Randy&#x27;s Diner

My family stopped here while I was on a work trip up there. We'd heard it was a good place to check…read moreout so we made it a point to check it out. The service was fast and they obviously knew what they were doing. The price wasn't bad and the food was fantastic. I would definitely get there early as it started to get packed later on.

Most notable: Varied menu, fast service and very nice employees. Tater tots came out hot and…read morecrunchy. Black bean burger was a little dry but that's to be expected, honestly. Friends had the JD and the basic cheeseburger and loved them. The burgers are good size and served very hot. Dining area is small and well kept. Outdoor seating is limited. All in all, good experience.

Inside

Slab Town Special

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Oakwood Proper Burgers

4.7(151 reviews)

0.8 mi

Fantastic burger. Amazing service from the owners! Dope spot. Patio is fantastic. Music…read moreselection was perfect vibe. Run, don't walk

Not a large place, but it feels very welcoming and the do have a good size outdoor seating. This is…read morethebtype of place were you order at the counter and pay and they bring the food out to you. The have 1/3 pound smash burgers. I ordered the El Padre Burger ($17). This burger has Candied Bacon, Pepper Jack Cheese, Grilled Poblanos, Lettuce, Grilled Onions, Chipotle Bbq sauce. The burger was very good. However it's not the best burger I've had in TC. The candied bacon was good, but not candied enough. There also wasn't enough of the bbq sauce. The quality of meat was good, but again wasn't the tastiest I've had in TC. The burger is definitely worth getting with the caveat that it isn't exceptional. The burger comes with Great Lake Potatoes Chips, due to they give you a pond of fries if you order fries. I didn't. I did order a Chocolate Shake ($9). It is a thick shake and reminds me of a Frosty, just more chocolaty. I enjoyed it, but I love frostys. The service was enthusiastic and friendly. Overall a solid 4 star review. Would I return? Yes, I would. Sometimes you crave a smash burger and this definitely hits that bill. Definitely worth a visit.

Interior

Chili queen and side of fries

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Inside

Glendale Burger Shop

4.5(52 reviews)

3.2 mi

I think the two premier burgers spots in Traverse City are Slabtown Burgers and Glendale Burger…read moreShop and in my opinion, Glendale wins by a landslide. Insanely good smashburgers, perfectly cooked fries, and simpler menu that makes a few things really well. I had their version of a patty melt along with some Parm fries. My wife wasn't super impressed with the olive burger, but we loved the vibe and would definitely come back again when we're in TC.

We gave Glendale Burger Shop a shot this weekend and they delivered a great smash burger and nice…read morefries! The Oliver (triple) was exactly what I'd been craving in a Michigan-style olive burger. The pimento olive spread was generously slathered on to the crispy lacey-edged smash burger patties topped with Swiss cheese on a nicely toasted brioche bun. The olive spread was perfect...just enough to be bursting with flavor, but not so overpowering that it dominated the entire burger. The fam tried The Junction and The Laura, both on lightly toasted Gluten Free buns. The Junction (Glendale's version of the classic Oklahoma onion burger) was very good, and the GF bun was met with positive reviews. Glendale even offers GF fries, which were excellent (their normal fries are seasoned & battered; but the GF fries were a bit better). If you're looking for a thicker, juicier burger, this is not your place. These are straight up paper thin, crispy smashers. And if that's what you're looking for, I'd recommend no less than a double, if not a triple. Drink selections include bottles of various Northwoods sodas, sparkling water, and other choices from the cooler. Glendale presents as an old-school diner, with cool decorations and some posters of Saginaw heritage (the owner's roots). Speaking of the owners...the lady working the register and delivering food to everyone was one...and she was super sweet and nice. It made for a great experience right out of the gate as we were figuring out what we wanted to order. You walk up to the counter and order, then they deliver to your table; or you can sit on a stool at the counter, just like a classic diner. Plenty of seating, but when they get busy, it fills up quickly, yet the service remains fast for the cooked-to-order burgers & fries. Décor is fun (they have a Big Boy!) & fitting for the diner vibe. The entire place is extremely clean and well kept. Pride of ownership shines through in the entire experience.

This was the Oliver, made it a double. Awesome.

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Bergstrom's Burgers

4.3(97 reviews)

5.9 mi

Bergstrom's burgers in Traverse City is so much more than just "a burger place"!…read more They buy everything local and fresh: They have weekly specials that range from French dip, to southern cuisine, and are two numerous to list! Check out their Facebook for the weekly specials and photos. They have amazing appetizers such as the zucchini strips that we adore and dip them in every kind of sauce that they have. The burgers are absolutely juicy plus the toppings make it even better, unique flavors that you can't care anywhere else. We also love the fact that you can get a mini version of the burgers if you can't eat a whole one, because it's such a generous portion! Since everything is made to , it takes a little bit of time so be sure to relax, your favorite beverage, and chat with the fantastic staff and owners.

The atmosphere here is a collision of construction meets 70's Rock n Roll diner. A little bit of a…read morejoke there as the outside is undergoing a remodel. This is the type of place were you order and pay at the counter and they give you a number and bring the food out to you. Think Culvers if you have been there. I ordered the Cherry Bomb Burger ($17). This is a 1/2 lb cherry burger with bacon, cherry jam, raclette cheese, and aioli. This was an excellent burger. The cherry flavor is not a. overwhelming cherry flavor, more of a side note. You can still taste the quality meat that was cooked perfectly. I upgraded ($5) to the Onion Ring combo. The onions were large and thick with a nice coating on them. Nice and crunchy and very tasty. The service was a mixed bag. The 1st interaction was okay. A little lackluster in the energy. I forgot my coat and I came back n to grab it. It was set by the counter waiting for me. Since I was there I was going to order a shake. However the attendant was too busy having a conversation in the back to serve a customer. Overall a solid 4 star review. The food is probably 5 star, but the service brings it down to a 4. Would I return. Yes, the food is definitely worth a visit.

Inside

The Cowboy Burger served w/4 hushpuppies. $19.00 (no side). (2025)

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Outside construction

Bubba's Burgers And Bar

4.0(732 reviews)

1.5 mi

Visited Bubba's when visiting TC for my first time and glad I chose here for lunch!…read more It was a Sunday and the place was packed but was able to find a seat at the bar since I was solo. There are large screens that had a game on and noise wasn't too loud. The bartender was attentive and service was great despite the rush. There was a good selection of beer on tap and other cocktails. I had the Haystack burger with fries and ordered it cooked medium. It was cooked perfect and was very tasty. If visiting Traverse City, make sure to check them out if looking for a great place for a beer and burger!

The atmosphere here very much feels like a tavern. However a tavern with a welcoming feel to it…read more I ordered the Shrek Burger ($22). The 1/2 pound burger is topped with Fried Cheese, Fresh Jalapeño, Pulled Pork, Cole Slaw, Haystack Onions, Bourbon BBQ Sauce. The burger was very good with a few caveats. The pulled pork is very average and doesn't add anything to the burger. The fried cheese was very good and did add to thd burger. The bourbon bbq sauce was meh and didn't add much. However the meat itself is excellent and I think a plainer burger would have been better. The fries that came with the burger were very good. I also ordered a Chocolate Shake and it was fantastic. the service was very good and everyone was very friendly. Overall a solid 4 star review. Would I return? Absolutely. Definitely for the shakes and I very much believe a simpler burger would have been better.

Iced coffee kicker and a side of bacon

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Peanut Butter Shake

7 Monks Taproom

4.3(608 reviews)

1.8 mi

Served within 25 minutes of closing time with a…read more Lively older vibe if you want to escape the racous twentysomething crowd.

Waitress was kinda crappy but still not a bad place. Do have air conditioning. Pretzels were weird…read morebut good. More like a bread. Beer cheese is ok. Which also makes the mac n cheese ahhhh. I wouldn't get it and glad I didn't order it. Beet salad was actually pretty good!! Specially if u like picked beets. Didn't like their homemade dressing that came with it though, it was horrible. Would go again. Was convenient.

Pretzel bites

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Beer flight

Rare Bird Brewpub

4.3(778 reviews)

1.5 mi

Nikki is the best bartender in town! We come from Bay City and our first stop is always Rare Bird…read moreto see Nikki and get drinks!!

Great atmosphere, beers and hospitality!…read more Good selection of food - the pecorino fries are and awesome appetizer.

Outside patio

Lamb burger

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In zehn & cucumber jalapeño margarita

The Workshop Brewing Company

4.3(219 reviews)

2.0 mi

Terrific "local joint".., great feel, great vibe! Wednesday night live jazz band that is…read moreincredible! Food was terrific..."smash burgers" and craft beer...what more could you want! And the service is incredible! Ammie is a "Joy" and absolutely the best! Fun, friendly and attentive and helps you navigate thru the beer menu. A sweetheart..., makes you feel like family...and that is what makes an amazing night into a memorable experience!!!

My girlfriend and I recently returned from a vacation to the area, we spent a day in Traverse City…read more I wasn't impressed with the Workshop in the slightest. Although the wildfire smoke likely kept some people away, we came around mid afternoon in what should be the beginning of prime time hours and the place was empty. Not a good sign. I found it a bit odd that we had to order at the bar, considering only 2 other groups were there. There were like 4 employees just chatting away at the bar as well. At this point I know what I like in craft beers and I usually never have an unpleasant experience trying them, but we liked nothing we ordered on the beer flight! We had put in an order for the BBQ flatbread as an appetizer as well, and the chicken was super dry. I can't blame the sauce for being to spicy since I'm sure it's a popular local brand. That one's on us. We decided to have an actual dinner closer to our cabin.

Inside Workshop Brewing - fun décor - February 2023

Inside Workshop Brewing - cans to go and Kombucha - February 2023

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Don's Drive In

3.8(260 reviews)

2.9 mi

we had a great burger with corn beef was amazing burger…read more also had the onions rings they where huge the best onions rings and we had a delicious strawberry shake made perfectly this place is a hidden gem love everything about it highly recommend going here you wont be disappointed old school ambiance and great service

The best meal we had in traverse city…read more The staff wa so friendly. The prices were very reasonable and the food was great! Had the Rueben burger, Texas burger and chili burger. Are were huge and tasted great. Highly recommend and great for families!

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Raspberry shake

North Peak Brewing Company

3.8(902 reviews)

2.0 mi

After camping for 3 days... eating out is such a treat! We enjoyed food and friendship whilst…read morecelebrating a friend's 40th bday. Ambience was good. Prices are on par with touristy craft beer destinations. We appreciated the quick accommodating service and the waitress going out of her way to find the FIFA England vs. Panama game. Food was good. I had a Caesar salad with sardines added for $2 and a cheddar white ale soup. Everything was good and fresh. I had a bite of hubby's walleye fried fish sandwich and the tartar sauce was out of this world good. I enjoyed the added ginger. Overall, a nice easy stop along the way. We appreciated they could accommodate 10 of us and indulge the birthday guest with a special German chocolate cake that was purchased at another location. Very awesome customer service. Check them out next time you're downtown and want a local brew pub with good food.

The atmosphere here feels like a modern brewery with a casual vibe…read more I ordered a half dozen Cherry Porter Bbq Chicken Wings ($12). The slight cherry tang invthe bbq sauce created a very appetizing taste. The wings were cooked perfectly and I highly enjoyed them. I ordered the Pork Chop dinner ($29). This is a local michigan-raised pork with a cherry apple chutney. The pork chop was excellent and the cherry apple chutney was a great addition. It came with mashed potatoes and a cucumber corn medley. They both were very good. North Peak Brewing makes their own Root Beer. Honestly that why I chose to come here. Thankfully the Root Beer was excellent. The service was friendly, but not very efficient. I think they are short staffed because the bar tender was also my waiter and he was busy bartendering! Overall I still rate this a 5 star review. The Wings, Pork Chop, and Root Beer were all excellent and I would return for any of them. So yes I would Return.

Things to do in Traverse City

Inside

White Cheese Ale Soup

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Exterior front

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7 reviews that are not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

Johnny B.

0

3

0

6 years ago

This place was amazing. 100% recommend. Our waiter was so nice and worked so hard for us and the prices were so very affordable. 11$ for a steak and eggs!! Honestly though couldn't recommend this enough. read more

Albert P.

0

4

11

3 years ago

Every time I go they always have fantastic food shakes pies!!!! I love going there no matter what time of the day!!!! highly recommend from 315undergroundink read more

B K.

0

5

0

3 years ago

Love this place. From the food to the employees. Great group of people and the owners are what being an owner is about. Very kind

Carrie Z.

150

23

0

6 years ago

Great little place to each. Food and menu was great and staff was very welcoming. We will for sure go there again soon!

Jack F.

0

10

0

5 years ago

Great breakfast! Outstanding service and great prices. Family owned with hands on service.

Bryan F.

21

38

16

13 years ago

Slow service cold food. Nice waitress

Will M.

34

2

0

6 years ago

Good spot food good service is good.

Randy's Diner - diners - Updated October 2026

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Willie's Rear

4.0

(22 reviews)

Perfect diner experience! Service is always great. Food is always made to order, and I always use…read morethe Willie's sauce! Definitely will continue coming here

Jim and Beth are the best and I'm sure neither care what Yelp has to say. Great people, great food…read moreand great service. As local as it gets. You can't go wrong with this place. Love it and pray it'll be around for many more years.

Slabtown Burgers

4.6

(594 reviews)

My family stopped here while I was on a work trip up there. We'd heard it was a good place to check…read moreout so we made it a point to check it out. The service was fast and they obviously knew what they were doing. The price wasn't bad and the food was fantastic. I would definitely get there early as it started to get packed later on.

Most notable: Varied menu, fast service and very nice employees. Tater tots came out hot and…read morecrunchy. Black bean burger was a little dry but that's to be expected, honestly. Friends had the JD and the basic cheeseburger and loved them. The burgers are good size and served very hot. Dining area is small and well kept. Outdoor seating is limited. All in all, good experience.

Frank's 231

4.9

(11 reviews)

Loved it here - so glad we stopped in! Our food was AMAZING! We enjoyed everything - my ZLT…read moresandwich was so fresh and yummy and my husband loved his catfish Po Boy. Service was superb as well! Couldn't be happier with our lunch decision.

Definitely suggest!!…read more Came to T.C. to visit a friend and did NOT want to pay for parking and walk around to find food. Holy crap were we surprised! The Thai chicken salad was killer put a little of Vanessa's tropical hot sauce (local hot sauce company now call Maria's) and it was delightfully spicy. My side was corn soufflé and it was delicious Friend got the pupusa and they were also amazing. He got the cucumber salad and it was cold and bright perfect for a how day. Definitely coming back when in town. They gave us homemade almond brittle that was so good! Service was good and food came out quickly. Love this little spot l.

Dick's Pour House

3.9

(89 reviews)

Delicious carry out pizza!…read more The Greek is so unique with a great flavor combo. Good crust & not greasy.

Feels like home. No visit up north is complete without popping in to check on our dear friends…read morewalking in here as a kid walking in to a beloved family members house. Service is friendly. Food is delicious. Surroundings are cozy. It's just good so good.

Bubba's Burgers And Bar

4.0

(732 reviews)

Visited Bubba's when visiting TC for my first time and glad I chose here for lunch!…read more It was a Sunday and the place was packed but was able to find a seat at the bar since I was solo. There are large screens that had a game on and noise wasn't too loud. The bartender was attentive and service was great despite the rush. There was a good selection of beer on tap and other cocktails. I had the Haystack burger with fries and ordered it cooked medium. It was cooked perfect and was very tasty. If visiting Traverse City, make sure to check them out if looking for a great place for a beer and burger!

The atmosphere here very much feels like a tavern. However a tavern with a welcoming feel to it…read more I ordered the Shrek Burger ($22). The 1/2 pound burger is topped with Fried Cheese, Fresh Jalapeño, Pulled Pork, Cole Slaw, Haystack Onions, Bourbon BBQ Sauce. The burger was very good with a few caveats. The pulled pork is very average and doesn't add anything to the burger. The fried cheese was very good and did add to thd burger. The bourbon bbq sauce was meh and didn't add much. However the meat itself is excellent and I think a plainer burger would have been better. The fries that came with the burger were very good. I also ordered a Chocolate Shake and it was fantastic. the service was very good and everyone was very friendly. Overall a solid 4 star review. Would I return? Absolutely. Definitely for the shakes and I very much believe a simpler burger would have been better.

Red Spire Brunch House

4.3

(259 reviews)

Excellent fresh food. Servers are good. The kicker is that it's located in the old state…read morepsychiatric hospital, not a place you'd usually dine in.

The food was very good, the service was good. Our server, Dylan, was friendly, helpful and brought…read moreitems out in a timely manner. The regular coffee was delicious, the stuffed French toast was delicious, the eggs benny was okay, but we would try the omelette next time. The only thing we did not like was the sausage patties. The sausage was good quality but way too sage in it--it overpowered the fennel and other spices in it. I would try the sausage links next time to see if they are less packed with sage. And you definitely need reservations. They say they are recommended, they really should be required on the weekends and peak tourist season.

Karlin Inn

3.5

(15 reviews)

Hadn't been here in like 40 years but wanted a snack while watching a game. Quick drink service;…read morequiet for a Saturday afternoon. Two of us shared the large nachos but wanted a bit more and got the pretzel bites. Very good and wonderful beer cheese dip.

We strolled in at around 5pm, we didn't get out of there until 8:06pm, the food was mediocre and…read moretasted expired, the waitress was really rude, made us wait 15 minutes AFTER our food arrived (which didn't arrive until about 45 minutes after ordering) for our silverware, the waitress was clearly not all there, I'm not going to accuse anyone of anything but it was very clear she wasn't sober. Then it came time to pay, 4 of us walked out and the person paying stayed behind talking to our waitress, when all of a sudden the waitress came barreling out the establishment claiming we "skipped our bill" and screaming at us in the parking lot when clearly the waitress that followed us out KNEW the person that was paying was up at the counter, overall terrible experience and I can't recommend this place to anybody and advise you to actually steer clear of this establishment. My overall review Service 0/5 Food 1/5 (only given a 1 because the pork rinds were good and plentiful) Ambiance 3/5 This review was written by one of the Cinco Nueces.

The Hammered Heifer

4.6

(11 reviews)

I've never reviewed anything online. But looks like Hammered Heifer is popping my cherry. What a…read moregreat first time. The onion burger and onion rings were some of the best I've had anywhere. The vibe of the place was great. You can feel the intention in everything. When up North, we'd always go to a classic burger spot in Glen Arbor, but not sure I'll be needing a burger from there anymore. That place doesn't hold a candle to what the team is doing at The Hammered Heifer. It will be our new up North spot. Mogan, the owner, and his team went out of their ways to make sure everything was great. True artists taking pride in their work. Go, go, go there!

We don't know anyone affiliated with The Hammered Heifer. (I saw few check ins and reviews were…read moretops so I assumed) I stopped in the other night on our way back to Grand Rapids hoping to try something new, as there's not much between Glen Arbor and Cadillac. Omg. What a hidden gem! Best smash burger I've ever had. Largest Smashburger I've ever had. Ginormous hand, battered onion rings the way they should be. We also had the corn ribs and those were truly delicious. Personally I would get it without the sauce next time because I love corn, unadulterated corn. Tons of families with kids outside at the picnic tables, lots of locals, and those passing through. The beer list is great and a full bar out in the barn. Selfishly, I don't want to share how amazing this place is, but selfishly I also want them to exist forever. *Sorry, no pictures because I wasn't sure it was worth my time. I'll update soon.

Old Mission Tavern

5.0

(19 reviews)

Tried it for the first time last and we had a lovely meal. Ambiance is a little dated, but also…read morecharming. Service was outstanding. The food was not dated at all - local, fresh, creative. Cocktails and wine list were excellent. Our favorite food item was the burrata appetizer. We asked for a side of bread and the chef delivered perfectly grilled bread to mop up the last bit of the burrata. Very tasty!

Definitely becoming my favorite northern Michigan restaurant. The food is exceptional and the…read morespecials are always unique. This week's duck breast was amazing. Anna has been our server our last two visits and she is wonderful as is all staff that we have interacted with. The drive up the peninsula is so scenic and the up north vibe makes for just a perfect evening out.

The Towne Plaza

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