Went in on a Sunday evening with parents, grandparents, and sister. There was a sign just outside the door saying they were understaffed and that our patience was appreciated. I took this in account with my review The atmosphere and place was good, clean. Service was good and friendly. Fairly busy when we came in, so the chefs were probably working hard (considering they were understaffed) We seated ourselves on a clean table next to the shuffleboard table that we were able to enjoy for free. We received napkins and utensils after our food which was not optimal, but understandable under current circumstances. We were notified that they were out of Cod, it's the favorite it seems My order: Pulled Pork Sandwich with fries - Contains pulled pork, bbq, coleslaw, and pickles on the side - Came almost cold, it's warmth was dissipated - Pork was a bit dry, but good - Barely any bbq to taste - Bun had too much bread on top half, skinny bottom half - Coleslaw tasted like nothing, which leads me to believe they get coleslaw from a supplier - Pickles tasted great, I didn't put them in the sandwich and ate them by themselves - The fries are fantastic and taste like they are made in-house, it's a shame they came a bit cold - Overall it was good - Dish recommendations: get better buns to make it more balanced, better bbq quality as this one tasted like a cheap, common one you can get at the store, better coleslaw Had a bite out of my sister's Cheese Pizza crust off the kids menu since she doesn't eat the crust. Great crust, well made and tasted good. Had a bite out of my dad's Loaded Pulled Pork Fries (appetizer that he had for dinner) - it had a good combo of flavors, the cheese tasted like the cheaper nacho cheese you can get at the store - I would recommend to replace the nacho cheese with another type of cheese to really wrap up the dish well, I do not think nacho cheese is the answer - Would recommend, tasty and a strong appetizer Negatives: - Some ingredients were cheap which made the other ingredients and dishes they make well go down in "value" and potential - Food came almost cold Positives: - The negatives can be fixable with changes here and there - The quality of the food is good and better than other places even with the understaffing problems they have which they clearly state near the door which I mentioned earlier - The upside potential is great if they fix their understaffing issues and make some tweaks to their ingredients and dishes Overall a solid place to go to with a good atmosphere and selection of food. I have been here before and will probably go again in the future as I prefer this place over others at the moment read more

We frequently make the trip to go to the Sand Bar! The food is always on point and we love trying the specials! Our girls are super picky about pizza and request Sand Bar pizza all the time! I have to add that the view is amazing, it's always incredible just sitting and enjoying a meal/drink by the water! Highly recommend!!! read more

Sand bar was recently sold in December and the changes have been amazing. The food is amazing now. They even have breakfast now! Service is good. Stop in and try them again you won't be disappointed!!! read more

Menu items and ambiance has improved but can see challenges during busy times with service. We had several mistakes with our order or missing items. The waitresses were doing the best they can, just overwhelmed. read more

Love this place and they truly have made great improvements over the past year or so!! Just had a great burger there and the atmosphere is wonderful. Great staff! I definitely will be back for sure. Noticed a big table with the pizza and that is going to be on the list for sure to order next time read more

waitress called our whole table retards would definitely not recommend. service is awful. food was bland. wayyyy over priced. definitely not somewhere I would take my kids ever again! sad to see a small business with such awful customer service. read more

Service was horrible. Table of 7 took over 40 minutes to get our food that was brought out in three waves over 5 minutes a piece. Asked to speak with a manager, she came out and told the table this is not fast food and there was only one cook but on Saturday they would be fully staffed. When leaving the door to the kitchen was open with no screen to the outside. The manager was sitting outside smoking. Never saw the manger helping out staff on the floor except to bus one table. Had to get up from the table to get salt/ pepper, ketchup and malt vinegar from another table that had left. Beautiful view of the lake. read more

If you're not in a hurry- and I can think of no reason you should be if you enjoy the taste of alcohol and don't hate sitting directly beside freshwater lakes (when weather permits) or hunkering down in log cabins (when it doesn't)- this place is ace on most counts. "Don't come here if you have arachnophobia," said the 12-year-old boy who sat by the spider-friendly rail by the lake. This 12-year-old boy, who is not particularly arachnophobic, could think of no other negatives. In fact this was the ONE place during a month-long visit to Michigan that our party of four- two adults and two "rascals"- agreed had good food on both visits. The calzones and fish tacos were particular favorites. My own assessment is under the influence of Michiganese beers- including the Bells Two Hearted, Keeweenaw Widowmaker, and Cheboygan Blood Orange- but that's how beer works, you see? And to be sure, the service was slow on both visits. But that just meant all the more time to enjoy the place, where it's easy to get a lakeside seat on any weeknight or weekends before 4/5. read more

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Had the worst service, last month . Came into Grill with family for dinner. Waited for 2 hours, for food. Kept being told that someone is coming in to cook. While a couple tables came in 30 mi. After and getting food. We finally walked out. read more

The food was great! It did take a little while, but there was only one cook, so totally understandable. Worth the wait, and the prices are fantastic. We'll be back! Totally recommend. Just be patient. read more

Seems to be mismanaged in service and for one event attended. The overall atmosphere was not very friendly. Later, called listed phone for Sandbar & Grill but could not get through to anyone. Place does not seem to have a coherent plan in how to do quality business. read more

I'm here in Michigan on vacation and my girlfriend and I looked up places to eat. This was way down on the list. It needs to go to the top of the list because the place is beautiful and a great view of Long lake. The food was fantastic! I had wildcat cardiac burger and it was giant and delicious! At least 2 lb​s of meat!!! Delicious and cooked to perfection! The service was incredible, Thank you Rob! What a great experience! read more

Love the log cabin and up north feel! Right on the water with an outdoor view of the lake. Plenty of space for a date night, small group or large party. Typical bar food items but they sure are good! We got the bar appetizer that came with spinach artichoke dip that was delicious, onion rings, mozzarella sticks, and chicken fingers. Bar staff will hook you up and make decent drinks. You should ask for Spubs I think is his name, real great guy and just as good of a bartender. You have plenty of options to choose from and their beer menu is better than most! Bathrooms are large and spacious! Lots of open space in the place too. The bar has a boat turned upside down and that's where a lot of the glasses are kept, it's pretty neat! They had someone singing live and the songs in between were rock and country favorites. Live entertainment was pretty darn good! I'll definitely be coming back. read more

We've come here a few times. There's not a ton of options in the area. Every time it takes like 2 hours to get your food. I was disappointed with the hygiene, bartenders handling dirty dishes then serving food without hand washing. There were flies, apparently it's common. read more

We went out there with some family from out of state service was great and the food was amazing super glad this was our choice

Loved the atmosphere but service was Ridiculously slow! We came in on our boat and it was only half full, between the waitress and the bartender they couldn't keep up. Needless to say it took two hours to get a couple of drinks and an appetizer!! Felt kinda sorry for the two girls who were working as I would check this up to poor scheduling. Although the appetizers were good once we did get them. Half of our group left very disappointed as this was their first time there and said they will not be back. read more

Management is rude. Food is not worth the hassle of getting every single order wrong and one completely missing.

Okay...great pizza and awesome cheese bread! I would give more stars if mistakes hadn't been made and they had more staff. Don't get me wrong, ours was great until they threw a party of 20+ at her. Then, our pizza was wrong, we had to ask twice for everything...like plates for our food? But...pretty decent food. read more

Sand Bar & Grill - Mural on the wall. You have to take a picture, right? - Bars Near Me - Alpena, Michigan

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Getting chased off the lake to take refuge at the Sandbar & Grill was nirvana! Nicely priced libations and a well rounded menu, (definitely try the ultimate sampler), will leave you a most happy boater, unless of course you are a landlubber! Regardless how you arrive at the Sandbar you will depart as one happy camper!! read more

Sand Bar & Grill - a sunset over the ocean - Bars Near Me - Alpena, Michigan

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Service IS a bit slow... But, the food is fabulous. Was there Saturday, August 31, and it was our tenth visit. We just love the food and inexpensive draft beer. If you are not in a hurry, it is a very enjoyable experience... Sip your drafts, eat your food when it gets to the table, and just kick back and enjoy yourself. Awesome views of the lake. Try the "Big Gravelly Burrito". AWESOME!!! read more

Decent food. (It's a bar) great up north atmosphere. Nice view of the water. Outside seating on the deck and a place to park your boat. Negative reviewers think they're restaurant critics. Funny how people try to ruin a business because they're over sensitive. read more

We have come here before and the food has always been good today the blooming onion was burnt potato skins were burnt we are just not happy tonight And there was Greece on everything on the outside of the containers. read more

Unfortunately they were understaffed. The restaurant was fairy empty but the boats were given service. Too bad. We left. They lost out on a party of six. read more

Very cute on the inside right on the water. Terrible bartender who swore every other word. very off put for an out of towner. The bartender made this place a very sour experience! read more

First time I've ever been compelled to write a review was after eating here. Service was sloooow. They had lots of help, but couldn't seem to get their customers waited on. The kitchen lost my husband's order altogether, my kids and I finally got ours after and hour and a half. We saw many other patrons get their food wrapped up to go after it finally came. The food was definately not worth the wait. Ho-hum food at premium prices. I will never return. I would never recommend this place unless you just want to get drunk on the dock. There seemed to be plenty of that, along with cursing loudly in front of my young kids. read more

Drinks were great, Todd the bartender was friendly and on top of his game. Order the ultimate sampler , more than enough for 2 people. Very good and priced well! Will be back read more

One star is too many for our horrible experience! We stopped in while we were in the area camping. Gorgeous few of Long Lake from out seat, where we barely received service and had to wait over an hour for our appetizer to come out!! They finally told us the kitchen was "backed up" and didn't give us an ETA for our meals. We were there a total of 2 hours, had to get our own refills on drinks, and finally left without getting our meals. We were more than friendly and tried giving the restaurant the benefit of a doubt, but no one so much as apologized for our delay and wasted time. They are in desperate need of new wait staff and "management" if that's indeed what she was on 7/5/18. However, the live music was FANTASTIC. read more

Stopped in for the first time for lunch. Service and food are sub par. My husband was served a beer from a fresh tapped keg that was all the sediment from the keg. Ordered their Cuban sandwich and was missing part of the sandwich. Also a fish dinner and did not get the coleslaw. Then when we were waiting for our bills our friend was coming from the bathroom and the waitress asked our friend to take our bills back to our table with her, their were only 2 other tables in the place. read more

Good food and brews. However, if there's a live band playing with two older gentleman it's NOT the greatest live music. It made me feel that I was overdressed in a t shirt and shorts. Anyways, great service and everything else......I would of requested ear plugs though. read more

This place has so much potential. Haven't eaten here in quite some time because historically the food has been horrible. Apparently the place has new owners and the burger I ordered was pretty good. I'm HUGE on customer service and it was not that great hence the 3 stars. I'd give it another try though. read more

Had a great experience here. Too our pontoon boat right up ti the dock, went in, they set up a table for 7 right away, we ordered our apps and food and drinks. Everything was great. Would go back anytime read more

Worst restaurant experience I've ever had. Food was forever to come out and others who came in after us got served before we did. An hour and a half after ordering our food finally came after we complained to the manager and the food was terrible. My wife had a bug in hers, french fries were cold and hard. Will never return and certainly wouldn't recommend this place. Very disappointed. read more