First, server was exceptional; very friendly. Ordered the 1/2 chicken; skin was amazing, meat moist. Sides; sauerkraut was unique, but delicious. Cole slaw, pickles, potatoes gratin very yummy. Only issue and minimal were the collard greens; been to South Carolina multiple times and these were lacking flavor. Great location and atmosphere. Oh, Hotty Toddy exceptional. read more

Highly recommend the family style dinner here! Attended this place with 7 adults and 3 kids. No reservations so we went for a nice walk around the town while we waited for our turn to be seated. Loved the eclectic ambiance inside and view of the water. Pretty cramped and loud in the room we were seated in. Not just the fact that we had a large party and young children with us. A very echo-y room and we were back to back to other patrons and practically blocking access to where servers were grabbing extra plates and silverware. We ordered the large "Nana's Table" family style dinner which comes with fried chicken, catfish, 4 sides, and biscuits. All of it was phenomenal! Glad that we went with this option for our party versus individual orders. Plenty of food for everyone and the variety of sides made it so that everyone was able to have something that they liked. Highly recommend for the food and service! A little cramped for someone like me who prefers more personal space. read more

The Southerner in Saugatuck, MI is a taste of the South in the Midwest! We got in line just before they opened and were seated right away. It's an unassuming building from the outside with a cozy vibe inside and a beautiful waterfront view. The chicken biscuit sandwich is comfort food perfection - tender, flavorful, buttermilk-brined chicken on a biscuit that is out of this world. It was so simple, and so, so good! The fam also tried the ham, egg, and cheese biscuit, mac and cheese, and a few great sides. Beans, greens, and grits were all great. Highly recommend checking out The Southerner! read more

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Can't wait to go back! This throw back roadside cafe was awesome, with views of the marina in a homey/casual setting. The food was authentic southern cuisine offering mouth watering dishes such as fried catfish, chicken, shrimp and grits, greens, homemade biscuits, juicy burgers and breakfast sandwiches. We spotted homemade pecan pie on the way out and will definitely make sure to eat here next time we're passing through Saugatuck! read more

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Nice little restaurant by Kalamazoo river. There indoor and outdoor seating. We order homemade pepper jelly and cracker, grits and greens , custom order of chicken tenders with Nashville hot sauce and chicken biscuit sandwich .Everything was good. Grits was like comfort food after drunken night. Last but not the least service was friendly read more

Best meal to date in Saugatuck. Our server really made the night. She was so professional and on too of it, but also fun and playful. Wish every restaurant could clone her. Great service is such a difference-maker. Food was fresh and tasty. I had a shrimp cocktail with 6 gorgeous shrimp, a biscuit and greens. My husband had a chicken sandwich on a biscuit. The outdoor seating was lovely. The vibe was fun without being rowdy. Just a really nice experience overall. read more

Started up good originally, definitely has gone downhill over the years. Begged for local people to support them during Covid, then turned on everybody local and became just focused on the money from the tourists. If you wanna play politics with your food, this is the place to do it. read more

We ate there twice because it was so amazing and why wouldn't we ? It is an unassuming building with harbor views from the patio . We didn't take any dinner pics because we were hungry goddam it and please don't judge ! The service was friendly and efficient . The star of the show is clearly the Nashville fried chicken . They don't mess around with the spice and it was crispy and spicy and just lovely . They have 3 levels of spice fyi . We also tried the macaroni and cheese, beans , corn salad and coleslaw. My husband ordered the salad with hush puppies, Everything was great . Also please don't be boring and order fries .Try something else . We tried the old fashioned and old death. They are good cocktails . If I'm ever back in the area I'll be back home eat the chicken and try the fried catfish . read more

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We waited 2 hours to be seated, were at 0 on the wait-list (we waited on the deck for an additional 45 minutes) when suddenly we were no longer on the wait-list, and were told it would be another 20-30 min. When we said that was not acceptable and asked how they would make it right, an employee came out and accused my sister in law of yelling (she did not) and said she would not seat us (and swore at us) A restaurant in a tourist town that has only 2 tables for a larger party that can't handle a busy Saturday evening! read more

Best. Fried. Chicken. Ever! marinated 24 hrs in buttermilk and pickle juice! Its perfect. Juicy, seasoned, worth waiting for. Dont be in a hurry if its a busy weekend. Enjoy some of the best crafted cocktails in town with those blue crab fritters while you wait patiently. Be happy that you ordered the crystal butter, greens and side of catfish. Its a casual chicken joint done right. read more

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It is. Good thing I do not live closer to The Southerner. I would eat here every day. I am addicted to their Nashville Hot Chicken tenders. And I get a biscuit as a side. The staff is great and the food is amazing. It is set right on the river. With a deck to sit on. Or windows down the whole river side of the restaurant. Casual, laid back atmosphere. read more

The Southerner - Nice view. - Southern Near Me - Saugatuck, Michigan

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Pretty disappointing after all the good reviews. Bought the Family Chicken dinner with slaw and french fries for sides. Though we ordered regular chicken it came pretty hot and spicey. Which for several of us meant we had to peal off the coating to eat it. But even for those who like hot and spicey they found it only so so compared to other chicken they've had. The "family side of slaw" was barely enough for two or three people. The one shinning light was the biscuits and their special butter which was very good. Frankly, other than the biscuits, I've had KFC that was better. And chicken from many restaurants, including the Beechwood Inn in Holland that was much, much better. read more

Heard such great things but was disappointed. Food took forever to come. The Cole slaw was disgusting, tasted like a bowl of vinegar. Chick was ok but nothing to write home about. And the pricing was ridiculous. $40 for a fried chicken dinner??? Not again read more

I will make sure to come back here whenever I am in Saugatuck! The food is so great! Must get the biscuits and Mac n cheese. So damn good. Also best Bloody Mary in town! The restaurant has a cozy vibe with a great staff read more

The Southerner - Southern Near Me - Saugatuck, Michigan

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Had the catfish Robert and a fancy gin and tonic on the back deck. Waitress recommended the catfish and we were glad-very well fried.

Are you missing down home? Missing the sites and smells of being down south? It's time for you to come check out the southerner. From walking in the wallpaper will transport you back to walking through your grandma's house to the back kitchen. The lights on the ceiling will remind you of sitting at the kitchen table, snapping beans and swapping stories. When you're done reminiscing, and finally decide to look at the menu, get ready to be transported again into a world of flavor. There's no salt and pepper on the tables, quite frankly because you don't need any, your food is seasoned thoughtfully and creatively. A round of applause for the southerner! read more

The Southerner - Southern Near Me - Saugatuck, Michigan

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Stopped in for lunch with a friend, and the patio! Absolute Michigan perfection. I could have sat there all afternoon watching the boats and people! We were greeted warmly at the door and the excellent service continued throughout our meal. I was pleasantly surprised by the robust drink menu - my Paloma was the perfect compliment to a steamy afternoon! The dill pickle dip was a surprise hit. Even my pickle averse friend enjoyed it! I opted for the deviled crab and shrimp po boy. It was very good - but we warned the heat builds! We'll definitely be back next time we're in Saugatuck. Must try the fried chicken next read more

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The food is great! Not many options for a vegetarian. The prices are high. It should be rated "$$$" The service is subpar. There was an issue with one of the fryers when we went so their trademark plates were unavailable. It also caused an extreme waiting time (they didn't tell us that would be the case). We didn't even get our appetizer for an hour! The ambiance is pretty gross. There were flies everywhere and there are about a dozen 20-somethings "hosting"- mostly standing around. I'd recommend ordering to-go! read more

I stumbled upon The Southerner while driving through Saugatuck and this is a MUST HIT. Known for Appalachian and Southern fare in Michigan, it sits on the Kalamazoo River and has the best marina view I love. Not to mention, the chicken biscuit, with a homemade biscuit that's to die for and so many layers, I could go on and on. If yo find yourself traveling the Lake Michigan coast, The Southerner is a must! read more

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Finally found a restaurant that nails everything! Service: Welcoming & attentive Food: The hot chicken was perfectly cooked and flavourfull. The potato gratin was the best ever Ambiance: Friendly vibe Drinks : Perfectly made Sazerac (they have an amazing whiskey list) A true hidden gem!! read more

They try. They really do. But the food is mediocre at best. The view is good and service is usually fine, though the kitchen can be slow during dinner, but that's to be expected. read more

Who goes to Michigan to eat southern food? We do! So happy we did too. The wait to sit outside was a little long but you're in the tiny quaint town of Saugatuck you just sit back and wait. We opted for outdoor dining so we could have a view of the water. We started out with some refreshing and tasty Margaritas and some homemade Pepper Jelly. For those familiar you know that southern snack that's made with cream cheese and pepper jelly served with Ritz crackers. Yum!!! I want more! Every traditional dish was on the menu: fried chicken which is their specialty and yes it was delicious, Mac and cheese, biscuits, catfish, shrimp, grits, Po Boy sandwich which my son devoured, greens, and Chilaquiles?? That's what I said. And did I order this? Of course I did! And did I love it? I sure did!! Everything was super delicious! Service was super friendly. Go now if you're in the mood for some tasty comfort Southern grub. read more

What do you think of when you think "Southern cuisine"? I'm guessing fried chicken is in the top 3 thoughts that spring to mind. That's what I was thinking and I had a hankering for some. It's not officially on the menu but there is a 1/4 chicken option. It's a thigh and leg. I was traveling alone, so I went for that. Got it Nashville hot with a side of baked beans. The chicken itself automatically comes with a biscuit on the side. The Nashville hot has some get up. No fooling around here. Crispy skin that kept all the juices trapped in. It was delish. Beans were ok and maybe a little soupy for my taste. Biscuit comes with honey butter so make sure you spread some on. That was a tasty biscuit. Also, I sat at the bar. Great service and a VERY impressive selection of bourbon if you dig the brown spirits, which I do. A little pricy for a small town but a great selection non the less. Get you some! read more

The Southerner - Bourbon menu - Southern Near Me - Saugatuck, Michigan

We had a great experience at The Southerner with canal side seating. The two hour wait didn't feel too long because we were able to amble into the town and explore before making our way back. I relaxed on the patio with the old fashioned cocktail, delicious but not cheap at $15. When we were seated we had a friendly waitress give some helpful tips for ordering. Ultimately we decided on 1/2 chicken with biscuit, fries and baked beans and the Mac n' cheese with an addition of fried chicken tenders, coleslaw and corn salad. The chicken had a light crisp batter and was not spicy. You can add Nashville hot for an extra 1-2 dollars. The baked beans had a nice flavor with a Smokey bbq hint. The corn salad had a nice balance of flavors, and the biscuit was sublime. Flakey and delicious with honey butter and without that annoying bicarbonate of soda flavor. The Mac n' cheese was baked and had an adult taste with several sharp cheddars blended in, it was good albeit rich. The fries and coleslaw were just okay. It was a lovely setting and a tasty meal, but heavy. I think my hubby and I both felt quite full and tired after the meal. We had enough for another meal from our leftovers. This is the place in Saugatuck to go if you'd like some good southern cooking, but probably not the go to for a health conscious meal. The next time we come back I would be interested in trying their catfish dish with etouffee. They also have frozen mixed drinks on a rotation which is fun. However, we need to make sure to come early next time because there is almost always a wait. Cheers to the Southerner! read more

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We've lived in Holland for a few years and unfortunately it took us a while to get to The Southerner. There isn't really anything like it to the north. It's a welcoming, homely place. I'm sure it's even more fun in the summer when they open the windows and extend their dining. Either way, this is the kind of place I miss coming to. I wasn't overwhelmed by the cocktail options, but they have a whiskey bar if that's up your alley. On some nights that is for me but maybe more so on a brisk summer evening. We started with the Blue Crab Calas, which are basically hush puppies. Really good ones. Numerous things caught my eye for entrees, but for my first Southerner experience, I had to get the Fried Chicken, which was perfectly fried and the special two piece was a perfect size. I'll definitely order a sandwich or two on a future visit, even if it's take out. Ohhhh also, the Potato Gratin is awesome. Definitely get that for a side. I think I like everything about The Southerner. The house. The location. The font on the menu. The staff. The signs in the bathroom. Oh, the food. I like this place. It makes me feel good about myself. read more

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We love the Southerner. Went the summer and again this fall. The food is awesome and drinks are really great too. Highly recommend!

I loved the food. It was a chefs kiss! We had the small family meal with chicken tenders and we didn't finish half!! We also had 6 people. 2 grandparents, 2 parents, 2 kids. We had so much fun and so satisfied!! #fingers licked stomachs approved read more

Stitch visited The Southerner in Saugatuck, Michigan and treated himself to a big Southern-style feast--yum yum yum! He tried fried chicken, mac and cheese, fries, sauerkraut, corn, pickles, and a fluffy biscuit. Everything was delicious, but the biscuit and beer-battered fries were the real standouts--crispy, golden, and full of flavor! The fried chicken had a light breading that still brought the crunch, and the sides were comforting and tasty. With cozy vibes and food that made Stitch's ears wiggle with joy, The Southerner is definitely worth a visit when you're hungry for something hearty and homemade read more

The Southerner is on of our favorite places to eat. We frequently make the (short) drive from Holland to eat at this place. The biscuits are the absolute best I've ever eaten and when you slather on the honey butter, be prepared to not care about anything else. The fried chicken is also outstanding and we order the Caesar salad just to get the hush puppy croutons. Seriously, I wish they would offer the hush puppies with honey butter as an appetizer or side. Highly recommend this place! read more

The chicken was incredible and we enjoyed the French fries. Also enjoyed the view of the marina. We will go back! read more

The Southerner - Amazing Nashville Hot chicken biscuit. - Southern Near Me - Saugatuck, Michigan

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Everything about this restaurant is fantastic. Service, food, atmosphere, all of it. Can be a bit busy at times so I would recommend giving them a call before deciding to go in. If I could copy and paste this restaurant across the street from my home, I would. read more

Best chicken I've ever had! So juicy and flavorful! The family style dinner was the perfect amount of food for our family; it had 12 pieces of chicken (you could select your flavor; original or 3 different levels of spice) 2 pieces of catfish, 6 biscuits, mac n cheese, and 2 additional sides! Our server was a little slow checking up on us but was very polite and helpful when we had an issue with hair in our food. (Which is why only 4 stars) The outside of the restaurant is a little deceiving for what to expect but don't judge a book by its cover! read more

Food was perfect. However felt like the experience was tainted with extra charges on bill. We ordered the Dinner for 4-6 at a cost of $130. Reviwed bill after and they charged $133. Also added another $2 for butter ( 6 biscuits included in dinner) and there was a credit card transaction fee. I'm not a fan of hidden fees! read more

My fiancée loves this restaurant and we end up swinging by every time we are on the west side of the state. They offer southern style dishes and sandwiches, and you will have a view of the water while you eat. I lived in Texas for awhile, and this is one of the few places around you can get a good po'boy or fried chicken the southern way. They've also got some beers available you can't usually get up this way. I really only have two complaints. If you're not there when they open, it's swamped. So it's not just us that thinks this place is pretty good! The soda comes is a can and a glass with ice, so you don't get refills like you would from a fountain. read more

The Southerner - Traditional half chicken and Flaky Biscuit - Southern Near Me - Saugatuck, Michigan

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The chicken biscuit sandwich is very good. I highly recommend it along with the pickle spritz if you like champagne. The service was very good and attentive. The ambiance felt like you were in a southern state. read more

The Southerner - The pickle spritz - Southern Near Me - Saugatuck, Michigan

If you go to one restaurant in Saugatuck, go here! The food was insanely good, the service was wonderful, and the vibes were just great overall! read more

We were in Saugatuck for the weekend and The Southerner was a must-do! Fun ambience and very nice staff. They don't take reservations, but you can have a few drinks while you wait. We had a big party, so we ended up waiting about 1.5 hours on a Saturday night. We got the large feast and had plenty of food for 8 people. You can split the chicken flavors up to 3 ways and if it's your first time, I would recommend just getting 3 different kinds for a good sampling. We got half Piedmont Dip and half Nashville hot. I was disappointed by the Piedmont. I didn't expect it to have a sweet sauce on it, almost like the sweet and sour sauce you might find at a Chinese food restaurant. The Nashville hot was a little too spicy for me, but everyone else loved it. So there didn't seem to be just a mildly spicy option because the traditional wasn't spicy. My favorite dish was the mac and cheese, by far. It was soooo good. The biscuits with honey butter were great. Would definitely recommend this as a side. The fries, slaw, and beans were good, if you like these types of sides at baseline. And I also really liked my cocktail, the Rosalita! I'm definitely looking forward to coming back. It's a fun spot with solid food. I'll prob get the mac and cheese next time! read more

The Southerner - Menu 7/2022 - Southern Near Me - Saugatuck, Michigan

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Good selection on the menu and all have been excellent. Will make The Southerner a regular stop,

Yes, we dud it again and will go here fir the best fried chicken that has attitude. Great service. Great flaky biscuits, best crab appetizer. Cole slaw is sparse but delicious. Nice river view from your table whether your on the screened in porch, on the patio or inside dining! Ample parking , read more

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I just love this place! First of all, Saugatuck is my most favorite Michigan town for many reasons. If you are a special person in my life, I will most certainly show you my favorite things and force you to enjoy them With me! Lol Why??? Because life should be lived and spent with those who bring you sunshine. This is actually my 2nd time at the Southerner. If you love fried chicken, and we most certainly do, the southerner is an essential stop on your visit. We love the pimento horseradish spread and the chicken is perfectly cooked every time! The mac'n cheese is divine and the cocktails are fantastic. I love the country decor and the staff are always smiling! It can get quite busy during the summer months, but trust me...you will be in chicken heaven! read more

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