let them know our experience - they may not be aware of what is happening on the floor or in the kitchen. I thought our waitress was rude - the management was WORSE. The food was OK but not worth the aggrevation. Working with chefs and restaurant owners for a career, it saddens me to see their demise when most restaurants would love to have their business. We will be heading back to the area in a few weeks and I know my hard earned money will not be used at this place.
(1)Amy A.
The food was ok, service was quick, and the porch seating was lovely, but I have to severely ding Ida Red's on stars for the extreme discomfort I experienced eating there one summer day. We were just seated when someone on the staff started screaming at a customer. The cook (?) also came outside to yell at the guy, then grabbed him by the front of his shirt, and shoved him (in front of his small children, who were frightened and crying). Earlier, I had overhead the conversation between the customer and the staff and while the customer was a bit rude , he apologized, and he did not deserve to be physcially accosted. When he was grabbed, he was standing on the side walk, so he wasn't even in the restaurant anymore. I would never expect staff to get so violent, especially in front of children! Terrible.
(1)Heather O.
We just spent our last two mornings breakfasting here, and found the servers busy, yet accurate and welcoming. My asparagus/egg scramble dish was served with scrumptious whole-grain toast, and the amazing pancakes are a modern, wholesome twist on an old breakfast standby. They use top-notch ingredients prepared with care. Try the orange juice!
(5)Bill W.
We have been patrons of this restaurant for years and we believe they make the best pancakes around. If you get there early enough, you can avoid the long wait, however, the wait after ordering the food can be disconcerting at times, as well. Although, I would recommend it, I do so with some reservation because of the wait times.
(3)Phil C.
Heads up- closed Monday! We went back, and were glad we did! The welcoming atmosphere is equalled only by the amazing breakfast food. Summer season is a little nuts in Saugatuck- had a chance to re-visit the morning of a football game in South Bend (closer than you'd think) , and it was a perfect Fall treat! Pancakes are phenomenal, as are all the home-baked sweet things. Don't be in a hurry; plan to relax a little and enjoy this special spot.
(4)Eric S.
Great breakfast place. We eat here often in the summer. They're small, so be prepared for a wait. The omlets and pancakes are both very good. They have specials each day. The service is good, fairly attentive. Give them a try, and eat outside in the summer.
(4)Miike G.
What a surprise breakfast! This place has some of the tastiest and largest omelette's I have ever had. Long waits if you don't get there early enough. Will be back next time I'm in saugatuck.
(5)Alisa V.
The reviews don't lie...this breakfast was amazing. The All Day breakfast with whole grain pancakes gave a delicious taste of everything, and the Charlevoix scramble was HUGE and delicious. The star of the show, however, was the fresh-squeezed OJ. A must-order. I want to go again tomorrow...you should definitely come here when you visit Saugatuck!
(5)Luke S.
Found this old-fashioned diner of sorts while on a weekend getaway and loved it! The place looks like an old cottage and is warm and inviting. The friendly small-town service was also refreshing. I got a ham and cheese melt that was delicious. I'm always leery about getting anything with ham in it at a restaurant because I'm kind of picky. Ham can be a fatty meat and I like mine thinly sliced and sans fat. And while the sandwich was perfect, their home fries were what really won me over. I'm not sure what makes these potato slices so good but you must order them regardless of what you get for your meal. Great comfort food!
(4)Craig B.
Good food for those willing to wait. The establishment does not have very many tables and wait staff will not acknowledge you until they determine a table is open that will suit your needs. The scrambles all look delicious. The pancakes are excellent and have a great chew to them. Not great for large groups.
(3)Alannah M.
I've only been here a few times each year because I don't like going out to eat too much (I'd lose too much money). I've been here during the tourist season and the winter season as well. I've always had amazing food here and particularly their sesame crusted french toast is superb as well as their steak. The service has always been wonderful. There is about a 10-20 minute wait if not a little more depending on the day. Mind you that is during the tourist season. My family has even gotten to know one of the waitresses and she is amazingly sweet and kind. The restaurant has indoor and outdoor seating. It is good for groups as well as just going by yourself for a meal. But be warned they don't accept credit for payment. Cash and check only.
(4)Michelle T.
In the summer you will have to wait but the food is so worth it. My go to is the "Betty". Scrambled eggs( the best I've ever had) with a fresh yummy muffin and fresh seasonal fruit. A visit to saugatuck requires a visit to Ida reds. You won't regret it ;)
(5)Arlene G.
such great food!! i had an omelette with tomatoes, basil & mozzarella cheese & it was sooooo delicious! it was so cheesy and tasty! i also ordered a side of pancakes & that was pretty good too. our waitress was nice and attentive. definitely a great breakfast to start the day of!
(5)Steve S.
Absurd waits for a table (they were quoting an hour when I left -- for breakfast!), cash only, uncomfortably crowded, and they don't answer the phone. But for those things, I'd give 5 stars, but they detract significantly from the enjoyability of the overall experience. The main upside is that the food is delicious and portions ample. Surroundings are clean and cute, and the staff seems to maintain equanimity despite the evident chaos.
(3)MaryJean W.
If you like sarcasm, this place is for you. My husband was finishing his small take out cup of coffee from Uncommon Grounds when we got seated and was told he could not have it is this restaurant. He asked for a regular coffee cup to pour it into and was declined. So he went back outside to finish this cup of coffee. For all the hullabaloo about the food, which is good, the staff is rude to customers, I have been there 4 times in 4 years and the rudeness has only gotten worse over the years. So, the restaurant can stand on it laurels and has lost me as a paying customer who gives great tips, despite the despicable treatment the waitresses give their customers. I would rather buy my own breakfast food and make it is my cottage or ride out to another breakfast than to waste my time and money at Ida's.
(1)christopher w.
I give it 5 stars because I gave the Elbo Room 4 stars. Both are good but Ida Red's is better. The food was very good, great pancakes, egg dishes, and potatoes. Juices were squeezed fresh and were delicious as well. The previous comments about the staff being aloof were noticed upon arrival as you have to sign in for the "long, long" wait....about 15 minutes. They don't have a cashier so the waiters work as the counter staff as well, which makes them seem disinterested in you as you hungrily wait to be seated. Otherwise, our waitress was friendly and did a great job. Also, this place was spotless and clean. This is the place to have breakfast in Saugatuck.
(5)Emily M.
I'm sad to write this review because Ida Reds is one of my favorite spots in Saugatuck. We love the food and often wait a long time to get a table, but think it is worth it. Today I brought in a friend who is Vegan. She asked for a veggie scramble without the eggs. Our waitress said that they don't allow special orders. We tried to persuade her to reconsider or ask the cook to make an exception and she refused. "Sorry, no special orders". So she ended up getting the one thing on the menu that she could eat, hold the cheese and sour cream." Apparently, holding cheese and sour cream is okay, but hold the eggs is totally unacceptable. I was surprised, sad and embarrassed after talking this place up so much. It would have been so easy to fill her order and they refused. Disappointed.
(2)Annette J.
Now that my beloved Everyday People Cafe doesn't serve breakfast on the weekends anymore we have to turn to the Ida Red's for a breakfast fix. Of course this is not a bad thing since the food is great but the wait can be a little crazy for eggs and pancakes. The space is adorable. A little red cottage with a nice patio housing a few small tables for outdoor seating. Bar seating adds about 6 more seats that you can jump on if you're fast enough (which is what we did this past weekend). The menu is basic--eggs, bacon, pancakes, etc. Their muffins are house-made and really tasty. This past weekend they had a blueberry pancake special and I have intense regrets not getting them since they're in season at the moment and oh so delicious. A few reviewers have stated that the service can be a little rough but we haven't had that problem in the few times we've eaten here. The staff seems as chatty and personable as they can be with a full house and an even fuller wait-list. Sitting at the bar gave us a nice shot of interaction that we might not have had at a table since we made friends with the gentlemen sitting next to us and chatted with them while we waited for our food. I love when that happens! Fortunately we were able to grab some counter seating fairly quickly but if we had to wait for a table I might not have been inclined to stick around. They do what they do REALLY well but they're not reinventing the wheel which makes the wait a little crazy. Based on food and ambiance alone I'd give it 4 stars but the wait factored drops it down to 3.
(3)Sez R.
The wait is too long. The prices are too high. The food is too ordinary. Long wait and high price would have been ok if the food was good. Frustrating experience :(
(1)Heidi S.
Their cottage fried potatoes look like chips at first but once you taste them the potatoey goodness on the inside is amazing! Also the fresh-squeezed grapefruit juice is delish! I recommend waiting for the patio.
(5)Danielle S.
We were recently in town for the Waterfront Film Festival. Already disappointed once for breakfast at another establishment, I turned to Yelp... Folks, believe it. It's TRUE. Ida Red's really has the best breakfast in town. Take it from an L.A. food snob. Need some proof? I hate French Toast. Nonetheless, the description on the menu at Ida Red's was so enticing, I took a chance and ordered it. The menu described the French Toast as being "like custard." OMG... yes, it's true. it was. I cleaned my plate. Had we more time on our trip, I would've eaten here again. Also of note: their baked goods are truly homemade from scratch and not made from a mix. When you walk in, you'll see trays of homemade muffins stacked behind the counter (see photo). These are fabulous, not too sweet like those factory-baked muffins you'll find at institutional-type diners, but the real thing. Such a rare find. Other positive attributes: Wide array of choice on the menu, including interesting salads, cute homey atmosphere (not gross homey, but cute homey), outdoor or indoor seating, an open kitchen (you can see what goes on in there) and fresh squeezed OJ. Do it. You'll be happy you did.
(5)Dat Boi N.
honestly is a good place and price is right. but just okay. the french toast is damn good and the steak and eggs is 7.5/10. went 2 times in a week. there may be wait but its worth it
(3)Jessica H.
I was extremely nervous about dining here given all of the reviews I'd seen on Yelp about all of the horrible customer service situations with the owner, the servers, etc. Scary! I made sure to leave all beverage receptacles at home before coming within 25 yards of the restaurant. In short, breakfast was delicious. We came here twice while we were in town and I had the pancakes twice. Much better than the fare at Pumpernickel's, where we ate earlier in the week. Both servers were actually really nice, which surprised me given the reviews. That is not to say that I doubt the truth of all of the crazy stories you see in the reviews here - there are multiple signs around the restaurant indicating that you can not bring your own beverages into the restaurant. Also, the people who sat next to us in the outdoor seating area had clearly NOT read the crazy Yelp reviews because they had water bottles with them. Our waitress nervously asked them to remove the bottles from the table. I assume she was attempting to stifle another meltdown situation with the owner. In short, the food is good, but I was a bit on edge while eating there, wondering if someone would start screaming like a maniac for no good reason. We were feeling lazy (this place was close to our house) and liked the food, so we came back. But I think next time we'll explore other places to find one with a more relaxed atmosphere. If the weather is nice try to sit on the deck since the inside of the restaurant is a little dark. Also, they don't take credit or debit cards, and the only nearby ATM across the street seems to be on the fritz, so bring cash with you.
(3)Sue T.
OK small breakfast place with outdoor seating. Whole-grain pancakes are a long way from "light" as the menu describes them, but delicious all the same. Three stars for lack of anything but whole milk. There ought to be a lower fat choice in a place that specializes in breakfast. Waiting for a table is quirky - look for the little notebook and sign yourself in. They manage to find you. Floors and tables were a bit sticky. Women's restroom opens directly into the main dining area.
(3)Kal B.
Enjoyed breakfast there on a recent stay in Saugatuck having come multi-recommended and I wasn't disappointed. The coffee and the eggs were wonderful. In October there was no wait when we came in but that may have been because we were pretty much waiting at the door because I needed coffee. Great home town service and ambiance. The muffins looked amazing but I resisted the temptation. I asked if they were Michigan blueberries and she said she wasn't sure since it was off season. Honest answer!
(5)Erik M.
Really long wait for mediocre food
(2)Shammah R.
We visited this restaurant for breakfast today and it was so delicious! I had the daily special which came with 3 tacos filled with egg, bacon, cheese, potato, tomato and cilantro and topped with a side of sour cream and salsa. My husband got the steak and egg meal with a side of potatoes and the steak was so tender, the eggs were fluffy and the potatoes were not like anything I've ever had before...thinly sliced, soft inside and lightly crispy on the outside. My daughter got a blueberry muffin which was made from scratch. Everything tasted fresh and to top it off, I had a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice. The service was excellent and the scenery was a bonus, as we sat outside next to a little waterfall. I can't wait to go back if we ever return to Saugatuck.
(5)Sez A.
$8 for three small pieces of French toast and a few slices of strawberry??? Seriously overpriced for what they serve. Food tasted ok; nothing special. I had high hopes from the earlier reviews. They dont take credit cards. They accept personal checks though.
(1)Christopher D.
This is a weird little place. This food was good but unremarkable, and the level of attitude rivaled Ed Debevic's, only I don't think it was supposed to be funny. Like most places in Saugatuck, it's tiny. I can only imagine what it's like at high season. The place is covered with fairly inhospitable signs. For example, as I entered I was struck with a sign that read, "The wait is long, long. Put your name on the list." This was only after a big sign on the door that admonished customers from bring ANY outside food or drink into the restaurant. The menu was equally belligerent. Ida doesn't do omelettes; they must inconvenience her. Instead she does scrambles, which the menu explains will keep all the healthful benefits of the ingredients but will be wet "so soak it up with your toast." Our server was nice enough but tended to disappear for LONG periods. It turned out she was hand-squeezing fresh orange juice by the glass as it was ordered, which may be Ida's biggest plus. Go with cash or a personal check, because those are the only forms of payment Ida accepts. A personal check? Seriously?!? Ida is an odd duck.
(2)Penny W.
Excellent breakfast choices! The pancakes were some of the best I've ever had and the scrambles were delicious too. Very generous portions.
(5)Donna C.
The best breakfasts in S.W. Michigan! The omelette and scrambled eggs are perfection. Served with fresh fruit, fried potatoes and delicious muffins you can't find a better breakfast anywhere. If you are not up for eggs the whole grain pancakes are great. Lunch is very good also, sandwiches, salads,pasta and specials everyday. Definitely top it off with cooked from scratch "rice pudding" served warm with lots of cinnamon, whipped cream and fresh berries. Your grandmother would be proud of this dish... The wait staff is sassy and fun.
(5)Chelsea H.
My family and I used to go to Ida Red's every Sunday after church, and always excused the holier-than-thou attitude from the servers because the food really is great. One morning we arrived and we told sternly by a waitress that we, "didn't tip last time you were here, so you have to tip this time before you are seated." UM-- WHAT?? I think my sweet dad was so shocked that he simply handed over a $20 bill before processing what had actually just happened. We essentially had to pay BEFORE we ate. I can't believe the audacity of the server. First of all, my sister paid on the previous visit, and we had dined outside on the patio. She vividly remembers leaving a tip, so either a) someone swiped it or b) it blew away in the wind. Even if we hadn't left a tip (which we always do), why would the server's first conclusion be that we forgot instead of the possibility that we received bad service? For Ida Red's, the latter should always be the presumption. We have never been back, and surely the owners don't care. They will always be busy because their food is good, however it's a shame because with great service they would make even more money. I remember other incidences including the owner yelling at someone who parked in the loading dock and calling to see if they did call-ahead reservations, and the person who answered laughed and hung up. Wow. We can get more for our money and great food elsewhere.
(1)Jenny S.
Buyer beware! A long wait does not make a good breakfast!!! Extremely rude service: my friend and I were kicked out - yes the owner YELLED LOUDLY AND POINTED US TO THE DOOR AND FORCED US OUT for her bringing in a reusable plastic coffee cup that she brought from home (for use while shopping downtown Saugatuck) and didn't realize she couldn't have in the restaurant. We had both already ordered coffee, so it wasn't as if we weren't planning to buy THEIR coffee. The restaurant was packed and we were humiliated to be forced/charged out in front of everyone...so awkward that other guests must have felt uneasy also! Reading other comments here and on tripadvisor.com there is a strong pattern of customer mistreatment. How Ida Red's can stay in business is beyond me. I'd rather give my cash (they don't even take credit cards) to someone who has the decency to show appreciation for it and who comprehends the simple concept of treating customers with respect. Left one star because couldn't leave zero stars...
(1)JM K.
2 stars because it was sunny and warm that day. After waiting 30 min for a table (faster than the 45 announced), we waited another 30 min for eggs, sausage patties and some pastas... Sausages were good though. Just not worth the wait and the attitude of the staff. Avoid.
(2)Amy G.
Great food! Beware they only accept cash and checks - no credit cards. I had the scrambler of the day and it was delicious, with fresh ingredients and tons of eggs and the right amount of cheese. My dining partner's scrambler from the menu came out similarly wonderful. The absolute best part were those pancakes (griddle cakes?) they have. The menu description was so intriguing that we got a short stack to try, and I gobbled them up - wow! Small place, we had to wait for a table. I knocked off a star because the coffee isn't good, and coffee is very important at a breakfast place. They're so close to Uncommon Ground - why not use their beans? Service was good, although our food took longer than I would have expected. I would go back, as long as I wasn't starving - and I might try to sneak in a coffee cup from Uncommon Ground!
(4)Steve H.
There are a lot of Saugatuck locals that will recommend Ida Red's for breakfast, which is why my wife and I wound up there. The restaurant has a quaint, cottage feel to it, which appeals to some and not others. I prefer a more contemporary, comfortable environment which Ida Reds does not have. You can expect creaky wood seating that's a little hard on the back an, old American decor you might find at a bed & breakfast. The food was fairly good, not necessarily the greatest breakfast food ever but good. I ordered the California scramble an my only complaint was that they put way too much cheese in it which overpowered the taste of the other ingredients. It tasted like something made by a home cook, not necessarily a trained chef. Now they don't claim to have a culinary master chef, so it's not a big deal. I just would have liked a dish that was a little more planned and gourmet. Overall I'd call Ida Reds a good diner to have a filling meal.
(3)Rob R.
If there is a waiting list do NOT come here. So far a three hour wait! Two hours to get a table. One hour at the table and still no food. The food isn't worth the wait. The 3 servers don't really seem to care either.
(1)Suzie T.
We've come to Saugatuck for 30yrs and this has been a stop of ours every time. I see mixed reviews and understand almost all of them. It's small, sometimes the waits are very long, (turn around and go somewhere else), more often than not the young wait staff doesn't give a 10 service (this is not cracker barrel), the owner doesn't roam around w/a smile greeting the guests or w/an encounter doesn't seem to care or know great customer service, and the prices aren't comparable to the mom & pop egg/bacon/toast places around town! --Our recent visit, I asked for extremely crisp bacon & had to send it back to microwave till crisp. I ordered OJ that I never received & had it deducted from our check. I ordered a cheese & mushroom omelet which was good but I had to place 2 napkins around in order to sop up the mushroom juice. (the secret to mush. omelets is to sauté the mushrooms first in order to reduce excess moisture, before you add the eggs etc.) (I'm a gourmet home-cook) I ordered sourdough toast, but she brought me English muffins and said that is what I ordered (even though I made it clear and my husband heard it too) --but the BB whole grain pancakes were to die for! All & all the food was very good and maybe the best in town. I'm not sure why the wait staff can't get it right, but it is a big problem, especially if you don't have extremely good patience or are expecting a restaurant that provides 'a 10 for all'. --Why do we continue to come here at least one time per visit? Learn the tricks of the trade. --well, we've learned to come 15min before they open in order to avoid the wait. (Last visit we arrived at 8:02 and the patio was filled, along w/1/2 the restaurant and the orders were being taken, go figure!) If you come early, you won't be crazy upset that the servers make mistakes and your food takes awhile! Their pancakes are the best in town, and the rest is also very good. Maybe tradition for us plays a part!
(4)Kera C.
Ida Reds is know to most as an amazing pancake house but to me it is not to be missed. If you get there near opening you can get a seat pretty fast but the longer you wait the longer it takes. The only type of pancakes is whole grain (there are flavors too) and I have nothing against whole grain but going in I was not expecting a extremely grainy pancake. They were all raw in the middle and really had no flavor. The bacon was good and the fruit was amazing! They have fresh squeezed juice, the best I've ever had! Not a place I will be going back too.
(2)Amy T.
My favorite breakfast, aside from a place in San Francisco that I adored. The wait will be long, the staff will be rude, but it wont matter, the food is that good. Recommend any of the scrambles, fresh squeezed juice and muffins. Don't take your kids; it won't be appreciated.
(5)John L.
Promising cottagey feel, but undistinguished food and a serving crew that makes slow motion seem like time lapse photography. There is a continuous line that goes nowhere. Is this purgatory or am I actually in Hell? Nonetheless the day is pretty and my companions make life worth living. The interminable wait took me to the brink, but they pulled me back. Death in saugatuck although quaint, just doesn't seem the right move now.
(2)Ellen F.
I was seriously quite nervous to have brunch at Ida Red's after reading the extremely mixed reviews!!! I felt a bit like another reviewer who said she had a good experience but was nervous the whole time that something crazy would happen. My fiancee, my mom, and I had brunch at Ida Red's recently on a Friday around noon. There was a wait when we arrived and a sign near a clipboard told us to put down our own name. A server behind the counter was keeping an eye on the list, and we were seated in about 10 minutes when a table for our small party opened up. Other larger groups waited longer, and I also saw groups specifically waiting longer to be seated outside, so the wait time can clearly vary. Our server was very friendly and pleasant and quickly brought us water and took our beverage order. The three other servers I could see also seemed friendly--both amongst each other and with patrons. I did not see or experience any rude interactions with waitstaff, as many reviews mentioned. All three of us ordered breakfast food, and it did take about 30 minutes to arrive. My fiancee and I both had a "scramble," which admittedly looked a lot like an omelette, even though the menu specifies how they are different. Mine, the California, was tasty and hot. I had a bite of my mom's griddle cakes and they were delicious! I would definitely get the "Two by Two" breakfast if I went back--two eggs and two pancakes. Overall, I was relieved that we had a good experience at Ida Red's. It's a cute little building and we noticed it right away at the beginning of our week-long stay in Saugatuck. I would say that the food was on the higher end of good diner food, and going close to when they open or waiting until 12:30 or 1:00 seems like a good option. By the time we left around 1:30 the inside was about half full and the deck and patio were still full. Seems like you should expect a wait, but the food was solid and it's one of the only brunch options in Saugatuck!
(4)Paul F.
Very poor service, it's like they hate working there. No acknowledgement when you walk in and heaven for bid you have a question about getting seated, they can't be bothered. However, the pancakes are amazing. Kudos to the kitchen.
(1)Kathryn S.
Horrible service. I was not even greeted when I entered. There was a sign that said "seat yourself." My party and I sat down at an empty table. A waitress came up a few minutes later and told us to get up because there were others waiting before us. She was rude. It took forever for us to get a table and once we did, the waitress messed up our order and did not care one bit. They only accept cash and checks. Do not recommend it to anyone
(1)Amy T.
My favorite breakfast, aside from a place in San Francisco that I adored. The wait will be long, the staff will be rude, but it wont matter, the food is that good. Recommend any of the scrambles, fresh squeezed juice and muffins. Don't take your kids; it won't be appreciated.
(5)John L.
Promising cottagey feel, but undistinguished food and a serving crew that makes slow motion seem like time lapse photography. There is a continuous line that goes nowhere. Is this purgatory or am I actually in Hell? Nonetheless the day is pretty and my companions make life worth living. The interminable wait took me to the brink, but they pulled me back. Death in saugatuck although quaint, just doesn't seem the right move now.
(2)Alannah M.
I've only been here a few times each year because I don't like going out to eat too much (I'd lose too much money). I've been here during the tourist season and the winter season as well. I've always had amazing food here and particularly their sesame crusted french toast is superb as well as their steak. The service has always been wonderful. There is about a 10-20 minute wait if not a little more depending on the day. Mind you that is during the tourist season. My family has even gotten to know one of the waitresses and she is amazingly sweet and kind. The restaurant has indoor and outdoor seating. It is good for groups as well as just going by yourself for a meal. But be warned they don't accept credit for payment. Cash and check only.
(4)Michelle T.
In the summer you will have to wait but the food is so worth it. My go to is the "Betty". Scrambled eggs( the best I've ever had) with a fresh yummy muffin and fresh seasonal fruit. A visit to saugatuck requires a visit to Ida reds. You won't regret it ;)
(5)Ryan S.
Always a great place to get breakfast and walking distance to the waterfront river downtown Saugatuck. Highly recommend anything on their breakfast offerings
(5)Christopher D.
This is a weird little place. This food was good but unremarkable, and the level of attitude rivaled Ed Debevic's, only I don't think it was supposed to be funny. Like most places in Saugatuck, it's tiny. I can only imagine what it's like at high season. The place is covered with fairly inhospitable signs. For example, as I entered I was struck with a sign that read, "The wait is long, long. Put your name on the list." This was only after a big sign on the door that admonished customers from bring ANY outside food or drink into the restaurant. The menu was equally belligerent. Ida doesn't do omelettes; they must inconvenience her. Instead she does scrambles, which the menu explains will keep all the healthful benefits of the ingredients but will be wet "so soak it up with your toast." Our server was nice enough but tended to disappear for LONG periods. It turned out she was hand-squeezing fresh orange juice by the glass as it was ordered, which may be Ida's biggest plus. Go with cash or a personal check, because those are the only forms of payment Ida accepts. A personal check? Seriously?!? Ida is an odd duck.
(2)Penny W.
Excellent breakfast choices! The pancakes were some of the best I've ever had and the scrambles were delicious too. Very generous portions.
(5)Donna C.
The best breakfasts in S.W. Michigan! The omelette and scrambled eggs are perfection. Served with fresh fruit, fried potatoes and delicious muffins you can't find a better breakfast anywhere. If you are not up for eggs the whole grain pancakes are great. Lunch is very good also, sandwiches, salads,pasta and specials everyday. Definitely top it off with cooked from scratch "rice pudding" served warm with lots of cinnamon, whipped cream and fresh berries. Your grandmother would be proud of this dish... The wait staff is sassy and fun.
(5)Chelsea H.
My family and I used to go to Ida Red's every Sunday after church, and always excused the holier-than-thou attitude from the servers because the food really is great. One morning we arrived and we told sternly by a waitress that we, "didn't tip last time you were here, so you have to tip this time before you are seated." UM-- WHAT?? I think my sweet dad was so shocked that he simply handed over a $20 bill before processing what had actually just happened. We essentially had to pay BEFORE we ate. I can't believe the audacity of the server. First of all, my sister paid on the previous visit, and we had dined outside on the patio. She vividly remembers leaving a tip, so either a) someone swiped it or b) it blew away in the wind. Even if we hadn't left a tip (which we always do), why would the server's first conclusion be that we forgot instead of the possibility that we received bad service? For Ida Red's, the latter should always be the presumption. We have never been back, and surely the owners don't care. They will always be busy because their food is good, however it's a shame because with great service they would make even more money. I remember other incidences including the owner yelling at someone who parked in the loading dock and calling to see if they did call-ahead reservations, and the person who answered laughed and hung up. Wow. We can get more for our money and great food elsewhere.
(1)Jenny S.
Buyer beware! A long wait does not make a good breakfast!!! Extremely rude service: my friend and I were kicked out - yes the owner YELLED LOUDLY AND POINTED US TO THE DOOR AND FORCED US OUT for her bringing in a reusable plastic coffee cup that she brought from home (for use while shopping downtown Saugatuck) and didn't realize she couldn't have in the restaurant. We had both already ordered coffee, so it wasn't as if we weren't planning to buy THEIR coffee. The restaurant was packed and we were humiliated to be forced/charged out in front of everyone...so awkward that other guests must have felt uneasy also! Reading other comments here and on tripadvisor.com there is a strong pattern of customer mistreatment. How Ida Red's can stay in business is beyond me. I'd rather give my cash (they don't even take credit cards) to someone who has the decency to show appreciation for it and who comprehends the simple concept of treating customers with respect. Left one star because couldn't leave zero stars...
(1)JM K.
2 stars because it was sunny and warm that day. After waiting 30 min for a table (faster than the 45 announced), we waited another 30 min for eggs, sausage patties and some pastas... Sausages were good though. Just not worth the wait and the attitude of the staff. Avoid.
(2)Hal S.
This is the best place to go -breakfast or lunch -you can't go wrong. The reason you may to wait is because people like to eat here. Eggs Ondine are out of this world as are the turkey-mango sandwiches. The lemon,zucchini, rice soup is sublime. My personal favorite is the grilled ham, cheese and tomato sandwich. yum.
(5)Eric S.
Great breakfast place. We eat here often in the summer. They're small, so be prepared for a wait. The omlets and pancakes are both very good. They have specials each day. The service is good, fairly attentive. Give them a try, and eat outside in the summer.
(4)Miike G.
What a surprise breakfast! This place has some of the tastiest and largest omelette's I have ever had. Long waits if you don't get there early enough. Will be back next time I'm in saugatuck.
(5)Alisa V.
The reviews don't lie...this breakfast was amazing. The All Day breakfast with whole grain pancakes gave a delicious taste of everything, and the Charlevoix scramble was HUGE and delicious. The star of the show, however, was the fresh-squeezed OJ. A must-order. I want to go again tomorrow...you should definitely come here when you visit Saugatuck!
(5)rachel s.
We had the most interesting experience at Ida Red's. Two stars is really an average rating between the excellent food quality (4 stars) and the terrible service (zero stars). When we arrived for breakfast it was already bustling, and since it is a small restaurant we waited over half an hour. Which is fine, and we waited patiently, but we were definitely hungry by the time we sat down. Since they did not give us menus, one of our party walked over to the nearby stack of menus and picked some up, only to be told by the waitress "I'll bring you everything you need". Since he already had the menus in his hands, it seemed silly to put them back again, so he started walking back to the table - at which point the waitress said even more forcefully, "I said I'd bring you everything you need!" She was clearly annoyed with us before we had even started. When a different server then came over to our table several minutes later, another member of our party asked if she could have a t-spoon for her coffee. The waitress told her that all spoons were in the dishwasher. What should she stir her coffee with then? The waitress pointed at the knife and fork on the table, and said - "one of those". When we asked for another knife or fork the waitress essentially threw an extra fork onto the table. The other half of the story is that when the food eventually came, it was delicious. However, by that point the service made it difficult to fully enjoy. I think what really struck us about the service is the way the waitstaff reacted with such hostility from the very beginning. It wasn't so much that we weren't given menus or that spoons were unavailable, it was the way our requests and questions were handled with such annoyance and anger as if they were doing us a favor rather than being in the customer service industry. We noticed there seemed to be very few options for a sit down breakfast in the area - maybe that's why they felt they could treat their customers with such disdain and disrespect. Luckily for us, we don't live in the area so we don't ever have to go back.
(2)Rob P.
Well this place was well worth the half hour wait...Great ambiance--cozy cottage feel inside or patio seating outside is great. I had the "all day breakfast" which I'm amazed to say did keep me pretty full all day. They have some awesome pancake recipe that I've never had before and they were pretty tasty. The food was pretty good and the price was surprisingly reasonable--transplant this place to Ann Arbor and every menu item adds $3-$4 at least. Next time I'm in Saugtuck I'll be sure to go back and try something from the lunch menu as the meatball sandwich looked and smelled great too!
(4)Noelene W.
Ida reds is the best breakfast and lunch spot in Saugatuck/Douglas, They always have a wait in season, are sometimes slow on the service but they cook with such fresh ingredients that the food is worth the wait, They have the best omelets, potato pancakes and wonderful sandwiches. While we can't get there for breakfast (because that's what we serve her at Sherwood Forest Bed and Breakfast) we get there for lunch when we can escape to town. You'll love this spot
(5)Karen J.
Ida Red's was recommended to us as a place where we could keep an eye on our dog while we ate breakfast on the patio. Luckily there was no wait and we were seated immediately. Service was a bit slow but very friendly. We really enjoyed our food as we sat watching passers by stop to admire the dog and give her friendly pats. My scrambled eggs were light and fluffy, the pancakes had just a touch of cornmeal that made for an interesting (in a good way) texture, and the OJ was fresh. My partner had a delicious homemade blueberry muffin and coffee that was "OK but nothing special." Having been forewarned that Ida's doesn't take plastic we paid with cash and were on our way, bellies full and with a happy Golden Retriever who enjoyed being the center of attention while we ate.
(4)Anna N.
I really thought this place was cute and my omelet was good, but watery. The french toast my son ordered was great. My daughter thought it was the best bacon she ever had. I would come here again and I would try one of the muffins!
(3)Anj F.
Was excited to try this place and it was only a few minutes wait since it was off-season. Now the bad, coffee was alright, eggs were good, but pancakes were awful! Looking at the menu I thought they were traditional pancakes and they also offered wheat, but unfortunately it appears all their pancakes are brown, lumpy wheat type. Did not care for them at all, and there was no one to try to get something else in place of it since you are lucky to get a refill on coffee. Overall will not be back, cute place but food is not worth it and cash only restuarants are a hassle.
(2)Erin D.
First timer: excellent coffee-the French scramble was good mostly due to perfectly cooked, moist, light eggs-I loved the whole wheat griddlecakes the most-heard tales of obscenely long waits but on a rainy Friday at 11am we were seated immediately
(4)Aimee S.
Skip everything else and treat yourself to the most amazing pancakes in the world (maybe with a side of basted eggs). Save room for fresh-squeezed orange juice too. Truly a gem! We go as often as we possibly can. Be prepared for a wait, but its worth it.
(5)Helene H.
What great excitement when the wait was not incredibly long. We have wanted to try this restaurant for such a long time. Our high hopes were quickly shattered. The wait to get a table was long but the irritating part was the 15 minute wait at the table after we were sat for a waitress to come by to say hello. Then the very long wait after we ordered the food (25 min) for it to arrive. Then the 10 minute wait for complete silverware with our food siiting in front of us. When the bill arrived I was not shocked to find it incorrect. I thought I would approach management to let them know our experience - they may not be aware of what is happening on the floor or in the kitchen. I thought our waitress was rude - the management was WORSE. The food was OK but not worth the aggrevation. Working with chefs and restaurant owners for a career, it saddens me to see their demise when most restaurants would love to have their business. We will be heading back to the area in a few weeks and I know my hard earned money will not be used at this place.
(1)Gareth D.
Service slowness. It's like they seat and serve people in waves -- and these aren't choppy seas. You probably should be in a zen-like lazy Michigan state of mind, but sometimes your blood sugar just needs a little boost and this is probably not the place to get it. People would be a lot happier if you were even partway on your game with the coffee ... with all of it -- hell, hire some kid to sell coffee while people are waiting. Happier customers, high margin sales.
(3)Gabrielle S.
Ok. Not my favorite, but pretty good. Great? The homefries and the buckwheat pancake and outdoor patio. The bad? Nothing super out of the ordinary like crepes or fun sauces(although the pancakes were kind of wholesome and healthy I think...), lots of bee's, and the feta wasn't melted in my omelette. But everything tasted good and if you like an all American sorta brunch- you know, the staples- bacon, eggs, and potatoes, you will love this place.
(3)Guinness D.
Stay away---this woman/manager/owner is crazy. The day we were there, my wife asked for cheese on her bacon sandwich and was told that they do not serve cheese until lunch. She then proceeded to tell a woman that "You do not need any more food"---inferring that the woman was fat. This place is always packed because it is one of the only places in town for a true breakfast. The food is ok, but it is not worth giving money to ungrateful people. I would suggest taking a short dive to the Calico Kitchen and get the pot roast hash.
(1)Gail B.
So happy that we were able to get a table for breakfast with only a 5 minute wait - a very popular place. The breakfast menu is full of interesting options - no omelets but a large array of "scrambles". The muffins looked delicious, but the blueberry was disappointing since it only had about 5 blueberries in it and had a pronounced nutmeg flavor which did not do anything to enhance the blueberry flavor. I had the eggs Ondine which I would not get again. Two basted eggs with yolks cooked firm over sauteed onions and a piece of dry toast served with a few slices of Roma tomato and 2 black olives with the pits. My husband's scramble with tomato, spinach and cheese was much better. The orange juice was fantastic - fresh squeezed. They don't offer hash browns, unfortunately. The service was a little slow and coffee refills were really slow. They could have used one more server. They offer outside seating - a plus.
(3)Kim P.
All American breakfast, great service with a variety of options. The eggs are where you need to begin - light & fluffy - yum!
(5)Phil C.
Heads up- closed Monday! We went back, and were glad we did! The welcoming atmosphere is equalled only by the amazing breakfast food. Summer season is a little nuts in Saugatuck- had a chance to re-visit the morning of a football game in South Bend (closer than you'd think) , and it was a perfect Fall treat! Pancakes are phenomenal, as are all the home-baked sweet things. Don't be in a hurry; plan to relax a little and enjoy this special spot.
(4)Luke S.
Found this old-fashioned diner of sorts while on a weekend getaway and loved it! The place looks like an old cottage and is warm and inviting. The friendly small-town service was also refreshing. I got a ham and cheese melt that was delicious. I'm always leery about getting anything with ham in it at a restaurant because I'm kind of picky. Ham can be a fatty meat and I like mine thinly sliced and sans fat. And while the sandwich was perfect, their home fries were what really won me over. I'm not sure what makes these potato slices so good but you must order them regardless of what you get for your meal. Great comfort food!
(4)Jennifer R.
I would have given this place 0 stars, but I wasn't allowed. My girlfriends and I came to Saugatuk for weekend getaway and decided to try Ida Reds' for brunch this past Sunday. It was a disaster from the start. We waited for almost an hour and a half for a table. I understand it was Labor Day weekend and there aren't a multitude of brunch places, but an hour and a half is a long time. Every employee we spoke to was incredibly rude, but nothing prepared me for what happened when we finally sat down. We ordered right away, since we had plenty of time to look over the menu. I ordered and simply asked if I could get spinach instead of tomatoes with my eggs. I was promptly told no. Our server told me the cook would never do that, so I politely asked that my order just have no tomatoes (I would survive without spinach). As he went around the table, my girlfriend asked if they had egg whites. Again, another curt no. But he followed that up with something along the lines of, "We can do whatever you'd like, and substitute this for that." I turned to him and said, "But I can't get spinach instead of tomatoes?". BIG mistake. He leaned down towards me, put his hand on my upper shoulder (dangerously close to my neck) and said, "We're busy here. If we took special orders for everyone in here, we'd never get anything done...but I'm sure you wouldn't know that since you've probably never worked in a restaurant." Needless to say, I was floored. I'm from Chicago, have traveled all over, have been to some amazing restaurants with awful service...and I have never experienced this kind of treatment. And by the way, I have worked in a restaurant! Not only did he insult me, but he physically put his hands on me. I'm a 20-something year old female and I just think that is completely wrong and crossing the line. Long story short, we asked to speak to a manager (no manager, only the owner and he couldn't see us). Thankfully, another server brought out our food and took care of us the rest of the meal. I can deal with a bad waiter/waitress or maybe bad food (it happens)...but not something like this. For anyone planning on coming here...don't do it. It's not worth it and no one should ever be treated the way I was. There are plenty of other places to go where I'm sure you won't get manhandled by the staff for asking for spinach on your eggs.
(1)Mike B.
What a cozy place for breakfast! I took the family to Ida Red's for an early breakfast, and wasn't disappointed. The whole-grain pancakes and sesame-crusted French toast were amazing. My daughter loved the "Montana Scramble" with ham, mushroom, and Swiss. I'll be heading back soon to try the eye-popping muffins.
(5)Brandon B.
After passing through a large crowd of people, the sign inside says "the wait is long, long" with a list to put your name on it inside. The food was cheap and great, really chewy pancakes and perfectly toasted pig muscle. We sat at the counter, which is no wait and first-come first-served. The only thing that seemed a little off was the rather cold feeling from the staff, who seemed to emit the "I'm so busy don't even try to look at me much less talk to me" vibe. Still, a very nice brunch.
(4)Amy A.
The food was ok, service was quick, and the porch seating was lovely, but I have to severely ding Ida Red's on stars for the extreme discomfort I experienced eating there one summer day. We were just seated when someone on the staff started screaming at a customer. The cook (?) also came outside to yell at the guy, then grabbed him by the front of his shirt, and shoved him (in front of his small children, who were frightened and crying). Earlier, I had overhead the conversation between the customer and the staff and while the customer was a bit rude , he apologized, and he did not deserve to be physcially accosted. When he was grabbed, he was standing on the side walk, so he wasn't even in the restaurant anymore. I would never expect staff to get so violent, especially in front of children! Terrible.
(1)Heather O.
We just spent our last two mornings breakfasting here, and found the servers busy, yet accurate and welcoming. My asparagus/egg scramble dish was served with scrumptious whole-grain toast, and the amazing pancakes are a modern, wholesome twist on an old breakfast standby. They use top-notch ingredients prepared with care. Try the orange juice!
(5)Bill W.
We have been patrons of this restaurant for years and we believe they make the best pancakes around. If you get there early enough, you can avoid the long wait, however, the wait after ordering the food can be disconcerting at times, as well. Although, I would recommend it, I do so with some reservation because of the wait times.
(3)Craig B.
Good food for those willing to wait. The establishment does not have very many tables and wait staff will not acknowledge you until they determine a table is open that will suit your needs. The scrambles all look delicious. The pancakes are excellent and have a great chew to them. Not great for large groups.
(3)Sez A.
$8 for three small pieces of French toast and a few slices of strawberry??? Seriously overpriced for what they serve. Food tasted ok; nothing special. I had high hopes from the earlier reviews. They dont take credit cards. They accept personal checks though.
(1)MaryJean W.
If you like sarcasm, this place is for you. My husband was finishing his small take out cup of coffee from Uncommon Grounds when we got seated and was told he could not have it is this restaurant. He asked for a regular coffee cup to pour it into and was declined. So he went back outside to finish this cup of coffee. For all the hullabaloo about the food, which is good, the staff is rude to customers, I have been there 4 times in 4 years and the rudeness has only gotten worse over the years. So, the restaurant can stand on it laurels and has lost me as a paying customer who gives great tips, despite the despicable treatment the waitresses give their customers. I would rather buy my own breakfast food and make it is my cottage or ride out to another breakfast than to waste my time and money at Ida's.
(1)christopher w.
I give it 5 stars because I gave the Elbo Room 4 stars. Both are good but Ida Red's is better. The food was very good, great pancakes, egg dishes, and potatoes. Juices were squeezed fresh and were delicious as well. The previous comments about the staff being aloof were noticed upon arrival as you have to sign in for the "long, long" wait....about 15 minutes. They don't have a cashier so the waiters work as the counter staff as well, which makes them seem disinterested in you as you hungrily wait to be seated. Otherwise, our waitress was friendly and did a great job. Also, this place was spotless and clean. This is the place to have breakfast in Saugatuck.
(5)Emily M.
I'm sad to write this review because Ida Reds is one of my favorite spots in Saugatuck. We love the food and often wait a long time to get a table, but think it is worth it. Today I brought in a friend who is Vegan. She asked for a veggie scramble without the eggs. Our waitress said that they don't allow special orders. We tried to persuade her to reconsider or ask the cook to make an exception and she refused. "Sorry, no special orders". So she ended up getting the one thing on the menu that she could eat, hold the cheese and sour cream." Apparently, holding cheese and sour cream is okay, but hold the eggs is totally unacceptable. I was surprised, sad and embarrassed after talking this place up so much. It would have been so easy to fill her order and they refused. Disappointed.
(2)Annette J.
Now that my beloved Everyday People Cafe doesn't serve breakfast on the weekends anymore we have to turn to the Ida Red's for a breakfast fix. Of course this is not a bad thing since the food is great but the wait can be a little crazy for eggs and pancakes. The space is adorable. A little red cottage with a nice patio housing a few small tables for outdoor seating. Bar seating adds about 6 more seats that you can jump on if you're fast enough (which is what we did this past weekend). The menu is basic--eggs, bacon, pancakes, etc. Their muffins are house-made and really tasty. This past weekend they had a blueberry pancake special and I have intense regrets not getting them since they're in season at the moment and oh so delicious. A few reviewers have stated that the service can be a little rough but we haven't had that problem in the few times we've eaten here. The staff seems as chatty and personable as they can be with a full house and an even fuller wait-list. Sitting at the bar gave us a nice shot of interaction that we might not have had at a table since we made friends with the gentlemen sitting next to us and chatted with them while we waited for our food. I love when that happens! Fortunately we were able to grab some counter seating fairly quickly but if we had to wait for a table I might not have been inclined to stick around. They do what they do REALLY well but they're not reinventing the wheel which makes the wait a little crazy. Based on food and ambiance alone I'd give it 4 stars but the wait factored drops it down to 3.
(3)Sez R.
The wait is too long. The prices are too high. The food is too ordinary. Long wait and high price would have been ok if the food was good. Frustrating experience :(
(1)Heidi S.
Their cottage fried potatoes look like chips at first but once you taste them the potatoey goodness on the inside is amazing! Also the fresh-squeezed grapefruit juice is delish! I recommend waiting for the patio.
(5)Danielle S.
We were recently in town for the Waterfront Film Festival. Already disappointed once for breakfast at another establishment, I turned to Yelp... Folks, believe it. It's TRUE. Ida Red's really has the best breakfast in town. Take it from an L.A. food snob. Need some proof? I hate French Toast. Nonetheless, the description on the menu at Ida Red's was so enticing, I took a chance and ordered it. The menu described the French Toast as being "like custard." OMG... yes, it's true. it was. I cleaned my plate. Had we more time on our trip, I would've eaten here again. Also of note: their baked goods are truly homemade from scratch and not made from a mix. When you walk in, you'll see trays of homemade muffins stacked behind the counter (see photo). These are fabulous, not too sweet like those factory-baked muffins you'll find at institutional-type diners, but the real thing. Such a rare find. Other positive attributes: Wide array of choice on the menu, including interesting salads, cute homey atmosphere (not gross homey, but cute homey), outdoor or indoor seating, an open kitchen (you can see what goes on in there) and fresh squeezed OJ. Do it. You'll be happy you did.
(5)Dat Boi N.
honestly is a good place and price is right. but just okay. the french toast is damn good and the steak and eggs is 7.5/10. went 2 times in a week. there may be wait but its worth it
(3)Jessica H.
I was extremely nervous about dining here given all of the reviews I'd seen on Yelp about all of the horrible customer service situations with the owner, the servers, etc. Scary! I made sure to leave all beverage receptacles at home before coming within 25 yards of the restaurant. In short, breakfast was delicious. We came here twice while we were in town and I had the pancakes twice. Much better than the fare at Pumpernickel's, where we ate earlier in the week. Both servers were actually really nice, which surprised me given the reviews. That is not to say that I doubt the truth of all of the crazy stories you see in the reviews here - there are multiple signs around the restaurant indicating that you can not bring your own beverages into the restaurant. Also, the people who sat next to us in the outdoor seating area had clearly NOT read the crazy Yelp reviews because they had water bottles with them. Our waitress nervously asked them to remove the bottles from the table. I assume she was attempting to stifle another meltdown situation with the owner. In short, the food is good, but I was a bit on edge while eating there, wondering if someone would start screaming like a maniac for no good reason. We were feeling lazy (this place was close to our house) and liked the food, so we came back. But I think next time we'll explore other places to find one with a more relaxed atmosphere. If the weather is nice try to sit on the deck since the inside of the restaurant is a little dark. Also, they don't take credit or debit cards, and the only nearby ATM across the street seems to be on the fritz, so bring cash with you.
(3)Sue T.
OK small breakfast place with outdoor seating. Whole-grain pancakes are a long way from "light" as the menu describes them, but delicious all the same. Three stars for lack of anything but whole milk. There ought to be a lower fat choice in a place that specializes in breakfast. Waiting for a table is quirky - look for the little notebook and sign yourself in. They manage to find you. Floors and tables were a bit sticky. Women's restroom opens directly into the main dining area.
(3)Alexis M.
this was quite a regular place for my family over the years. My dad and his buddy would go here 3 times a week over year. Despite all of the complaints about staff and owner/ rules I LOVE this place. My breakfast of choice? 1. French toast 2. OJ ( fresh squeezed) 3. Potato slices all you really need to know, they are set in their ways, and you can't change anything on the menu. Thats for good reason though, its all so GOOD! so brush off the attitudes and enjoy the great food
(4)Kal B.
Enjoyed breakfast there on a recent stay in Saugatuck having come multi-recommended and I wasn't disappointed. The coffee and the eggs were wonderful. In October there was no wait when we came in but that may have been because we were pretty much waiting at the door because I needed coffee. Great home town service and ambiance. The muffins looked amazing but I resisted the temptation. I asked if they were Michigan blueberries and she said she wasn't sure since it was off season. Honest answer!
(5)Erik M.
Really long wait for mediocre food
(2)Shammah R.
We visited this restaurant for breakfast today and it was so delicious! I had the daily special which came with 3 tacos filled with egg, bacon, cheese, potato, tomato and cilantro and topped with a side of sour cream and salsa. My husband got the steak and egg meal with a side of potatoes and the steak was so tender, the eggs were fluffy and the potatoes were not like anything I've ever had before...thinly sliced, soft inside and lightly crispy on the outside. My daughter got a blueberry muffin which was made from scratch. Everything tasted fresh and to top it off, I had a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice. The service was excellent and the scenery was a bonus, as we sat outside next to a little waterfall. I can't wait to go back if we ever return to Saugatuck.
(5)Erhan K.
STAY AWAY from here if you need a tasty and clean prepared food !!!!! Our late breakfast was at 1 pm and the place was sort of empty ! We had a very nice and smiling waitress ! Our food was terrible! We ordered the Greek Scramble and the Venetian scramble along with potato fries and fruit salad. We found a long curly hair swimming in our small bowl of fruit salad !!!!! Disgusting !!! How did they manage to put it there, we scratch our heads ! Then potatos had no seasoning or salt whatsoever ........ Then our scrambles....... Terribly cooked with boxed egg mixture which had zero egg flavor and the tomatoes in it were zero cooked as well !! Feta cheese was tasteless too!! How can you do that!! Feta is always tasty else where !! Ambiance and decor looks like a mix and match of mostly stupid things and all is tasteless ; just like the food !!! I had to leave my entire food on the table when we got up! Never again !!! juice was awesome fresh though. I liked it :-)
(1)Raul I.
1. GREAT GREAT food (taste & quality) 2. VERY NICE indoor and outdoor seating 3. Located near the water in Saugatuck I'll take the "sandwich" approach for this review (+, -, +) So the place is adorable and surrounded by plenty of art shops which are typical of nice summer harbor towns. The staff was super friendly and attentive considering how busy the place was on a Sunday morning. The bad? Super long lines. This place is popular. Of course we didn't plan accordingly either, but we did get stuck having to wait over an hour to be seated. Still we were polite and patient and waited and were SUPER relieved when we finally got our seats (4 of us) Next we placed our orders and waited while we admired the decor, the dishware, and the pleasant vibe of it all. Then we waited. and waited, and waited some more. We ended up receiving our plates 30 minutes after placing the order. Needless to say, we were happy campers when we finally received our plates. The eggs were super fluffy and moist, not overcooked at all (which is almost always the case with other places). The pancakes fluffy, airy, and full flavored. The bacon perfectly crispy. I don't know, maybe it takes so long to get your food because of the extra care they take in preparing the food. But it was some of the best brunch food I've ever had. I really really liked it and I would highly recommend it. So the lesson really is, plan ahead, be ready to wait if you're visiting during peak time, and enjoy it. It will be good.
(4)Angela M.
Food is really yummy and the place is so cute and clean! Feels like a small town kitchen with more than small town cuisine. I had the grilled mozzarella/tomato/basil sandwich and the potato/leek soup. French toast is awesome! Definitely go here for breakfast or lunch!
(5)Amy G.
Great food! Beware they only accept cash and checks - no credit cards. I had the scrambler of the day and it was delicious, with fresh ingredients and tons of eggs and the right amount of cheese. My dining partner's scrambler from the menu came out similarly wonderful. The absolute best part were those pancakes (griddle cakes?) they have. The menu description was so intriguing that we got a short stack to try, and I gobbled them up - wow! Small place, we had to wait for a table. I knocked off a star because the coffee isn't good, and coffee is very important at a breakfast place. They're so close to Uncommon Ground - why not use their beans? Service was good, although our food took longer than I would have expected. I would go back, as long as I wasn't starving - and I might try to sneak in a coffee cup from Uncommon Ground!
(4)Steve H.
There are a lot of Saugatuck locals that will recommend Ida Red's for breakfast, which is why my wife and I wound up there. The restaurant has a quaint, cottage feel to it, which appeals to some and not others. I prefer a more contemporary, comfortable environment which Ida Reds does not have. You can expect creaky wood seating that's a little hard on the back an, old American decor you might find at a bed & breakfast. The food was fairly good, not necessarily the greatest breakfast food ever but good. I ordered the California scramble an my only complaint was that they put way too much cheese in it which overpowered the taste of the other ingredients. It tasted like something made by a home cook, not necessarily a trained chef. Now they don't claim to have a culinary master chef, so it's not a big deal. I just would have liked a dish that was a little more planned and gourmet. Overall I'd call Ida Reds a good diner to have a filling meal.
(3)Rob R.
If there is a waiting list do NOT come here. So far a three hour wait! Two hours to get a table. One hour at the table and still no food. The food isn't worth the wait. The 3 servers don't really seem to care either.
(1)Suzie T.
We've come to Saugatuck for 30yrs and this has been a stop of ours every time. I see mixed reviews and understand almost all of them. It's small, sometimes the waits are very long, (turn around and go somewhere else), more often than not the young wait staff doesn't give a 10 service (this is not cracker barrel), the owner doesn't roam around w/a smile greeting the guests or w/an encounter doesn't seem to care or know great customer service, and the prices aren't comparable to the mom & pop egg/bacon/toast places around town! --Our recent visit, I asked for extremely crisp bacon & had to send it back to microwave till crisp. I ordered OJ that I never received & had it deducted from our check. I ordered a cheese & mushroom omelet which was good but I had to place 2 napkins around in order to sop up the mushroom juice. (the secret to mush. omelets is to sauté the mushrooms first in order to reduce excess moisture, before you add the eggs etc.) (I'm a gourmet home-cook) I ordered sourdough toast, but she brought me English muffins and said that is what I ordered (even though I made it clear and my husband heard it too) --but the BB whole grain pancakes were to die for! All & all the food was very good and maybe the best in town. I'm not sure why the wait staff can't get it right, but it is a big problem, especially if you don't have extremely good patience or are expecting a restaurant that provides 'a 10 for all'. --Why do we continue to come here at least one time per visit? Learn the tricks of the trade. --well, we've learned to come 15min before they open in order to avoid the wait. (Last visit we arrived at 8:02 and the patio was filled, along w/1/2 the restaurant and the orders were being taken, go figure!) If you come early, you won't be crazy upset that the servers make mistakes and your food takes awhile! Their pancakes are the best in town, and the rest is also very good. Maybe tradition for us plays a part!
(4)Arlene G.
such great food!! i had an omelette with tomatoes, basil & mozzarella cheese & it was sooooo delicious! it was so cheesy and tasty! i also ordered a side of pancakes & that was pretty good too. our waitress was nice and attentive. definitely a great breakfast to start the day of!
(5)Steve S.
Absurd waits for a table (they were quoting an hour when I left -- for breakfast!), cash only, uncomfortably crowded, and they don't answer the phone. But for those things, I'd give 5 stars, but they detract significantly from the enjoyability of the overall experience. The main upside is that the food is delicious and portions ample. Surroundings are clean and cute, and the staff seems to maintain equanimity despite the evident chaos.
(3)Kera C.
Ida Reds is know to most as an amazing pancake house but to me it is not to be missed. If you get there near opening you can get a seat pretty fast but the longer you wait the longer it takes. The only type of pancakes is whole grain (there are flavors too) and I have nothing against whole grain but going in I was not expecting a extremely grainy pancake. They were all raw in the middle and really had no flavor. The bacon was good and the fruit was amazing! They have fresh squeezed juice, the best I've ever had! Not a place I will be going back too.
(2)Miike G.
What a surprise breakfast! This place has some of the tastiest and largest omelette's I have ever had. Long waits if you don't get there early enough. Will be back next time I'm in saugatuck.
(5)Jennifer R.
I would have given this place 0 stars, but I wasn't allowed. My girlfriends and I came to Saugatuk for weekend getaway and decided to try Ida Reds' for brunch this past Sunday. It was a disaster from the start. We waited for almost an hour and a half for a table. I understand it was Labor Day weekend and there aren't a multitude of brunch places, but an hour and a half is a long time. Every employee we spoke to was incredibly rude, but nothing prepared me for what happened when we finally sat down. We ordered right away, since we had plenty of time to look over the menu. I ordered and simply asked if I could get spinach instead of tomatoes with my eggs. I was promptly told no. Our server told me the cook would never do that, so I politely asked that my order just have no tomatoes (I would survive without spinach). As he went around the table, my girlfriend asked if they had egg whites. Again, another curt no. But he followed that up with something along the lines of, "We can do whatever you'd like, and substitute this for that." I turned to him and said, "But I can't get spinach instead of tomatoes?". BIG mistake. He leaned down towards me, put his hand on my upper shoulder (dangerously close to my neck) and said, "We're busy here. If we took special orders for everyone in here, we'd never get anything done...but I'm sure you wouldn't know that since you've probably never worked in a restaurant." Needless to say, I was floored. I'm from Chicago, have traveled all over, have been to some amazing restaurants with awful service...and I have never experienced this kind of treatment. And by the way, I have worked in a restaurant! Not only did he insult me, but he physically put his hands on me. I'm a 20-something year old female and I just think that is completely wrong and crossing the line. Long story short, we asked to speak to a manager (no manager, only the owner and he couldn't see us). Thankfully, another server brought out our food and took care of us the rest of the meal. I can deal with a bad waiter/waitress or maybe bad food (it happens)...but not something like this. For anyone planning on coming here...don't do it. It's not worth it and no one should ever be treated the way I was. There are plenty of other places to go where I'm sure you won't get manhandled by the staff for asking for spinach on your eggs.
(1)Mike B.
What a cozy place for breakfast! I took the family to Ida Red's for an early breakfast, and wasn't disappointed. The whole-grain pancakes and sesame-crusted French toast were amazing. My daughter loved the "Montana Scramble" with ham, mushroom, and Swiss. I'll be heading back soon to try the eye-popping muffins.
(5)Brandon B.
After passing through a large crowd of people, the sign inside says "the wait is long, long" with a list to put your name on it inside. The food was cheap and great, really chewy pancakes and perfectly toasted pig muscle. We sat at the counter, which is no wait and first-come first-served. The only thing that seemed a little off was the rather cold feeling from the staff, who seemed to emit the "I'm so busy don't even try to look at me much less talk to me" vibe. Still, a very nice brunch.
(4)Luke S.
Found this old-fashioned diner of sorts while on a weekend getaway and loved it! The place looks like an old cottage and is warm and inviting. The friendly small-town service was also refreshing. I got a ham and cheese melt that was delicious. I'm always leery about getting anything with ham in it at a restaurant because I'm kind of picky. Ham can be a fatty meat and I like mine thinly sliced and sans fat. And while the sandwich was perfect, their home fries were what really won me over. I'm not sure what makes these potato slices so good but you must order them regardless of what you get for your meal. Great comfort food!
(4)Amy A.
The food was ok, service was quick, and the porch seating was lovely, but I have to severely ding Ida Red's on stars for the extreme discomfort I experienced eating there one summer day. We were just seated when someone on the staff started screaming at a customer. The cook (?) also came outside to yell at the guy, then grabbed him by the front of his shirt, and shoved him (in front of his small children, who were frightened and crying). Earlier, I had overhead the conversation between the customer and the staff and while the customer was a bit rude , he apologized, and he did not deserve to be physcially accosted. When he was grabbed, he was standing on the side walk, so he wasn't even in the restaurant anymore. I would never expect staff to get so violent, especially in front of children! Terrible.
(1)Heather O.
We just spent our last two mornings breakfasting here, and found the servers busy, yet accurate and welcoming. My asparagus/egg scramble dish was served with scrumptious whole-grain toast, and the amazing pancakes are a modern, wholesome twist on an old breakfast standby. They use top-notch ingredients prepared with care. Try the orange juice!
(5)Bill W.
We have been patrons of this restaurant for years and we believe they make the best pancakes around. If you get there early enough, you can avoid the long wait, however, the wait after ordering the food can be disconcerting at times, as well. Although, I would recommend it, I do so with some reservation because of the wait times.
(3)rachel s.
We had the most interesting experience at Ida Red's. Two stars is really an average rating between the excellent food quality (4 stars) and the terrible service (zero stars). When we arrived for breakfast it was already bustling, and since it is a small restaurant we waited over half an hour. Which is fine, and we waited patiently, but we were definitely hungry by the time we sat down. Since they did not give us menus, one of our party walked over to the nearby stack of menus and picked some up, only to be told by the waitress "I'll bring you everything you need". Since he already had the menus in his hands, it seemed silly to put them back again, so he started walking back to the table - at which point the waitress said even more forcefully, "I said I'd bring you everything you need!" She was clearly annoyed with us before we had even started. When a different server then came over to our table several minutes later, another member of our party asked if she could have a t-spoon for her coffee. The waitress told her that all spoons were in the dishwasher. What should she stir her coffee with then? The waitress pointed at the knife and fork on the table, and said - "one of those". When we asked for another knife or fork the waitress essentially threw an extra fork onto the table. The other half of the story is that when the food eventually came, it was delicious. However, by that point the service made it difficult to fully enjoy. I think what really struck us about the service is the way the waitstaff reacted with such hostility from the very beginning. It wasn't so much that we weren't given menus or that spoons were unavailable, it was the way our requests and questions were handled with such annoyance and anger as if they were doing us a favor rather than being in the customer service industry. We noticed there seemed to be very few options for a sit down breakfast in the area - maybe that's why they felt they could treat their customers with such disdain and disrespect. Luckily for us, we don't live in the area so we don't ever have to go back.
(2)Rob P.
Well this place was well worth the half hour wait...Great ambiance--cozy cottage feel inside or patio seating outside is great. I had the "all day breakfast" which I'm amazed to say did keep me pretty full all day. They have some awesome pancake recipe that I've never had before and they were pretty tasty. The food was pretty good and the price was surprisingly reasonable--transplant this place to Ann Arbor and every menu item adds $3-$4 at least. Next time I'm in Saugtuck I'll be sure to go back and try something from the lunch menu as the meatball sandwich looked and smelled great too!
(4)Noelene W.
Ida reds is the best breakfast and lunch spot in Saugatuck/Douglas, They always have a wait in season, are sometimes slow on the service but they cook with such fresh ingredients that the food is worth the wait, They have the best omelets, potato pancakes and wonderful sandwiches. While we can't get there for breakfast (because that's what we serve her at Sherwood Forest Bed and Breakfast) we get there for lunch when we can escape to town. You'll love this spot
(5)Hal S.
This is the best place to go -breakfast or lunch -you can't go wrong. The reason you may to wait is because people like to eat here. Eggs Ondine are out of this world as are the turkey-mango sandwiches. The lemon,zucchini, rice soup is sublime. My personal favorite is the grilled ham, cheese and tomato sandwich. yum.
(5)