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    Butcher's Union

    4.6 (1.5k reviews)
    Closed • 4:00 pm - 11:30 PM
    Updated 1 month ago

    Butcher's Union Photos

    Business Info

    BUTCHER'S UNION ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Loud
    Casual
    Trendy
    Good for groups

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    Andrea M.

    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.

    Deviled Eggs
    Amanda W.

    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.

    Jeongmin H.

    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.

    Spicy bloody
    Tiffany S.

    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.

    Old fashioned- chili spicy
    Amanda F.

    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

    Lemon meringue
    David F.

    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.

    Briannah S.

    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.

    Steak and Eggs Different name in the menu.
    Julie E.

    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!

    Milk braised pork shoulder on bed of polenta, with fresh roasted carrots, chipolinni onions and crisp diced apple in au jus.
    Carly R.

    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.

    Salmon
    Mirna I.

    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.

    Ribeye and manhattan
    Jacque S.

    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!

    Steak and eggs
    Katy C.

    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!

    Prohibition Old Fashioned
    Amanda V.

    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!

    Brussels

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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!

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    Butcher's Union Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Butcher's Union

    Is there a kids dinner menu?

    Hi Heather, thank you for reaching out! We do have a children’s menu. If you have any further questions, we highly suggest calling Butcher’s Union directly or visit our website for more information! We hope we have the opportunity to serve you soon!

    Can they handle a group of 45 for a rehearsal dinner?

    Unfortunately we’re unable to accommodate private parties. We apologize!

    Are they open for outdoor sweating? I don't see any hours listed.

    Unfortunately we do not have heated outdoor seating, and are closed due to the current Governor’s orders. We hope to be open soon!

    Do they take Reservations?

    According to the website it’s first come first served.

    View All 6 Questions

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    One Bourbon

    4.3(287 reviews)
    0.1 mi
    •$$

    This place has the best entrees and apps Well worth it and…read morethe bourbon selection is best in GR

    I wish I could give this place 100 stars…read more My wife and I got married on November 9, and what should've been the happiest week of our lives turned momentarily chaotic when our original dinner venue canceled on us two days before the wedding. Total panic. We called One Bourbon on a longshot, expecting a "sorry, we're closed." Instead, they did something absolutely unbelievable: they opened their restaurant -- on a day they're normally closed -- just for us. That kind of kindness is almost unheard of. From the moment we walked in, the staff treated us like family. They set up a beautiful, intimate space, took incredible care of our guests, and made sure everything flowed seamlessly. The food was fantastic. The cocktails were perfection. And every single person there felt genuinely invested in making our wedding reception special. Because of them, our day went from almost falling apart to being absolutely unforgettable. Everyone at our reception raved about the experience -- and so are we. If you want a place with incredible food, amazing drinks, and a staff who actually gives a damn about people, go to One Bourbon. They earned customers for life that night. Thank you Meg, Matt, and staff for saving our wedding day and turning it into something magical.

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    Cocktails!

    One Bourbon - Beautiful huge bar (this is only 1/3 of the bar)

    Beautiful huge bar (this is only 1/3 of the bar)

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    Flanagan's Irish Pub

    Flanagan's Irish Pub

    2.6(113 reviews)
    0.5 mi
    •$$

    We only stopped in to meet clients and have a few drinks. Very friendly staff with a good vibe to…read moreit. I didn't see anyone eating or look at a menu. I cannot comment on anything about the food. Overall a good bib and friendly staff

    Wanted to grab one quick drink with the wife before an event an Amway, and this place is close by…read more It's actually in a pretty central location, I say this because hopefully someone will see its value and pick it up. It's clear somethings going on with ownership maybe wanting to sell as I'm seeing reviews on here. Anyway our experience was unique; I told my wife and people at the event it was like a scene out of bar rescue! Serving drinks in red solo cups, the bar wasn't very stocked, and though we didn't look around and inspect the place it didn't give off a clean vibe because of updates that look like are needed. That being said at least around us the bar from what we could tell was maintained. Our bartender was friendly so there's that. But immediately on sitting we were informed the kitchen was closed and overheard later with other guests that it was due to staffing issues. Again overhearing it sounded like alot of things were out; even staples like Bud light. My drink was fine but my wife's cider was flat and probably an old keg... again just get the vibe they cashed out and putting minimal in... so I'd definitely recommend another spot until new ownership or some change comes... Which is too bad because even photos on here from 5 years ago look completely different (stocked bar) and I used to come here often about 10 -12 years ago for fun times and great value/experience.

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    Flanagan's Irish Pub
    Flanagan's Irish Pub
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    Mertens Prime - Whiskey Sour!

    Mertens Prime

    2.8(90 reviews)
    0.8 mi

    We finally made it for dinner at Mertens Prime after visiting just their rooftop bar last summer…read more This spot feels hidden away from Grand Rapids (even though it's smack dab in the middle), like it's its own little dark and romantic universe. We had escargot (for the first time!) and were blown away! The little serving of pasta that came with was an added bonus (and cured my constant craving for buttery noodles!) For entrees, we had the butternut squash gnocchi with shrimp added, and the duck al orange. The gnocchi was the perfect amalgamation of flavors, with the sweet squash, tangy goat cheese, and salty shrimp. The duck was juicy and delicious, and Derek loved the broccolini that came with it as well! (Honestly, I don't know how they made a vegetable taste like that!) We were so bummed we didn't save room for dessert, because the whole dessert menu looked insane. I'm looking forward to coming back for some french onion soup, a little dessert or two, and maybe a drink on the roof of the weather ever warms up! Shoutout to our server, who was very helpful and communicative even when he was being pulled a million different ways! (Lots of table side service desserts were going out)

    MERTENS Prime really wants to feel like an upscale steakhouse, but the reality misses the mark…read more The entire place was dark, the seating was uncomfortable and cheap, and details like missing candles and worn walls made it feel neglected rather than intentionally "historic." Service hovered in a way that felt more judgmental than welcoming. On top of that, almost everything was $2 more than the menu price (my tiny side salad listed at $7/14 came to $9), and our bill shows a "seat count" of 10 even though we were seven -- probably why the automatic 18% gratuity hit. The food itself was mid at best; ironically, the highlight was a coffee mocktail.

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    Mertens Prime - Medium Philly Poutine!

    Medium Philly Poutine!

    Mertens Prime - Beef Stroganoff made with Filet Mignon!

    Beef Stroganoff made with Filet Mignon!

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    Butcher Block Social - Pulled Pork Loaded Tots

    Butcher Block Social

    3.8(79 reviews)
    15.6 mi

    We were curious about this place till yesterday when we stumbled in and chowed down on burritos and…read morechicken bacon ranch sandwich, well we've eaten at more expensive places but we give this place 2 thumbs up. The food was fresh and flavorful We brought friends and are making plans to return The staff were nice and friendly, the place was very clean and nicely layered out If I had a bad thing to say it would be for the metal chairs( I'll bring a pillow next time) But a great family and singles place with weekly music being played by local bands Yup they have a happy hour too

    Overall, we had a so-so experience at Butcher Block Social. The food had solid flavor. The…read moreatmosphere was relaxed, and the sides were especially good. The green beans and macaroni & cheese were my favorites! We came in for lunch. We were about the second table seated around 11:30am. The place quickly filled up! However, there was only one server. It's not her fault. But it kinda sucked after a while. And it was our first time trying this place. Since it got so busy, our server got tied up taking orders and she seemed to be answering the phone too. I noticed that our food was ready and under the warmer. Unfortunately, our food was not that hot when it got to us, finally. The ribs were overdone. My pulled chicken was very good although it was a tad on the cool side. We were celebrating a special occasion and I hate that our special lunch was kind of ruined. I think I would probably try this place again at dinner time.

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    Butcher Block Social - Inside

    Inside

    Butcher Block Social - Chicken, corn beef sandwich with side Mac and Cheese, ta toe tots and quarter chicken leg.

    Chicken, corn beef sandwich with side Mac and Cheese, ta toe tots and quarter chicken leg.

    Butcher Block Social - Sauces on table

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    Sauces on table

    Butcher's Union - tradamerican - Updated October 2026

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