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The Commons

4.3 (178 reviews)
Special Hours • Closed
Updated a few days ago

The Commons Photos

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THE COMMONS ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Moderate noise
Hipster
Casual
Trendy

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Recommended Reviews - The Commons

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Kayla D.

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.

Karley M.

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!

The meatball dinner.
Kurt G.

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!

Cami's Tendies
Kristyn H.

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.

Matthew H.

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.

Meatloaf dinner
Rebeca F.

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.

Twice Cooked Chicken Wings
Katy C.

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.

portobello cheesesteak
Delanie M.

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.

Alyssa V.

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.

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4 years ago

Very cool retro atmosphere. Very nice people...really great service. Go there for Happy Hour and get the mini tacos.

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7 years ago

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7 years ago

Very overpriced for what is served and noisy our waitress never checked on us after we got our food. The decor is cool.

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4 years ago

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7 years ago

Great vibes, cool TVs and couches. Very good classic burger. Nice house wines.

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7 years ago

Was disappointed this time, we had their Prime rib tator tots like time before had very little sauce and prime rib was mostly tator tots.

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7 years ago

Mediocre at best, slightly over priced. Service was great portions are huge. Shared the chicken Kiev with my wife and still had leftovers.

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7 years ago

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7 years ago

This place is great! It hits all the points - food, drinks, customer service & decor. Definitely check it out!

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7 years ago

Fun 70's style interior. The food was really good and the staff and service was top notch!

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The Commons Reviews in Other Languages

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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This place has some very unique breakfast dishes mostly waffle based. We stopped in here with a…read moresmall group and were seated promptly. Our server was prompt and we ordered a few of the crazy fun dishes. I had the Love me tender dish which was a waffle with peanut butter, caramelized banana, bacon and a maple bourbon syrup. Oh my this was good. The rest of my group had amazing dishes as well and we had a great time. When in Grand Rapids, stop in here for a fun unique breakfast.

Any time is a good time for waffles. They're a vehicle for so many sweet and savory ingredients, in…read moremy opinion. So when my family and I were walking around downtown Grand Rapids and needed a place to eat breakfast, we popped into Social Misfits because their menu is basically 90% waffles. My kids love waffles. Every kid loves waffles. Waffles it is! This is a great restaurant for families (because ... waffles), but also a great restaurant for adults because they have a nice selection of creative cocktails in the evening, and coffee in the morning. Social Misfits is basically waffles, alcohol and caffeine, in that order. When we visited in the morning, the adults opted for coffee (really great black coffee!) and the kids both opted for the Little Lad, a waffle topped with strawberries, blueberries and chantilly cream (basically whipped cream, but a little sweeter and whipped a little longer). Both of my children ate most of their waffle, which is a big thing, considering they usually eat like birds. We also got the Son of a Biscuit, which was a garlic parmesan waffle topped with chicken sausage gravy and a fried egg. You could add fried chicken to the mix for an extra $6 (we did not). This one was fine, but the egg was way overcooked! Oh well. Lastly: We got the Ol' Blue Eyes, a waffle topped with blueberry compote, lemon curd, whipped ricotta and graham cracker crumbs. This one tasted amazing, but there was so much blueberry compote and lemon curd that it made the waffle a bit soggy. I think the chef was feeling generous with the toppings, but homie needed to hold back a tad. Sometimes, a little bit goes a long way! Fifty percent less gloppy stuff would have made this waffle dish 100% better. If you ain't really about that waffle life, then not to worry. Social Misfits also has a few "not waffles" items on the menu, like salads, sandwiches and a couple of bar snacks. But I think if you visit this restaurant, you need to just embrace waffles. There are more than a dozen different waffles on the menu. They're all fun and well-thought-out. Pick one and eat waffles for breakfast, lunch or dinner.

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It's a solid spot to meet up before/after a show or if you're otherwise hanging at the Amway. I've…read morebeen here at least a dozen times. Servers and bartenders have always been friendly--and fast. They know their cocktails and they're remarkably consistent with the mixes. My old fashioneds tasted the same every time I've gone. Very limited menu, but it'll do the trick when you're in a rush (or if the Lumberbaron Bar has already closed its kitchen). I like the pizzas, especially the mushroom. Don't let the name fool you. It also comes covered with savory cubes of bacon and fresh greens. It's good! I also like the wide open layout. You never feel crowded. Great place to spread out for a cocktail and light bite.

What an amazing experience!!! We came here for one of their monthly events. We found out about it…read morethat day and the tickets were no longer available. But we took our chances and the manager was able to get us in! So glad he did. They have these types of tastings every month. December will be a champagne pairing. I definitely plan to come back for that! They did a beautiful presentation. We got to try three different scotches which were paired with delicious small plates of food. Afterwards, we went to the bar area and had a drink. The service here was impeccable. The food was delicious and the signature cocktails were delightful! The hotel itself is gorgeous and I was happy we got to experience it all decked out for Christmas!

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The Commons - lounges - Updated May 2026

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