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    Symons General Store

    4.3 (53 reviews)
    Closed 9:00 am - 7:00 pm

    Symons General Store Photos

    Business Info

    SYMONS GENERAL STORE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Good for kids
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Symons General Store

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    Yummy local and unusual mustard options
    Stacie B.

    We have been past this shop multiple times but it is always so full that we skip it, but after reading a few reviews and visiting it ourselves I can now see why...and is worth braving the crowds to go inside! Once in you see how it is the older store of years ago with fun wall to ceiling shelves piled with all kinds of delectable options. They have sauces, jams, pastas, chocolates, dry goods and a whole assortment of hard to find items. It was a delight to spend some time looking through the shelves. The store is on the small side so the aisles are narrow but you do want to peruse each one to see all the amazing items. They have a great menu as well as some seating outside if you choose to stay onsite to eat. It is also great for grabbing something to take to a local park or on your walk around. They have a lot of hot and cold options so something for everyone! I liked that they had both local and international items so we could try new things or favorites. Very fun spot to check out and use for the muse for your next cooking experience.

    Lake Street Sanger - sub cheddar cheese for swiss and add avocado
    Caitlyn C.

    Yum!! Had a delicious breakfast sandwich before leaving my trip to Petoskey. It was the Lake Street Sanger sub cheddar and add avocado. The store was very cute inside and had lots of local and yummy items for purchase, as well as a wine cellar in the basement. The service was great, staff was friendly and helpful and the sandwich took about 10 min to make as it was a busier morning. Great shop!

    Menu
    Rachel F.

    I grew up going to Symons General store. I think I had my first croissant here and would frequently stop by for them after my orthodontist appointments . Now, when I'm home visiting, I stop by for a sandwich or cheese and to roam the aisles of this nostalgic store. I love their Italian sandwich on a wrap- highly recommend. I recently got a breakfast sandwich but was so disappointed, it was cold in the middle (specifically the sausage) so I threw it out. The only reason I'm still giving 4 stars is because I've never had this happen to me in the 15 m+ years I've been going here, it usually serves high quality food and has great service. I thinks this is a unique place, check it out if you're in the Petoskey area!

    Kat L.

    Seriously! everyone who lives in or is visiting Petoskey needs to hop on over to Symons. It's amazing. They have everything you could ever want in a general store. Make sure to go downstairs and check out the wine cellar. Everyone who works at the store is so friendly and will help you pick out the perfect cheese and wine paring. Can't wait to go back. Make sure to grab a glass and sit out on the back patio if weather is nice. Super clean, easy parking downtown, and just an all round fun store.

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    9 months ago

    Make sure you ask the price of Bourbon before you buy it. I bottle Blantons $300.I think we can all agree that is taking advantage .

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    4 years ago

    Delicious food, generous portions, we enjoyed our lunch on the lawn near by, was a great picnic.

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    3 years ago

    Great fresh made to order sandwiches!! A must stop place to try!!! Always great food and great staff!!

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    3 years ago

    I've been shopping here for 40+ years. I may stop now as they just began an up charge for credit cards - 3.5%!!!!

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    Page 1 of 2

    Ask the Community - Symons General Store

    Review Highlights - Symons General Store

    They have a fantastic deli counter in the back for fresh made sandwiches with the finest ingredients.

    Mentioned in 4 reviews

    Read more highlights

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    4.7(233 reviews)
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    This was such a great find while in Petoskey! We came here for some lunch on a Saturday. It was a…read morelittle crowded but line moved very quickly. The staff was so friendly. All of the tables were full in the dining room but by the time our food was done, we were able to grab a table. My lunch was delicious. I had the Some Like fish (Melt) - Albacore tuna salad with smoked cheddar and roasted tomato grilled on dark rye. I added one of their soups of the day - Tomato Gorgonzola. It was my favorite part! I love delis and this one did not disappoint. If I lived closer, I would eat there very frequently! My kid loved his peanut butter and jelly sandwich. And my husband loved his sandwich called Gotta Try This with roasted turkey breast with avocado, alfalfa sprouts & sun-dried tomato mayonnaise on pepper parmesan bread! Overall, this place was amazing!

    Everything tomato from pictures on the walls to salt and pepper shakers on the tables in this…read morequaint little soup/salad/sandwich shop. Diners place their orders at the counter where the friendly staff hands out drink cups, dishes up cups or bowls of soup or fruit, cookies or brownies and slices of quiche. They deliver the remainder of the food to your table. I ordered a grilled sandwich on cherry pecan bread and filled with white cheddar and bacon. It came with a small bag of plain potato chips and a quarter slice of pickle. Along with a fountain soda, the total rang up to $16+. While tasty, the sandwich seemed small and nothing spectacular. I hoped they might have slipped in a juicy slice of tomato (Julienne Tomato after all). My friend ordered quiche, a cup of fresh fruit and a double-chocolate brownie along with her drink. She said it was "good."

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    Julienne Tomatoes - Inside seating area

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    Julienne Tomatoes - Turkey sandwich

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    Palette Bistro - Crabcakes on fresh micro greens

    Palette Bistro

    3.9(425 reviews)
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    We came here on a recommendation. Glad we did! Amazing views of the bay! We opted for first floor…read moreseating inside with a view. There is rooftop, bar, and patio seating too. We got there at 4pm just when happy hour started. Score!! $5 cocktails (select drinks) and 40% off small plates. Pretty amazing happy hour! We orders non-happy hour drinks - the hibiscus spritz was the perfect summer drink! We order a few small plates - the Mezzi, short ribs, and crab cakes. Delicious!! Service was great! I saw a few pups when we left. The patio is dog friendly! Always good to know!

    After a long day of exploring northern Michigan, we were happy to be able to snag a reservation at…read morePalette Bistro to feed our hungry bellies. Located close to downtown Petoskey, Palette Bistro offers views of the lake from their back porch, indoor seating, and a nice front patio. We were seated out front and greeted promptly by our friendly server. We started the meal with the crab cakes, and I decided on a farmer's pasta with salmon as my entree. In between we had fresh bread with a sweet balsamic and olive oil for dipping. Our server was fantastic. Appropriately attentive, and going the extra mile to help grab things for kiddo (like a coloring sheet and mug full of crayons), to make sure that everyone enjoyed the meal. The ambiance is relaxed and definitely a vacation vibe, and we enjoyed winding down our day that way. If you're in the area and need a place to grab dinner, Palette Bistro deserves a spot on your list!

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    Palette Bistro - Upstairs bar

    Upstairs bar

    Palette Bistro - Watermelon Gazpacho

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    Palette Bistro - His & Hers cocktails

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    His & Hers cocktails

    The Beacon

    The Beacon

    3.6(85 reviews)
    0.1 mi

    Me and my girlfriend went here for a date night and I don't regret it. It was on a Thursday which…read moreis "Gnocchi night" and it didn't disappoint! Our food came out within 25 minutes which is a little longer than I'd like to wait as an impatient person but the food spoke for itself! Plus the views are incredible. Thank you Becca for serving us! You were very diligent, and kept the drinks coming!

    This was not simply a disappointing dining experience--it was a clear example of how a lack of…read moreservice standards, compounded by an even more concerning management response, can undermine an otherwise capable establishment. To start with what was done well: the food was very good, and my request for a table with a view was honored. The kitchen is evidently not the issue. The service, however, was unacceptable. I would rate it a 0 out of 10 without hesitation. Our server, Maddison, did not introduce herself, did not offer recommendations, and made no attempt to guide or elevate the experience. The only initial interaction was, "What can I get for you?"--and that tone carried throughout the evening. There was no presence, no attentiveness, and no effort to deliver even baseline hospitality. We were seated, served, and effectively ignored. On multiple occasions, our server made direct eye contact with our table and chose not to approach. That is not a subtle oversight--it is a visible lapse in service. There is a clear distinction between giving space and neglecting guests, and this fell firmly into the latter. I also ordered a non-alcoholic Bloody Mary. While pricing is understood and not in question, the value of the overall experience did not come close to justifying what was charged--because service is a fundamental part of that value. What is most telling, however, is what happened next. Rather than immediately posting publicly, I extended the professional courtesy of addressing this privately with management. My message was clear, measured, and rooted in industry understanding. I explicitly stated that my concern was service--not pricing, not food quality. The response I received was defensive from the outset. I was told the server is "introverted," "passive," and new. That may explain behavior, but it does not excuse it. Guests are not there to adapt to staff limitations; the business is responsible for maintaining standards regardless of who is on the floor. I was then told my experience was a matter of "interpretation," as though repeated lack of engagement and visible neglect are subjective rather than observable. This kind of deflection speaks volumes. Most concerning was the claim that my message was "blackmail-ish," implying I was attempting to leverage a complaint for compensation. This is categorically false. At no point did I make a demand. Referencing potential resolutions is standard practice in hospitality--not a threat. Choosing to handle concerns privately before going public is professionalism, not coercion. That distinction was either misunderstood or intentionally misrepresented. The final response made it clear that management "disagrees," considers the matter closed, and believes the complaint to be without merit. I was also asked to cease communication. At that point, the issue was no longer just poor service--it was a complete breakdown in accountability. This is not a question of opinion versus opinion. It is a question of whether fundamental service standards are being upheld, and whether guest feedback is taken seriously when it is delivered respectfully and in good faith. The food may bring guests in, but service--and how a business responds when it falls short--is what determines whether they return. In this case, both failed.

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    The Beacon - Interior , table with a great view

    Interior , table with a great view

    The Beacon
    The Beacon - View from my seat on a blustery evening.

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    View from my seat on a blustery evening.

    Symons General Store - bakeries - Updated May 2026

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