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This 70's themed restaurant brings you back to your childhood. The Happy Hour cocktails were yummy. The food was OK, but the ambiance of the place was so fun.
Loved the vibes in this unique spot. Kind of feels like you're hanging out in someone's really cool basement. Menu had some unique options with something for everyone. Beer, wine and cocktail menu was plentiful and the service the quick and nice. My husband had the chicken Sammy and I had the salmon burger, both were amazing with such great combinations of flavors. Fries were just okay. Overall great spot and we'll definitely go back to try more items. The meatloaf looked amazing!
Last Thursday, I was feeling groovy, so I decided to go to The Commons with my wife. We both went to high school and college in the 1970s. While it can be challenging to find and even more difficult to park there, it's worth the hassle. I would suggest parking in the back. As we walked in, the atmosphere was a bit dark, and there was a slight smell of mold. However, we were seated immediately, and the service was consistent throughout our meal. My wife ordered the meatball dinner, which came with mashed potatoes and gravy, along with creamed corn. It reminded her of one of her mother's signature dishes from the 1970s. I opted for the Tropical Vaca Burg with fries. I loved the combination of protein-rich salmon, mango pineapple salsa, and sriracha aioli. The fried onion rings added a nice crunch to the sandwich. I enjoyed it! We will be back!
Chicken tenders weren't very good tbh, and I feel so bad saying that because everything else was good. Fries were thin and crispy just how I like them. The crab dip appetizer was delicious with the won ton chips. Of course our waitress was nice. But maybe pass the chicken tenders when you check out The Commons. Idk if it's the breading mixture or the time amount they are cooked, just too intense of crispy taste that lingers too long on the tongue. They were 3 really nice thick and juicy pieces of chicken though.
First visit and everything was perfect! Friendly staff, great drinks, and tasty food. Loved my handheld. Cozy vibe and unique spot definitely a West Michigan gem.
Cool vibe with super nice employees. My meatloaf was delicious. My family had the olive burgers which was super! High quality beef. The twice baked wings were also a hit.
The Commons is such a great spot for brunch, lunch, dinner, or drinks! A group of us stopped in recently around noon looking for lunch, but the wait was too long as we had a schedule to stick to. We went back later that afternoon and got seated right away during an off-peak dining time. Brunch had ended by the time we went back, but everyone seemed pleased with the lunch/dinner options. I got the twice cooked wings, Nate got the cheesesteak sandwich, and others got the olive patty melt, a basket of fries, and the crab cakes. Our server was great and attentive, and the food was awesome. It also came out pretty quickly! The wings are baked and then fried, giving them a super crispy skin and juicy interior. They're some of the best wings I've had in the area. The dry rub was flavorful without being overly salty - I tried some of the sauce which was sort of like a sweet and sour chili sauce. It wasn't my favorite, but the wings were just fine on their own. I had a couple bites of the cheesesteak, which was cheesy and delicious with lots of meat on a soft roll that held up well. Really good and had a little kick from the jalapenos. I'd definitely get that again. The fries at The Commons are amazing - if you like McDonald's fries, these are basically the same except always delicious, hot, and fresh. The vibe inside is a bit dark, super retro, and fun to explore. There are only a handful of parking spots in the circle drive outside of the building - you'll likely have to park on a side street. The restaurant is slightly hidden in the Oakwood Manor apartment building, but it's off the the left with the entrance under a black awning.
I have lived 0.2 miles away from the commons for almost 2 years now and surprisingly i've never been. definitely on my list but due to lack of vegan options it just wasn't a priority. The atmosphere was so cool. We were celebrating a yoga teaching cert and the lounge area was perfect for our group. I ended up getting the portobello cheesesteak sub vegan cheese. unfortunately the bread was not vegan though so i had to get it on a pita. the mushrooms were seasoned so well and the cheese was nice and melty. the mushroom mix did end up soaking and ripping through the pita though. i got a side salad instead of fries and the dressing and green cherry tomatoes were so good. our server was also great. very attentive and knowledgeable.
11 months ago
I adore The Commons and it's one of my go-to spots in GR when I want a good burger or chicken tenders! It's definitely hidden back as it feels a little set back from the road and in condos, but definitely a gem that should not be slept on! It's usually pretty busy so you should come knowing there may be a wait, but if you're lucky and interested, you should be able to snag a seat at the bar and get pretty quick service! That's where I usually like to sit and talk with the bartenders who are always so friendly! The ranch is absolutely delicious if that's something that is your jam though - and their Wing Wednesday deal? MY FAVORITE!! You can even get it for take out! The vibes inside remind me of a 70s grandma's basement and I absolutely love it! It's not your typical GR restaurant vibe and it's just so fun. I love the no fuss feel and worth it. Definitely worth the wait if you have time! read more
The ambiance is unmatched for late night drinks with a 70s lounge vibe. We came for breakfast, which was decent. The menu was pretty limited and didn't allow for many adjustments, which was difficult to accommodate different allergy preferences. read more
7 months ago
6 months ago
This 70's themed restaurant brings you back to your childhood. The Happy Hour cocktails were yummy. The food was OK, but the ambiance of the place was so fun. read more
3 months ago
The commons has such a fun atmosphere! I absolutely loved their spinach and artichoke dip! Our waitress was super friendly. I will say it does get loud in there, but it was nice for grabbing a drink with a friend! read more
Loved the vibes in this unique spot. Kind of feels like you're hanging out in someone's really cool basement. Menu had some unique options with something for everyone. Beer, wine and cocktail menu was plentiful and the service the quick and nice. My husband had the chicken Sammy and I had the salmon burger, both were amazing with such great combinations of flavors. Fries were just okay. Overall great spot and we'll definitely go back to try more items. The meatloaf looked amazing! read more
Last Thursday, I was feeling groovy, so I decided to go to The Commons with my wife. We both went to high school and college in the 1970s. While it can be challenging to find and even more difficult to park there, it's worth the hassle. I would suggest parking in the back. As we walked in, the atmosphere was a bit dark, and there was a slight smell of mold. However, we were seated immediately, and the service was consistent throughout our meal. My wife ordered the meatball dinner, which came with mashed potatoes and gravy, along with creamed corn. It reminded her of one of her mother's signature dishes from the 1970s. I opted for the Tropical Vaca Burg with fries. I loved the combination of protein-rich salmon, mango pineapple salsa, and sriracha aioli. The fried onion rings added a nice crunch to the sandwich. I enjoyed it! We will be back! read more
11 months ago
2 years ago
Chicken tenders weren't very good tbh, and I feel so bad saying that because everything else was good. Fries were thin and crispy just how I like them. The crab dip appetizer was delicious with the won ton chips. Of course our waitress was nice. But maybe pass the chicken tenders when you check out The Commons. Idk if it's the breading mixture or the time amount they are cooked, just too intense of crispy taste that lingers too long on the tongue. They were 3 really nice thick and juicy pieces of chicken though. read more
11 months ago
First visit and everything was perfect! Friendly staff, great drinks, and tasty food. Loved my handheld. Cozy vibe and unique spot definitely a West Michigan gem. read more
8 months ago
1 year ago
Cool vibe with super nice employees. My meatloaf was delicious. My family had the olive burgers which was super! High quality beef. The twice baked wings were also a hit. read more
The Commons is such a great spot for brunch, lunch, dinner, or drinks! A group of us stopped in recently around noon looking for lunch, but the wait was too long as we had a schedule to stick to. We went back later that afternoon and got seated right away during an off-peak dining time. Brunch had ended by the time we went back, but everyone seemed pleased with the lunch/dinner options. I got the twice cooked wings, Nate got the cheesesteak sandwich, and others got the olive patty melt, a basket of fries, and the crab cakes. Our server was great and attentive, and the food was awesome. It also came out pretty quickly! The wings are baked and then fried, giving them a super crispy skin and juicy interior. They're some of the best wings I've had in the area. The dry rub was flavorful without being overly salty - I tried some of the sauce which was sort of like a sweet and sour chili sauce. It wasn't my favorite, but the wings were just fine on their own. I had a couple bites of the cheesesteak, which was cheesy and delicious with lots of meat on a soft roll that held up well. Really good and had a little kick from the jalapenos. I'd definitely get that again. The fries at The Commons are amazing - if you like McDonald's fries, these are basically the same except always delicious, hot, and fresh. The vibe inside is a bit dark, super retro, and fun to explore. There are only a handful of parking spots in the circle drive outside of the building - you'll likely have to park on a side street. The restaurant is slightly hidden in the Oakwood Manor apartment building, but it's off the the left with the entrance under a black awning. read more
3 years ago
I have lived 0.2 miles away from the commons for almost 2 years now and surprisingly i've never been. definitely on my list but due to lack of vegan options it just wasn't a priority. The atmosphere was so cool. We were celebrating a yoga teaching cert and the lounge area was perfect for our group. I ended up getting the portobello cheesesteak sub vegan cheese. unfortunately the bread was not vegan though so i had to get it on a pita. the mushrooms were seasoned so well and the cheese was nice and melty. the mushroom mix did end up soaking and ripping through the pita though. i got a side salad instead of fries and the dressing and green cherry tomatoes were so good. our server was also great. very attentive and knowledgeable. read more
6 months ago
1 year ago
1 year ago
2 years ago
First of all, let's get one thing straight. The interior of this place is "70's" themed!! NOT 80's. If you think it's 80's, you need to take your young butt to Applebees or something. They definitely nailed it on the whole theme. I don't think there's much of anything that they didn't hit with the vintage vibe. It's dark and cozy inside but it just adds to the atmosphere. The place is definitely tricky to find. It's part of a large apartment building, on the left side corner of the circle drive. So why the 3 stars? First of all parking is not convenient. It's a constant competition for parking with the apartment people. Second is the food. It's not bad, but it wasn't great. Typical tasting food with not a lot of flavor. If you're going all out for a themed restaurant, focus on more of the food from that time, and update it with style and flavor. I just didn't see much of that. Third is price. I don't mind paying a bit more for dinner, but I want it to be something better. I don't want a $80+ check just to drink and eat off vintage plates or glasses, and looking at my old childhood furniture. And finally forth, is service. They were not super busy on a Saturday night, and we were seated right away. Then I almost got up to get someone while for staff to even show up with waters. Each step was a wait. Wait for waters, wait to order food, wait for the food, wait for the check. I'm pretty patient, especially if it's busy, but it wasn't. It was actually kinda frustrating. I usually look for hidden jems and enjoy trying new places. Unfortunately this one isn't worth finding. I'm sorry Commons, your place has a cool vibe. But that's it for me. read more
2 years ago
A hidden gem for sure! Reminds me of my grandparents basement but wayyyy cooler and with adult beverages. Their happy hour SLAPS. Mozzarella sticks were My friends wanted to drink the homemade ranch. read more
Hard to find this place because it's disguised as an apartment building (Oakwood Manor Apartments). It is on the very left side/corner of the building. There's a circle drive in front with few parking spots (2 hr limit). Look for an awning outside the entrance. Inside, you'll be transported back to the 70's. They really stick to the theme with furniture, decor, and even the dish and glassware. My only complaint was that it was extremely dark inside despite the pictures giving off light. The host was very helpful highlighting menu items and giving suggestions. I went with the burger; it had such a nice smell and the buns had a subtle crisp I enjoyed. It was on the saltier side; I wish it had tomatoes or lettuce to lighten it up. The fries were soft and crispy. I also tried the Philly cheesesteak made with prime rib. Honestly, I never saw the appeal of a Philly cheesesteak and this one didn't change my mind either. Straightforward meat and bell peppers on a bun. The portions were just right. Not too much and not too little, though I could always go for extra fries. Receipts have QR codes to pay by phone. read more
2 years ago
1 year ago
A friend of mine did the decorating here, so while I was in town, I had to stop by and check it out. Imagine being on the set of That 70's Show to a certain degree and that's what you have here. I was in town with some friends and we started to get a little hungry, so we stopped in. This place is in the bottom of an awesome building that used to be a hotel (and is now apartments, I believe) and it absolutely awesome inside (thanks to Tylor). The decor isn't the only outstanding thing here.. so is the food. My group got two orders of the Prime Rib Dirty Tator Tots, an order of the Prime Rib sliders and the chicken sandwich (made with thigh meat) as well as a few drinks, including a black cherry hard seltzer. The tots had quite a bit of heat to them. Next time, the consensus is that they should be ordered without them. The prime rib sliders were also tasty, but instead of a side of au jus, I think I would have preferred a creamy horseradish. Still, there wasn't a crumb left on the plate, so I can't complain (just point out..). I also did the blue cheese fries and was pretty happy with those too. Several kept disappearing as a friend kept going back for one more fry.. then another.. then another. Fortunately the serving was more than enough so it was easy to share. There was a lot of debate about the chicken sandwich being made with the thigh instead of the breast. My friend who ordered it wasn't sure if he would like it because it wasn't he was used to. The lighting inside also gave it a grey look instead of the normal fried chicken brown, but after he bit into it, he was happy. Great atmosphere thanks to the decorator and great food thanks to Beth and her culinary team! read more
11 months ago
1 year ago
2 years ago
Hidden Gem in Heritage Hill, Grand Rapids. This place is a little hard to find. It's on the side of the apartment building. If you park in the back lot, go towards the right side of the building and follow the side walk around to the front. As I entered the door, I was taken back to the 70s! The entire place was mid modern century vintage galore. From the furniture to the dining plates and cups. On top of that, the music was also from that era. It was so much fun to take in all of it. The living room was awesome...remind me of a basement. They even have a faux fireplace. My friend ordered a round of shots and the owner came over to see who it was. She told us about decorating the place with stuff she found at her parents house. Really fun woman and you can see the pride she has for her business. I love meeting business owners like that who takes time out to talk to their patrons. It makes me want their business to succeed even more. Food and drinks: I had the pomegranate margarita. My friends ordered the loaded tots, frittata and chicken wings. I thought the wings were awesome. So crispy and the seasonings were on point. We ordered lemon drip shots and it was so good. Come visit this dive restaurant/bar for a trip back in time. read more
The food here is delicious! Definitely feels like down home southern cooking to me. I had the avocado toast and fries which were amazing! My friend has the fried chicken sandwich, which she said was spicy but very flavorful. Definitely good enough to come back for! I recommend checking this place out. It has a nice vibe. Be advised that the line can get long though so plan ahead. read more
There is nothing like this wood paneled, wallpapered, gem of a restaurant anywhere in Grand Rapids. With old-school games, delicious & strong classy cocktails, and a living room set straight out of the 70s, you'll feel transported to your grandmother's basement (but in a good way... as if your grandma had better taste than she actually did back then). We ordered the brussel sprouts (made perfectly unhealthy) and the blue cheese fries, and both were delicious. Those fries alone would bring me back. We ordered the elote mac and cheese which was on point, their fish and chips were delicious, and their burgers were pretty decent too. I ordered a manhattan that came in a cute long stemmed glass, and it was very strong and delicious. I ordered a second. They didn't have many beers on tap, but keep in mind that this is NOT a brewery, which is refreshing in my opinion! We enjoyed our time there, the décor, the living room setting, the games, easy parking, and our food. We will definitely be back soon! read more
LOVE the 70's vibe! They commit to the theme from your drinking glasses to the chairs and all of the decor! Love the lounge vibe there, it is a great place for a couple or a group of friends. We went during happy hour and got a couple drinks and the pretzel nuggets for an app. The drinks were very well made and the pretzel nuggets were the best we have ever had, no exaggeration! We opted for basic bar food which was fish and chips and chicken tenders and fries. Although they were basic options, they were very well made and the tartar sauce and ranch were delicious! Such a fun place to visit, we will be back for sure read more
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More info about The Commons
547 Cherry St SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Directions
(616) 458-2704
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https://www.commons-gr.online
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Ask the Community - The Commons
Is this bar available for 18+?
I mean you have to be 21 to get alcohol lol, but anyone can eat there- it's more of a restaurant than a bar
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