It was our first visit to Doc's on the River. The restaurant recently just changed names and ownership. The new owner also renovated the restaurant and the up north vibes are cozy and welcoming. There is a very large parking lot. When we walked in, there was just a small nook to stand while we waited for a table. It was very busy, but expected for dinner time on a Saturday night. There was not a host at the stand so some other guest had a pen and was adding everyone's name to the list. Which ended up being very helpful actually! The host came back to tend to those waiting when she had time. She was very pleasant and kind. The space could be a family restaurant, but I would say it definitely leans more towards a sports bar. There is a full bar, high top tables, regular tables and lots of tvs playing sports. Every table was full when we were there and it was pretty loud. Towards the end of our visit it started to clear out a little bit. We noticed that when it did get quieter when people started leaving, there was not any music playing or anything. It kind of made it awkward feeling. We had the jalapeño corn bites as an appetizer. They were served with ranch. The bites were ok. I probably wouldn't order them again. For our entrees, my boyfriend and I both had the broiled walleye. It was very good and it was not dry. The mashed potatoes were amazing and my favorite part of the meal. The veggies were fine, nothing fancy! Our waitress seemed stressed and you could very much tell. The place was very busy but she was still attentive and helpful. They do have very nice restrooms. The place felt clean. Overall a good spot if you are passing through. read more

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Service was great food not so great. The menu says lake perch. It is not lake perch! They need to correct that in the menu because calling lake perch is a total lie. The breading is not that great as well. Drinks were reasonable. Will probably go back because they are close only 7.5 miles away. Will maybe go back to the burrito. They should screw that up should they? read more

Lately the talk of the town is Docs Sauble Inn with its NEW owner. Wife and I tried getting in on a Friday fish fry but that's not happening unless you get there right at 4. Wife and I decided to go in the middle of the week. We ordered the chicken gizzard basket, a burrito and a gyro. The food was delicious. It was hands down the best gizzards I've ate, my wife who never was a fan of gizzards sure is a fan now because they were cooked to perfection. Advice to owner going forward, keep doing exactly what your doing do not scale back on your portion sizes you serve good food and the portions aren't skimpy like many other restaurants in Manistee.. Good work see you soon! read more

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We met some friends at this establishment for dinner. We use to go there before it was bought out and really enjoyed our experience there. Doc was amazing and the staff were excellent. After the new ownership came on board the FOOD and the waitstaff aren't at all as accommodating as before. Now that the establishment has reopened it has disappointed to say the least. Three of us had the perch dinner and we were all so disappointed. I'm not sure if they are truly selling lake perch or something else. I've never had perch that had such a fishy taste. Also beware prices are $$$. read more

Re-opened!!! With support of Andy Reimer investments locals and others will benefit from an updated venue with classic food still on the menu read more

Food was good. Service better than the food. Ambiance was ok. A little disappointed in the perch and the wings were dry.

It was a slow snowy night. I hadn't been into Doc's since the new Owners took over. I was hoping for the atmosphere to be the same and the food to be as good as it was. The building is really nice now. There's no more drafty dining room...but the food... not even close to what I remembered. The menu has no descriptions on 95% of the items...and the fish is sadly not the same. We will probably give it one more try... but it's sadly another restaurant I used to love... and it's not the same. read more

The food was not real good - it tasted like I had received re-heated fish and was not at all worth it! I doubt that we will go back - better luck maybe if there is a next time. read more

Good food and a staff that's trying their best...they just need a better system! We ordered drinks and an appetizer. We had finished the appetizer before the drinks were even served. There didn't appear to be a bartender behind the bar and the place was packed. Three of us got basket meals which were supposed to come with slaw, but did not. Lots of staff, but not a lot or organization. read more

The open face Sammy is my favorite!! Well besides being in the mug club! The waitstaff and back of house are amazing!! Even the door greeter Jerry rocks it! read more

We love this place and have been going for years !! The new owner has improved the place in so many ways !!

We were very pleased to find this restaurant on our way to Manistee yesterday evening. The service was great and the food was delicious. I had the Pork Ribeye!! It was very tender!! read more

Doc’s On The River - Pork Ribeye and baked potato. - Burgers Near Me - Free Soil, Michigan

Tried Doc's for the first time our group had Phillys, Chicken Burrito, and a Burger. All were very good. The French Fries are excellent! Onion rings were very good also. To top it off we had Great service provided by Bella. Thank you for a great experience! read more

Excellent food and service!! We will continue to support this business. Each time we visit, the food is excellent

Fun atmosphere, non-pretentious food make this a good stop. Don't judge a book by its cover. A lot to choose from, cooked to order, and seasoned well make just about anything on the menu worth it. Again, a good stop for a "enjoyable" dinner experience. Stop and say hello! read more

Love the atmosphere. The owner is very fun and so is the staff. The fish is amazing! Portions are large. Other food looks good too. Had live music when we were there and was really good. Expect a wait at prime times but worth waiting! Thanks for a great time! We'll be back! read more

We came here as a last ditch effort as all the options in manistee were 2 hr waits (and my 3 year old east down with that). Boy did we luck out. Made it 20 minutes before closing (I asked before sitting as that felt a little too close). But waitress assured me it wasn't a big deal at all, very kind (perhaps she saw desperation in my eyes). We will never know. Ok, on to the food. Fries are amazing, perch lightly battered not greasy, but that tartar with the dill... YES! Yes! YEEES! Kids meals were fast, reasonable and tasty. Hubs had a spicy type burger and said it was top 10 if not top 5....ever. And we've had some burgers y'all! So if you don't mind a little dive and love good food and service, stop in. read more

Incredibly friendly and attentive staff. Good food, reasonable prices, quick service, friendly host. If you're looking for an easy place to get a meal which the locals all adore, then this is your place! read more

Best smelt basket in Michigan... Love this place, new owners and as good as with Doc's with draft beer now too!

Best fish I've had in a long time. It's not greasy, lightly breaded and they give you plenty if you order the fish basket. Waitress was friendly and service was quick. Doesn't look like much from the road but the parking lot was full which is always a very good sign. read more

We are locals and ate here the other night with another couple. The food was delicious and the prices were very reasonable. The service was great and the owners were very friendly. We highly recommend giving this place a try. We will definitely be back! read more

OMGoodness! We were recommended to go here for the all you can eat Friday Fish Dinner. I am 62 and have had all the Great Lakes fish, all kinds of Ocean fish Pacific Salmon Atlantic Salmon, Catfish, and Raw Fish...etc. Whatever we had at this restaurant was AWFUL!!!! The fish had ZERO texture and wasn't even flaky. If it wasn't for the batter that had a bit of crunch to it it would have been like trying to chew pudding or mayonnaise. You could have literally sucked the fish itself through a straw. I asked what kind of fish it was and was told it was some kind of catfish. I have had plenty of catfish in my lifetime and this was not catfish. Truly horrific! It's the same menu as the previous owner so nothing new here. The Detroit Coney Cart guy recommended we go there because it was great. He owes me some dogs because we plunked down $60 for a horrible meal. read more

Thought I would give the steak a second try ( 1st time was tough) menu said top sirloin - waitress said it was actually New York strip. What came out was NOT New York strip. Thin, tough,grizzle Come on Doc!! Someone is not watching the kitchen. Sandwiches are OK they DO have some unique options. Waitress (Tracy) was friendly and prompt read more

We're a local couple, and always recommend this place to others! The Gyros are our favorite, delicious selection of apps, amazing sandwiches and burgers! We've always left very satisfied, never disappointed and always looking forward to our next visit! They're always adapting and adding new things, and throwing some nice seasonal items in their as well from local markets and farms. I appreciate local businesses that support and buy local! I hope Doc's will be around for a long time! read more

The food was great! We had burgers, burritos and a salad and everyone thoroughly enjoyed their meals. Tracy was super nice, knowledgeable and accommodating. The owner came by and was really engaging. We had a fantastic lunch and highly recommend it! read more

I would absolutely recommend Docs! Prime Rib was tender and had great flavor. 1/2 order of buffalo nachos was enough to feed at least two. Outside could use a little updating, but the inside has nice people, good food and is much better than the outside. Stop in if you can. read more

Don't let the exterior scare you away--the run down cottages don't tell the story of the inside game at the restaurant. Great service, clean and food was solid. We will be back. read more

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We had lunch/dinner around 4:00 PM on a Saturday afternoon, there were a couple of local types at the bar but the rest of the place was empty. The waitress was excellent, giving us time to look at the menu. They have a little bit of everything, sandwiches, salads, mexican and seafood. Everything we ordered was excellent! There were five in our party and we ordered quite an eclectic mix! The shrimp dinner was excellent, the Backwood's BLT is absolutely worth going back for again (oh so much bacon), the philly cheese steak just as you'd expect, the chef salad was large enough to feed two people and last but definitely not least was the day's special. It was a grilled cheese sandwich, but such a grilled cheese I've never had before. They had your choice of two cheeses (I chose cheddar and swiss) along with their garlic herb cheese spread layered with fresh, grilled asparagus and tomato! I mean seriously, the thought of this grilled cheese sandwich is making my mouth water just thinking about it! We will definitely go back! read more

Great place to eat. I stopped there while on the road. The place was packed but service was fast and the food was fantastic.

My wife and I had the prime rib special. Not worth the money. It was over cooked and tough as leather. Very disappointing. However, the pretzel bites are very good. So is the pulled pork sandwich. The place is worth eating at, just not the prime rib special...sadly. read more

Great asparagus soup and good blue cheese dressing for salad and pop corn on salad nice touch. Good Reuben sandwich and fish dinner. Generous wine serving and good choice of beers. read more

Doc’s On The River - Burgers Near Me - Free Soil, Michigan

Never have had a bad meal. Great food, from fish dinners, burgers, salads to nachos. Prices are real reasonable & servers have always been pleasant. Great choices of micro brews! read more

Doc’s On The River - Awesome food, love the servers too! - Burgers Near Me - Free Soil, Michigan

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Quality food at a great price. We both had perch plus an amazing mushroom appetizer and ice tea for just over $30. Excellent service to top it off. Thumbs up. We'll be back. read more

Great service Friendly people. We tried the Philly cheese steak nachos and they rocked! read more

Me and some friends came in yesterday shortly before dinner. I ordered the perch basket. It was fresh, hot and the service was exceptional. I'd definitely come back. read more

Nice, clean, and well run place. Visiting from Detroit and super happy we stopped in. The nachos were huge and delicious

If you didn't know better you would drive right by this place. Because of the previous reviews on Yelp we decided to give it a try. That, of course, was our first clue that it would be great. The place looks like a typical roadside diner, this one has a full service bar. And unlike many diners, this place is immaculate. Our second clue that he food would be great was when the server brought our food to the table she laid down extra napkins and said, "You'll need these." Boy, or she right! My wife had the BLT and it was wonderful. I had the blue cheese Burger with bacon and added the tomato and lettuce. It was over-the-top! Be sure not to drive by this secret treasure. read more

I'm not sure why this place was so well rated. It is fine if you are looking for standard bar food but nothing more. And if you are into greasy bar food that is a bit over cooked this is a great choice. It seems clean and there is plenty of seating. The sweet potato fries were pretty good. The bathroom was clean. It's just an average place, not five stars. read more

I went to Docs last week for the first time and had their fish fry dinner. I chose the broccoli slaw as my side, and it came with homemade fries and about 4-5 pieces of good size fried fish. The fish was hot, crispy, and delicious. I definitely think I got my moneys worth at this place. The wait time was about 15-20 minutes for food which I think is reasonable. Staff is very friendly and personable. I definitely would recommend this place to everyone. Their beer selection is great as well and the menu is very extensive. I can't wait to go back to try more stuff! read more

Good food and great staff. But on more than one occasion our order was never entered when phoned in.