What's not to like? Sprecher root beer, Chicago dogs (and brats), all in a gigantic, iconic barrel surrounded by picnic tables and woods. I loved it as much as my kids. They have some plaques around that I encourage you to read. This was a roadside attraction several decades ago that fell into disrepair. The local community rallied to save it by fundraising, then rebuilding it from community members. How sweet is that? That's the kinda thing that gives you hope for humanity. Food wise, it was good! I literally drink soda about once a decade, so this was it for the 2020s for me. I feel like you kinda have to get root beer at the root beer barrel, right? My kids had never had root beer, and they were more into the orange soda my wife got. I got a Chicago hot dog which is always a treat. My kid loves brats and devoured hers, and we enjoyed the nice picnic tables on a pleasant mid-July day. Spot that gets hyped, and to me is worth it and carries distinction beyond just a touristy roadstop. read more

Bought the root beer in the ice cold souvenir mug. A - mug came out of a box B - worst root beer I have ever tasted. It was all syrup and no fizz. C - root beer wasn't even cold. D - swarmed by Bees before we could even taste the root beer to find out how bad it was. Cool location and the mugs are a nice keepsake but that's about it. read more

Douglas Root Beer Barrel - Root beer - all syrup and room temp. - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Douglas, Michigan

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Had to try out the Root Beer Barrel before the Douglas Dutchers Vintage Base Ball game. And let me tell you. I was not disappointed in it being a literal Barrel for the location. That 100% added to the charm of the place. Of course got a Root Beer Float, cause what else would you get in the hot summer weather at a Root Beer Barrel! Yes it was fresh, yes it was cold, yes it was refreshing, and YES it hit the spot and cured the craving. Staff was friendly when ordering and picking up order. Will be making a trip back to try the food next year! read more

The hot dogs were delicious and had so many toppings on them to fill you up. The side of Mac and cheese also hit the spot. They loaded the bacon on. The root beer float was also delicious and refreshing. The only downside to this experience was the bugs. There were so many bees and flies. They have picnic tables with bug nets around them so they aren't bothering you the whole time, but it definitely made us eat our food faster to get out of there. read more

Douglas Root Beer Barrel - Hot dogs with a side of Mac and cheese - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Douglas, Michigan

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Chicago style eating. It's good if you want a snack from the beach. They do have a ton of flying pest. However the offer bug nets over the patio tables. Only issue would be parents letting their kids run wild and he loud. Other than that it a must try read more

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Really cool roadside root beer stand in the shape of a root beer barrel. Lots of places to sit and relax, restrooms in the back. They had lots of things root beer root beer, floats, diet root beer, whole lot of things. The kids working the stand were nice, and the prices weren't terribly bad for a standalone root beer stand. Root beer was really good. We got floats. The ice cream was very good as well. Highly recommend this if you're in the area. read more

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A cool and fun place to stop at for all ages. They have plenty of different options of hot dogs. The two we tried were delicious. And of course the root beer was good. read more

Douglas Root Beer Barrel - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Douglas, Michigan

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Iconic! Root beer float is the way to go in my opinion, a cool, easy, and quick stop on the road. Really nice to hit after the beach! read more

Douglas Root Beer Barrel - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Douglas, Michigan

Donkey Kong would like a word! Just kidding - it does totally remind me of The Bubbly Barrel at Epic Universe, but this obviously came first. They serve Sprechers but I think I learned that I don't like root beer on tap - tastes like diet soda to me. So, next time, I'll get a float. Also, their picnic tables ARE pup friendly (double-checked with the person taking my order). Anyways, a friend told me about this place otherwise I may not have found it (maybe from going to Outside Coffee kitty corner?) but it's a gem! read more

Douglas Root Beer Barrel - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Douglas, Michigan

Cute place but I don't understand the hype based on trying the root beer here. First thing I noticed was that it smelled a little funky when I got out of the car. The bathroom was out of order, so it may have been that or the trash cans. There were swarms of yellow jackets everywhere, which was really unpleasant and upset my kids. And most importantly, the root beer was disgustingly sweet. I do not understand how anyone can consume this. Even my little ones, who would never deny sweets, complained about it being too sweet. We literally took a few sips of each of our drinks and dumped it right in the trash. It was also just mildly cold, not what I would expect. The drinks were poured too full or carelessly, the root beer was all over the kids and just made everything messy and sticky. I guess there's enough folks that enjoy this place but it was not our thing and was the most unpleasant part of our Michigan trip. read more

Cute little root beer float stand. Plenty of outdoor seating. Lots of teens are employed here and I think that's pretty cool. The menu is quite small because the Root Beer Float is the star of the show. It's tasty and the Root Beer tastes homemade 8/10. Ice cream was great!! Definitely tastes different than A&W and Barqs. I didn't care for the Mac n Cheese 2/10. Had an odd cheese flavor. The Chicago Dog looked pretty but the mustard overpowered the whole bite 4/10. They also have some cool merchandise to purchase like shirts, cups and hats. Overall it was a really neat experience for us to try. Will stick with just the Root Beer Float. read more

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Really cute place, seems like a local institution. We had to stop by for some root beer and floats while we were in town for a weekend trip. After leaving Oval Beach, we grabbed some root beers and floats (made with hard scooped ice cream). We noticed the hot dogs that other people ordered, looked great. We planned on coming back to get hot dogs, but never did. The root beer was good, nothing that blew my socks off, it did taste better in the float. I can see the nostalgic setting would be a draw for the generations visiting this spot. I would come back, next time I'm in town. read more

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We loved this roadside stand! I personally thought the hot dog was delicious and the root beer float is made with one of my favorite root-beers! This made for a really fun stop! Glad that the history of this will continue. read more

Douglas Root Beer Barrel - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Douglas, Michigan

From inside from the iconic root-beer-barrel-like structure, they pour a good root beer, and make fine floats, which they push outside through a window. There are tables and grass between two parking areas, which is very nice, but you have to keep a close eye on little ones as either direction has some potential for danger. Toward the southwest side, there is another outbuilding with restroom. Thanks Douglas Root Beer Barrel, for a good "brew." read more

Douglas Root Beer Barrel - Root Beer Float in collector mug. - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Douglas, Michigan

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good root beer and def on sweeter side. they sell cherry chips which are apparently popular in michigan and worth a try! like how causal the vibes are. def a cute date spot read more

Douglas Root Beer Barrel - barrel - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Douglas, Michigan

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Long line, but worth the wait. Young hopefuls working it, did a fabulous job. The dog was delightful and although I did not partake in the rooter float, I was assured by my group that they were fabulous and delicious and delectable. read more

Douglas Root Beer Barrel - Outside - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Douglas, Michigan

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This was such a fun stop on my way out of Saugatuck. It's hard for me to pass up a restaurant that is shaped like anything - much less of a barrel serving hotdogs. I was kind of in a hurry and I was in and out with a hotdog and root beer in my belly within 10 to 15 minutes. The people working there were real quick and the hotdog were delicious. The seating area is nice and grassy with picnic tables and also has a sign so you can learn about the history of the barrel! I only feedback is that I wish there was more than one spot showing the menu because when kids are hanging on the sandwich board (which seems common) it's quite hard to see what the options are! I ordered a normal hotdog, but definitely would go back and order a more special one next time. read more

Douglas Root Beer Barrel - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Douglas, Michigan

So cute! We saw this place as we were driving and absolutely had to stop. Where I live, root beer is nonexistent. It's around, but rare. I figured, "Hey, I'm in Michigan, let's give it a try!" and I'm so glad I did. It was busy with a slight line, but they helped people quickly. There were a lot of seats in the area, but all were taken. I took that as a good sign! People were ordering a lot of hotdogs, but I skipped that day. I'd definitely return to try one though since people looked pleased. I shared a root beer float and it was perfect for a hot day! I loved the flavor and it was just what I needed. I spent some time reading the historic notice nearby and I'm so glad that the town bought it FOR A DOLLAR and saved it. I love it! read more

Even if you don't want a meal... best root beer! Period! Fun space for whole family. Hot dog options are great and simple. Cornhole... plenty of seating. Great spot. read more

Had to stop in and so glad I did - this place is such a fun concept. Tasted a few different root beers and the vibe of the space is super cool. Worth popping in! read more

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A must when you are in the Douglas/Saugatuck area. It's definitely a local attraction. Drinks: Root Beer, Diet Root Beer, Orange Ice Cream Soda. For the floats comes with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Food: Hotdogs There is plenty of sitting area around. In summer the likes are always long but it's worth it to check out! read more

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What a unique and fantastic spot. The root beer is amazing as you would guess and the hot dogs are fantastic too. Lots of parking and outdoor seating. Perfect for a pre- or post- Oval Beach visit. read more

Lowkey running a scam. If you read their sign it says their claim to fame was "footlong hot dogs frosted glasses and root beer" and prided themselves on affordability and I paid $11 for a Nathan hot dog and Barqs read more

What a fun, quirky giant root beer barrel stand. Serving root beer and root beer floats, coney dogs and sides, this is a must stop when you are in the area. The stand is manned by polite young teens who do a great job. Our group really enjoyed the delicious root beer and coneys! Room for kids to run around and lots of tables to enjoy your beverages and food. There is a plaque there with the history of there barrel and stand. A must read before you hit the road. read more

This was right down the street from our vacation rental. They were out of the orange and the diet root beer at the time we went so we just got regular root beer. It was tasty and is served with no ice. I would like to try a float. The employees are friendly and the barrel is cool. read more

Super cute spot for root beer, and to grab a hot dog or Mac n cheese, etc. lots of picnic tables to sit at and corn hole to pass the time read more

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Stopped by again this year and I have to say, I'm even more of a fan. It's just such a fun spot to grab a bite and root beer and hang out. They've got plenty of picnic tables but also adirondack chairs, benches, and even cornhole to play while you're there. My husband and I were here in late August, just in time for yellow jacket season, and I was pleasantly surprised to find netting around pretty much all the picnic tables, keeping the bugs at bay so you can enjoy your meal. First meal I'd had that week where I wasn't even a little bit stressed about getting stung. Very appreciated! read more

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What a cute little place to stop by for an ice cream float. We vacation in the area and stop by the root beer barrel every night for floats during our week in Michigan. The kids love, trying out all the flavors and ice cream sundaes. It is true nostalgia to see this place every year, and we hope that they continue their success. They also offer sausages and hotdog style for lunches. I haven't tried that yet, but it's on the list. read more

Best root beer we have had in a long time. It had a very robust root beer flavor which I don't feel you get from the rootbeer sold in stores. read more

Our family stopped here on the way back to our cottage from Oval Beach. We have driven past it for years but never had time to grab a bite. It was a happy surprise to find good food at very reasonable prices. All the seating is outdoor and there are several picnic tables with bench seating. We stopped by at dinner time and the tables could have used a little wipe down from all day use. Other than that no complaints and I'm excited to stop here again next season. read more

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Our visit to Douglas Root Beer Barrel was decent, but there were a few areas that could be improved. The coney dog was average, and the root beer didn't have a particularly unique taste. Honestly the Great Lakes Michigan Cherry BBQ chips were the highlight--they were crispy and complemented the food nicely. Since it's a walk-up concession stand, and outdoors, the atmosphere was casual and laid-back, which we appreciated, but the place was quite busy. Seating consists of a handful of picnic tables, most without shade, even though there are umbrellas. Additionally, the parking situation can be hit or miss, so be prepared for potential challenges in finding a spot. Overall, our experience at Douglas Root Beer Barrel was satisfactory, but nothing stand out that will put it on our *must visit* list on future visits to the area. read more

Douglas Root Beer Barrel - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Douglas, Michigan

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Awesome chili dogs and Chicago dogs! The root beer is pretty darn tasty as well. It's inspiring that the town rallied behind the preservation of this iconic landmark! read more

This is such a unique place to visit! The service is quick and friendly! The menu is small, but has a lot of great options, and of course the root beer is great! Such a cool place to visit, it's family friendly and has lots of outdoor seating! read more

ONLY 5 EXTRA DOLLARS FOR A MUG WITH DISCOUNTED REFILLS?! I already got 3 refills within 2 days. Great area and very family friendly. Totally recommend for anyone in the area!! read more

Our family loves this place! Hot dogs and root beer floats at an unbeatable price! Such a fun part of our vacations! read more

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Stopped at this place because of the building. I wish I left after taking a quick picture. The place is completely infested with bees, they were out of chili and Mac and cheese which is a pretty big deal considering their menu is already limited. Also as a side note, they were playing music with a lot of swearing. I'm not a prude or anything but it just seemed inappropriate for a family restaurant. All of that being said, the bees were really what made it intolerable. There were more bees in their dining area than I've ever seen in one place. read more

How could this giant barrel stand not catch your eye as you're in the area? I saw the building and I needed to stop by to check it out. It was apparently an old drive thru stand in it's past and was restored and moved to it's current location. The root beer is from Sprechers in Wisconsin, so I thought that was a bit odd since we were in Michigan. But I thought the snacks were a good value. The hot dogs were unique (like Mac n cheese dog). The Mac and cheese was actually legit good, so good that we ordered another while we were there. The root beer float was a good refresher during the afternoon we were there. The location also had some nice umbrella covered picnic tables and games like bags available for play. Nice spot, glad to have checked it out and stretch the legs and a photo op as well read more

Root beer had a great flavors and as well as the hot dog. My only issue is that the hot dog was lukewarm. read more

Douglas Root Beer Barrel - Chicago dog and root beer - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Douglas, Michigan

Root beer floats are still the way to go, however we had their hot dog options and they were excellent! Got a Classic Chicago dog with all the fixings piled high. Got a chili cheese dog and it couldn't even be picked up because their was so much goodness on top. Got the "Robbie" that had peppers, onions, Swiss cheese, and A-1 sauce. Also, the side of Mac and Cheese for $4 could feed a family! All the food was great and the floats were awesome as always. The line looks long, but it moves quickly! read more

Douglas Root Beer Barrel - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Douglas, Michigan

Like most people, I came here mostly out of curiosity. A giant barrel is sure to grab most people's attention while on the way to the beach. Basically they had this giant barrel somewhere else in Douglas and there was this big community effort to restore and repurpose it into a root beer stand. I must say, I don't drink a lot of root beer floats but this was by far the best root beer float I've had. I would highly recommend! read more

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