I see why this is always the spot people recommend... I went to Butcher's Union for my birthday this year and it was nothing short of AMAZING. We were able to make a reservation online easily and were seated almost immediately. The table was near the open door and it was such a lovely lovely fall night. They also decorated a sweet little postcard saying Happy Birthday to me! I thought it was a very cute personal touch. All staff that we interacted with were delightful We started with some cocktails: I got a Daisy Du and my wife got an Amelia. They were both so delicious! Later I also got a strawberry granita and it was YUM. I am not normally someone who orders cocktails because they are too expensive for my taste and I am generally content without any alcohol, but I wanted something special for my birthday. For apps we got a half dozen oysters and crab and artichoke dip. Both was amazing and we ate all of it. The jalapeno mignonette was INCREDIBLE and such a delicious addition to a standard mignonette. The crab in the dip was real crab and the bread it came with was the perfect balance of sturdy and crispy but soft and easy to eat. We ordered the 14oz Ribeye (rare) and 8oz Waygu Sirloin (medium rare) as our apps. The steaks were cooked perfectly and all the sides/sauces were so delicious. Truly cannot speak highly enough of how delicious these steaks were, like so good y'all. I have been to many steakhouses and have had steaks that weren't as good, but cost more than what we had at BU. I had thought I would get a complimentary dessert because it was my birthday (like it was my ACTUAL birthday), but we didn't get one. We were so full I didn't follow up to ask and it wasn't a big deal. I might have been incorrect in my assumption, but saw it in other people's reviews. read more

If you are looking for a fun restaurant to enjoy a good burger or steak I recommend visiting at least once. They have indoor and outdoor seating and the atmosphere is great. The service was exceptional from start to finish. Everyone was kind and welcoming. We ordered a cheeseburger with fries and a wagyu sirloin that had a red wine reduction, crispy onions, potato gratin and garlic green beans. We also ordered two kids trays which were priced very fair at $9 for the options and amount of food received. Our kids had the fried chicken tenders, grilled steak and picked sides of fries, mashed potatoes and fruit. The kids trays also came with drinks. Since this was a birthday celebration or server did make it special by brining a sweet treat and candle and even discounted my meal! Some things to think about when planning a visit: The restaurant is very loud. Make a reservation! It is popular. Plan parking! The area is full of great restaurants so parking is tough. Paid parking areas are available but limited. read more

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I visited Grand Rapids for business, went here in a Tuesday afternoon and place was busy! I was sat at the bar though right away. First had an old fashioned. I thought an old fashioned was an old fashioned, but this one was delicious and available for happy hour, can't beat that! Then at the bartenders recommendation, I had the meatballs for appetizer and the hangar steak for entree. First, the meatballs, very good, I'd give it a 4/5 minimum. Portion was very respectable, meant for a shareable appetizer but it was just me lol. The ricotta is a delicious touch. Then the hangar steak. It's the best steak I can remember having in a long time, and on a relatively inexpensive cut such as a hangar. I just can't express enough how impressed I was with it. And I'm not a sauce with steak type but the aioli just completes it so well. 5/5, and I'm pretty picky. If I come back to Grand Rapids I will visit here at least once. read more

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A GR staple and must try. This place is so cute inside and out, they have a patio in the back as well. My absolute favorite drink is the Strawberry Fields, I get it every time it's so refreshing in the summer. I crave the Wagyu Sirloin from Snake River all the time. Delicious, I highly recommend it and the potato gratin it comes with is very good. The whipped feta as an app was delicious and honestly cannot go wrong with either the cheesecake or chocolate mouse, both were amazing. It gets busy at times, I'd book a reservation during the weekend but you can get in with a small wait during the week. Either way the waits definitely worth it! read more

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Great food, amazing service and lively atmosphere! It's definitely at the top of my list when I'm near the Bridge st area. Highly recommend! read more

This came as a recommendation and we decided to wait for a table. The drinks were delicious and I appreciated the creative way that my Old Fashioned was served. The food was good, two of us ordered the Waygu tenderloin, medium rare; it was blue when it came out. I had ordered a second drink but never received it. The dishes were simple but good. read more

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LOVE this place! Must have more. Never a bad experience. Always amazing food, ambiance and service. Been there many times!

Food and service are fantastic. However, it is too noisy. I have been there several times and the food and Service are very very impeccable.

5/5 all around. Highly recommend making a reservation early in advance because they fill up quickly. Everything we ordered was excellent but the mafaldine was definitely a standout. I've never enjoyed a pasta dish so much before! It was quite loud but overall had a great time and would certainly come back. read more

Butcher's Union - American Near Me - Grand Rapids, Michigan

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Hype is REAL around Butcher's Union. Came here to visit a friend who just moved into the area! The ambience is very vibey - reminds me of a big city spot specifically DC for whatever reason, ha. I felt like had to try THE burger (BU butcher's beef blend, cheddar, caramelized onions, spicy pickles, creamy aioli, griddled brioche). This ate like a fancy Big Mac - and I mean that in the most complimentary way. So tasty! I, of course, had to add the hand cut fries. These were done VERY well. Also, they had a very SOLID spicy bloody mary. So why only 4 stars then? Welp, best burger in the state still goes to Ricewood (Friday & Saturday only!) - that smoked brisket burger is dang good. I'd come back to BU to try other items and enjoy their patio. Reservations can be made on OpenTable. read more

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The food was amazing. The service was amazing. It is definitely pricey but if you can afford it highly recommend. You will not be disappointed. If you go on the day of your birthday, you get half off your entree. read more

Butcher's Union - American Near Me - Grand Rapids, Michigan

Wow this place was busy. Luckily I had a friend who is a regular, save me a seat at the bar. Bartenders were busy but never too busy to check on us. They made some fancy craft cocktails. What a show! I had a few cocktails and my friends had dinner- they both ordered the steak and Brussels. Ha. It looked good. The cocktail menu has some staples and also has some seasonal/ rotating options. They have happy hour from 4-6, I just missed it. Happy hour is deals on food and drink. Service was great. We sat, drank, ate and chatted for a couple hours. I should come back for happy hour and dinner. Bathrooms are clean. Parking is a pain. No valet. Street parking with meters or lot metered parking is about all there is. The nearby construction doesn't help either. So if you're going there, leave a little early to ensure you have time to find parking and walk. Parking read more

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We were visiting our daughter in Grand Rapids and took her roommates out for dinner. The food was amazing!! I had the swordfish and it was so tender and tasted fresh. My husband had the hanger steak, it was cooked perfectly and had so much flavor. The girls loved their meals as well. Our server Rocky was the absolute best!! She was attentive, nice and made great recommendations. The restaurant was clean and beautiful. We will be going back when we visit again. read more

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Butcher's Union will always be one of my favorite go-to's. They consistently have amazing food and great service. Now that they take reservations online and not just in person, it's so much easier to get a seat! Every time family or friends visit in town this is our first stop. The decor and ambiance is top tier and I wish there were more like it in GR! I highly recommend for a date night or nicer dinner out since it is a nicer place and the prices reflect that somewhat. My favorites are the whipped feta, wagyu sirloin, and the Daisy Du cocktail. For dessert, the bourbon apple crisp and chocolate mouse cake are incredible. But you truly can't go wrong with anything on the menu! read more

Butcher's Union - American Near Me - Grand Rapids, Michigan

After many years of wanting to come, it took this restaurant making the Yelp top 100 list to finally get me to come make a reservation for my wife's birthday. It was everything we hoped for and more. With stellar service, starting with a warm greeting and an invitation to dine in the heated patio courtyard (which I highly recommend - even in the middle of one of the coldest winters on record it was delightfully comfortable). And then a customized hand written Birthday card, we felt right at home. To start off, we got the Brussels sprouts and French fries - and both were divine. The sprouts were crispy, salty and had that hint of sweet maple with cubes of delicious bacon mixed in. The fries were salty, crunchy, and covered with a perfectly cooked egg while paired with two of the most delightful sauce choices I've ever had. Our main course ended up being the chopped salad with chicken and steak added and they were the perfect size while getting to experience a rather generous portion of the best steak I think I have ever had. It truly melted in my mouth... And then not only did we order a lemon meringue for dessert, but we were given a complimentary cup of chocolate mousse with a birthday candle! The combination of the food, service, and ambiance created a truly unforgettable experience. read more

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Second visit in a month and burg were below par. The speed of service & staff availability are lacking. Our fishes are fine but they should reconsider the size of the dishwater in comparison to the space available. on the table! read more

Food was amazing. I got the steak mouth watering. Will be thinking about it for the rest of my life so good. It was my birthday and the service was amazing. Waiter was so friendly and patient. He let me know that entrees for birthdays are half off and got a free chocolate mousse. Great service and great food! Definitely would go again. read more

Butcher's Union - American Near Me - Grand Rapids, Michigan

Kudos to our server, I wish I had gotten her name. I really hoped she watched Landman, regardless trying to share how personable she was. I ordered off of the brunch menu, A chorizo hash and my friend ordered the steak and eggs. I ordered the brioche and she ordered a biscuit. This is where I go from 4 to 5 stars, my toast was served cold and hard. I didn't want to complain, the server checked back on us she was nice and I didn't want to say anything. If my brioche bread had been hot and steamy I would have enjoyed the meal much more. The ambiance is cool. The booth was leather and I felt like if I saw Frank, Sammy and Dean sitting next to me that would have fit. I utterly enjoyed 95% of my experience. My friends meal looked spectacular! I was also spying on other peoples plates as I journed to the bathroom. I saw many dishes that looked delish! read more

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This was our second trip to BU for our foursome, and we expected another decent meal. Although the ambiance is apparently always very noisy, it's comfortable enough and the service is fine. However, three of the four at our table had FOOD that was simply not good, one stating that hers was even inedible...... all due to ridiculously excessive amounts of salt. This was a shock given the entree prices and BU's response to our concerns wasn't at all adequate to this unpalatable 3-plate disaster. We will not be returning nor recommending BU to others. read more

Came here on a Sunday night with a group of six, and they were able to see us after the 15 minute wait without a reservation despite it being pretty busy. The food overall, I think we all agreed was impeccable. The only complaint I heard was that we wish there were burrata and focaccia. I personally had the pork shoulder and essentially licked my plate. We also got drinks, which were all fantastic, including the nonalcoholic ones. (" Summer days" was exceptionally sour). Besides a couple seating issues with some condensation on the pipes that kept dripping on the table, everyone had an awesome time with great service at chill vibes. read more

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Butchers Union was our first stop in Michigan right off the plane for dinner. We had read in many places and been told that Butchers Union was the best restaurant in Grand Rapids. When we arrived we were able to find parking but it was a little tricky and cost $5 not too bad. It was crowded and there was no indoor seating for an hour, but they were able to seat us immediately out front of the restaurant which was fine. It was a super hot day for them, but coming in from TX it wasn't that bad at all. Interesting experience sitting out front watching everyone go about their business in this busy area. Only drawbacks were occasional exhaust from some vehicles. Our waitress was really kind, and knowledgeable. We ordered the milk braised pork shoulder over polenta and the ribeye steak. Both items were great. Both dinners were comparable to what and how we would have made them ourselves at home, that's a great thing. Often times we are disappointed with steaks especially even in fine establishments, but Butcher's did the steak justice. The pork could have used more flavor, it was lacking some seasoning especially since it is such a thick piece of meat. It needed more aggressive salt and seasoning. It was cooked and treated well, as it was very tender, and all the accompaniments on the plate paired well with the meat. The polenta was very creamy and delicious with great flavor. The surprise pop of crunch and slight sweetness from tiny diced apple was nice, along with the roasted carrots and onion. Overall, we really enjoyed our dinners, the service, and just wished we could have or would have made a reservation to sit either inside or in their courtyard instead of the front sidewalk. read more

Butcher's Union - Milk braised pork shoulder on bed of polenta, with fresh roasted carrots, chipolinni onions and crisp diced apple in au jus. - American Near Me - Grand Rapids, Michigan

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The food here is always amazing and never disappoints. Always a great ambience to grab a seat at the bar and have a drink!

Butcher's Union is consistently rated as one of the top restaurants in Grand Rapids by visitors and locals alike. It had been awhile since I'd visited, so I decided to make a reservation for my birthday brunch. Reservations are easy to make online and I didn't have any issues getting my preferred time slot the day before. Once we arrived, our booth was ready and I was delighted to see a happy birthday card at the table (of course I told them on OpenTable it was my birthday)! It was so sweet and cute. The full brunch menu is served every Sunday from 10 am until 3 pm (with a limited brunch menu available on Saturday). Brunch entrees here lean more savory than sweet, which is my preference. They have brunch cocktails so I got a Hugo spritz (not on the menu but they were happy to make them). Love the option of a sangria carafe if you have a group! I ordered the wagyu steak and eggs, and Nate got the biscuits and gravy. Our friends got the cheeseburger and corned beef hash. I love BU's steak and eggs - it's always cooked perfectly and seasoned well. I had some bites of my friend's corned beef hash, which was good, but the whole plate oddly wet, I wasn't sure what that was about. Everyone seemed to enjoy their food! We ordered a dessert (the blueberry crisp) to share, and they also brought me a complimentary chocolate panna cotta which was decadent and delicious! Butcher's Union is definitely a great place for a celebratory meal, happy hour, or date night. I've been several times for all of the above and have always had a great experience. The back patio is my favorite! read more

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My partner and I dined at Butcher's Union to celebrate our 42nd wedding anniversary. To start things off, we had drinks: The Squirming Coil and Paloma. The Squirming Coil is a weird name for an Old Fashioned but it was delicious. It's served without ice, which is really weird, but it was good, and so was the Paloma. The Mediterranean Toast was our appetizer and it was delicious but $14.25 for one slice of toast with tomatoes, feta and seasoning just seemed like a lot of $'s. Our entrees were: Salmon - skin was soggy and it smelled slightly fishy, so I'm sure it was not fresh. We eat and prepare a lot of salmon and this rates a 6 on 1 to 10. The fish was moist - well prepared except for the soggy skin and the aroma. Butcher's Cut ribeye - The last time we dinned here, my partner had the wago NY strip and it was really tough and lacked flavor. The ribeye is 1000% better than the wagu. The ribeye was perfectly cooked and came with three tiny smashed potatoes and six skinny sprigs of asparagus. Overall, it was good, just light on the potatoes and asparagus. For $54, a couple more potatoes ($0.50 tops) and a few more sprigs of asparagus ($1 tops) would have made it complete. The server had the softest voice and was exceptionally hard to hear in this popular and well-attended restaurant, but was a good server. read more

We went after visiting Art Prize. We parked on the street. The vibe is vintage store front with 2 bars and tin ceilings. We had the happy hour deviled eggs. There were 4- 1/2 eggs. The filling was smooth. We had the whipped feta with garlic bread (soft). It had a mild pepper topping. The server recommended the wagyu sirloin. It was sliced. It had a good flavor and was tender. I don't care for sauces. This came with a beef reduction. Unfortunately the sauce was all over the bowl and the green beans and potato square was in the sauce, fyi. We had the apple pie. It was very fresh. The server said they get apples locally. The happy hour drinks were varied $5-10. The whiskey and bourbon list is 2pages, single spaced. The service was perfect. read more

Arrived at 7:30 on a Saturday night. Their website says 50% of restaurant + all of patio are reserved for walk-ins but it was still a 1.5 hour wait. We grabbed seats at the bar though within 15-20 minutes which was perfect. Fun atmosphere, great bartenders and delicious food. We had the hand-cut fries, ribeye, and grilled chicken plus the Hugo spritz and Butcher's manhattan. We always stop here when we're near GR. Worth it! read more

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One of my favorite restaurants downtown. Butchers has a great pub vibe, but not too noisy. They have a great selection of bourbons. Food is delicious with large portions. Staff were friendly and we had prompt service. They get busy due prime hours so I'd recommend making a reservation. Definitely worth a stop! read more

Butcher's Union - Prohibition Old Fashioned - American Near Me - Grand Rapids, Michigan

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We were lucky to get a last-minute reservation at Butcher's Union on a packed Sunday night, and it was absolutely worth it! We ordered the shrimp and burrata, Brussels sprouts, meatballs, and the smoked ribeye sandwich to share. Everything tasted great, but the meatballs and the ribeye sandwich were the standouts for me. Fantastic food and atmosphere. Highly recommend! read more

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On a sunny afternoon, we decided to stop by Butchers Union for a quick happy hour. There were spots on the patio so we were seated right away. We shared a white peach sangria pitcher - on the sweeter side but a great deal for happy hour. We also got a burger to share and some potato nachos. They even split the burger for us, which was great. Food was all super tasty and great deals for happy hour. Love this spot! read more

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Always amazing!! Good food and awesome atmosphere. We always have a good time here.

My favorite Michigan meal in over 18 years! Brunch today included deviled eggs, biscuits and strawberry jam, wedge salad, cheddar strata, apple crisp and cherry and pecan cheesecake. I tried to get a taste of everything, and loved it all--Chef Bob is the best! My highest recommendation. P.S. Request seating in the back. Bright brick and hanging plants give it a real European feel. read more

Butcher's Union - A perfect slice of cheesecake - American Near Me - Grand Rapids, Michigan

Corned beef was cooked perfectly! So tender! However, a lot of the oil from the meat seeped into my potatoes and kind of ruined the crispy potatoes but still a great dish! read more

Butcher's Union - Corned Beef Hash $17.75 - American Near Me - Grand Rapids, Michigan

Butcher's Union at happy hour felt like a secret you stumble into on the perfect kind of weekday. We grabbed a quiet spot at the bar and watched the evening unfold--golden hour light, slow build of a dinner rush, that cozy city hum. MY TYPE OF EVENING!!! The $19 sangrias pitchers+ (white peach + bu whisky red) were worth every sip--smooth, balanced, a little dreamy and the biggest bang for your buck, since Rockwells (rip). The deviled eggs hit the comfort spot with prosciutto sprinkled on top, and their version of a KFC bowl was warm, familiar, and just different enough to feel so so special. Our bartender was lovely --attentive without hovering, and the kind of energy that makes a place feel easy. If you're looking for something laid-back but still a little swoony, this is it. I LOVE U BU! read more

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As always, everything was top notch. The service was excellent, we loved the apps (so excited whenever I see oysters rockefeller on a menu), and the steaks were phenomenal. Only thing I will say is the steaks were slightly less done than what we expected (we all ordered medium rare and got more rare than medium) but it was all delish. Also got a chocolate mousse cake and it was so rich our whole table split it lol. Butchers continues to be one of the best spots in town! read more

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Butcher's Union was a great experience with awesome ambiance when we went last night on a Friday night. They only reserve 50% of the restaurant so we couldn't get a seat sooner than 9 PM even though I booked far in advance so that's something to note. It wasn't a problem for us because we had appetizers and drinks elsewhere beforehand. The food was delicious and the drinks were fun too. I will say that it was probably the loudest dining experience ever so if you're sensitive to that then maybe skip this restaurant during busy hours. They did bring out a small desert for my partner as it was his birthday. Overall good experience read more

Butcher's Union - Wagyu sirloin and butcher's cut hanger. Daisy du and bridge st old fashioned - American Near Me - Grand Rapids, Michigan

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Butcher's is the OG downtown staple for a good steak. Gin Gin's stays popping, but any cut of steak at Butcher's is solid. If you're going for a quick bite, the West Village Double Cheeseburger is insanely good. Don't order the side of the hand-cut fries for $2.50, just get the full order of the fries that comes with a fried egg and the mornay sauce/aioli. The only thing that I'm not a fan of is the Wagyu Sirloin. It's a good cut of steak, but the highly jacked potato gratin isn't my favorite compared to the fried potatoes. Overcooked half the time and isn't the most flavorful or texturally sound side. The NY Strip is also good, but the red wine reduction underneath it all is a bit overpowering and makes things a little soggy. Stick with any of the Butcher's Cuts. read more

Beautiful atmosphere the staff was incredibly friendly and the vegan options included a side of fries as well as the Brussels sprouts plain. They had a variety of mocktails as well. read more

Butcher's Union - American Near Me - Grand Rapids, Michigan

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We came here for happy hour and sat at the bar. We ordered the deviled eggs, the famous bowl, the cheeseburger, and rhubarb for dessert. The deviled eggs and bowl were very good. But the real standouts were the cheeseburger and the rhubarb dessert -- absolutely fantastic and worth coming back for on their own. Overall, the food was excellent -- I'd give it a solid 4.5 stars. read more

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Found myself in GR and knew I had to try Butcher's Union. Now I have to come back! Phenomenal spot with great burgers and ambiance. Really have to come back for dinner. read more

Butcher's Union - Burger - American Near Me - Grand Rapids, Michigan

My go-to here is the chopped salad with an added steak. The standalone steaks are very expensive but you can add a little one to a salad for peanuts. My companions have raved about the smash burger and fries, meat loaf, sausage biscuits and gravy. Service is excellent. read more