Tinker's Junction has a striking Wall of Honor dedicated to the U.S. Armed Forces, which is truly impressive and worth a glance when you walk in. The atmosphere is lively--maybe a little too lively, with music blasting so loud it's hard to carry on a conversation. The salad bar was decent, and our waitress was friendly but clearly overwhelmed. We ordered an Italian grinder and a chicken-fried steak with the salad bar, but a few minutes later she returned to let us know they were out of steak. Another ten minutes passed before she came back to take a replacement order. Unfortunately, our meals weren't entered together. About 35 minutes into our visit, drinks finally arrived. Ten minutes after that, my dinner showed up... but the other entrée didn't make it to the table for another 20-25 minutes. By that point, we'd already shared mine and asked for the second meal to be boxed up. Between the long waits, the out-of-stock entrée, and the overly loud music, this just wasn't the relaxing dinner we'd hoped for. While the Wall of Honor is a nice touch, I wouldn't save this spot in my GPS for a return trip. read more

I was gratified to find fried chicken on the menu. As a recent resident of St. Louis, I had developed a taste for that item and was disappointed to find it missing in northern MI . Tinkers did an admirable job , presenting a large portion (4 pieces) of chicken, along with a soup/salad bar option and potato of choice with the entree. It was golden brown, crispy and perfectly moist. Would consider it a worthy competitor to any I have had before. Our waitperson was friendly and just attentive enough. Tinkers will certainly become a regular place for me. read more

Great good evening back when it was the Red barn. Service could always use improvement but not terrible. The ambiance is a bar inside a barn type of building. Outside seating and I think they still have a volleyball sand like pit and some other sports type things there. Get there early otherwise the parking lot fills up quickly. read more

Went to hear a band last Friday night. Started the evening with dinner. My friend and I shared a Blackened Walleye dinner with mashed potatoes, coleslaw and salad bar. Wow! The fish was prepared perfectly- nice crust on the outside and juicy inside. Fantastic dinner. The band was pretty good too. Shout out to the kitchen and wait staff. Ya'll rock! read more

The food is always hot and filling. They have average menu for American food. I've been there many times and have tried several things on the menu. The wait staff is very good, read more

Our first time in Called twice got disconnected Tried to make it sound like no space to eat because of cornhole night Went on Wednesday for special Nothing to rave about Didn't have taste needed seasoning Cheese sticks fine Waited on people that came in after us first Night of corn hole which wasn't a problem for us read more

By far the slowest restaurant I've ever been to. Tinkers wast crowed and was following social distancing yet it took over an hour our food to come. It took approximately 90 minutes for our order. We also ordered appetizers including a salad, soup, and fried pickles which didn't come until after the entree was present. You would think everything would be super hot with the length of time it took to arrive but sadly it did not. The food was simply warm. I won't be back. read more

It's up for sale and please sell it quick. Food was sub par, service was worse. Bartender was soooo slow. Another Sysco/GFS throw it in the fryer, up north bar. Spare yourself the heart attack and keep driving. read more

Covid safety appears to be enforced. Typical bar food plus pizza. Food was good. Staff were friendly

Only come with time on your hands! The food here is always good, a bit pricey but good. Everytime we come up to grayling we stop in, the service is slow moving most times we are in and that was the same speed at last night's dine In. it did take 13 minutes for the waitress to even come to our table to get our drink order or say hello. and at the end of the meal another 15 to get the check. however the most disturbing part of this dinning adventure was only 1 staff member had a state mandatory mask on. not the bar tender, not anyone in the kitchen that I could see and not our waitress. However there was 1 lone ranger following the rules of the land and when I asked if she could wait on us I got hold on at which we did for another 10 minutes before the same waitress came back to say she's busy. she then Haphazardly covered her chin and lips and took are order. We never got our appetizers and by the time the waitress came back around I just wanted our check and a refill to go as we waited so long with empty pops. I have never had a great waitress experience here. But since my sister lives up here and the dinning establishments are slim pickings we end up here. And because I think the food is good I guess over time I forget that the staff is not. Hopeful one day we get in and experience what I would hope the owners would want us too. read more

Apparently they didn't close at all during cOvid which makes me wonder how we could have had such a horrible experience. Keeping in mind the service has never been great but tonight was a disaster. My husband and I sat for fifteen minutes without being greeted. There was a fifteen top whose food was coming out of the kitchen and a bunch of dirty tables. The waitress chose to bus dirty tables instead of greet us. My husband finally went up to the bar and asked for service. The waitress who came to the table was entirely put out by us. We asked for the fastest appetizer and she said they were all 3-4 minute so we ordered the boneless wings with ranch and blue cheese. 15 minutes later my mother and daughter arrived and the appetizer still wasn't there and we couldn't get the waitress to come and get a drink order so we had to get up and ask her. "In a minute!" She said. Then the table next to us sat and two of the four guests showed up. They ordered drinks and my mother and daughter arrived and we again had to fetch the waitress to take their order. In that time the appetizer And our burger arrived. No blue cheese and no ranch, silverware or plates. We had to get up and ask someone for our sauce for the wings and plates and silverware. By the time we got our sauce, the wings were gone. The table next to us ordered one minute after my mom and daughter and they were told the kitchen was closed. The restaurant was full. We offered them some of our appetizers which jr hey declined. We complained and were told there was nothing f they could do. In the end after charging us for two of the same burger and fries we didn't get, they discounted the final bill 25% but that won't ever get us to return. read more

Went for breakfast buffet. Food wasn't horrible, but wasn't great. Staff made some off-handed comments that annoyed me. They tried charging me for a 6-year-old plate for my 4-year-old daughter - never asked me her age. And, I found a hair in my food. Won't be back for breakfast. As a bar, it's good. read more

Best service that accommodates anyone! Great food - from wings and pizza to burritos and fish fry. Definitely recommend as a stop for anybody looking for a welcoming bite. read more

Tinker's Junction - two boys sitting at a table with food - American Near Me - Grayling, Michigan

Delicious pizza! To be honest, I didn't know what to expect because it seems like some of the reviews people just wanted to complain or maybe them cane in on off hours where the restaurant was understaffed. I am glad we stopped in and had pizza, because we would have missed out on this gem! read more

This is probably one of the best bars I've been too up north in a lot of ways. It's very spacious inside. The menu is huge. They have a soup and salad bar. Clean bathrooms. Staff is hit or miss (based on two visits) nothing terrible in regards to service but this last visit the waitress was very awkward and forgetful. First visit was with my mom, we got lunch and she was VERY impressed with her wet burrito... my mom is picky and judge mental with Mexican lol so that's a big deal. I got a club with fries. The fries were seasoned and super crispy which I appreciate. Great ranch. They have weekly specials that aren't on the menu so it's not just deals it's new menu items. This second time was with my husband and son. They loved their food! Good beer selection and full bar. Everything was well priced, served hot and generous portions. I haven't visited during peak hours or while the large stage was in use... so stay tuned. I highly recommend and will return read more

See all

Went to try their fish fry and was extremely pleased. The beer batter cod was amazing not like some places that give you beer batter and as soon as you put a knife or fork in it a bunch of oil fills your plate. Planning on returning to try other things on the menu. Wait staff was super friendly and dinner was served quickly. Can't beat a three piece cod, choice of potato and soup and salad bar for $10. Thumbs up! read more

Awesome place to enjoy friends and have beers. Friday night fish is awesome. My wife and I had it two Friday's in a row. Service is friendly and efficient. 11 beers on tap all the time. Remodeling some of the inside decor and it looks awesome. Definitely be back for more. Pizza is awesome as well. read more

Tinker's Junction - the front of tinker's junction - American Near Me - Grayling, Michigan

One of the worst meals I've had in my life. We had a to go order. Ordered a Philly steak and the fried cod. The cod was swimming in grease and in addition to being burnt the Philly was an actual hamburger patty chopped in 3 and put on a stale bun. I'm not overly picky, but this was disgusting. Do NOT waste your money at a place that has this little regard for their customers. If the restaurant reads this, here's a couple hints: 1. make sure the oil in your fryer is clean and hot enough and don't put too much food in it at once - there is no excuse for this much grease. 2. If you don't actually have shaved steak to make a cheesesteak tell the customer so they can order something else. Did you think we wouldn't notice? 3. Don't give anything stale to customers. 4. If you can't do better than this, hire someone to help you or close down. read more

The last time my boyfriend and I dined here was before Covid I believe with a few friends and were received okay service, but recently we dined in (just us 2) and had terrible service. We were sat a few minutes before a couple next to us and ordered 2 appetizers, as did they.. ours came out and she dropped them off and ran (didn't ask if we needed anything, she gave us ranch but not marinara sauce). She eventually brought the couple next to us their appetizer (but the 2nd one she rang in wrong and they got cheese bread instead of mozzarella sticks) and again dropped the items off and ran. -- The reason for this behavior I believe is due to a group of people arriving after us she seemed to know and gave ALL her attention too, she actually brought out half their food before the couple next to us got their appetizers, served them shots at the bar, went over to the pool table/arcade area with them multiple times. When she brought our pizza out she dropped it off at the same time as the other couples cheese bread and dashed. I had to flag her down when she was trying to chat to someone in that group (seated behind us) of her friends (I'm assuming) to finally ask for my marinara sauce (at this point my appetizers cold) and after she brings it out the couple next to us have to flag her for ranch (she never asked if we needed anything when she came to the tables and only came to drop off our food items). As we waited for our bill with our empty water cups (that didn't get filled until the bill was brought to us) she served her friend group shots and took one with them (not sure if she took shots with them the first time, but shots on the clock?).. the bartender was over there too (by the pool table) and may of taken a shot as well (but I 100% saw our waitress take one). When she came with the bill I didn't even let her put the receipt down, I handed her the card or else we may of been sitting there much longer than needed. Very unprofessional and poor service read more

Not impressed at all. Maybe they are feeling the effects of a long holiday week (giving the benefit of the doubt) but slow service, not with a smile, didn't come back to check on us, food so-so. What ever happened to good customer service?? read more

The food hreat and staff was always helping and making sure you are well taken care of. They have horse shoes, cornhole and volleyball to do there just a all around fun time. read more

Drove 45 minutes for fish fry and they ran out of cod. Waited 30 minutes for drink refills and waitress brought wrongly prepared food. Terrible service and waitress with a nasty attitude. read more

This was a hidden gem to eat at and would go again another time. Good food and good service although old inside.

Worst service ever. The kind where it's busy, no doubt, but the waitress just completely ignores you as she walks past you 25 times. Like if she doesn't make eye contact we'll disappear. But she finally shows up then treats you like you're an interruption from her work instead of the reason for it. read more

Had the chop steak, and even though it was cooked perfectly the steak was bland/tasteless. No seasoning and the only flavor I got was from the char marks on the steak. Very disappointed! However, the beer prices are good. read more

Great location..has been a staple of Grayling for many years...although it has passed from owner to owner with no real legacy...The new owners promise to make this a place to be..food is okay...Pizza is great but pricey..karaoke on Thursday..DJ on Friday and live bands on Saturdays...two pool tables lots of space to eat and get down...it's a great spot to let your hair down and kick up some dust...but until they address the food...eat before you get here... read more

The kitchen is visible from the dining room floor. Because of that my party and I had the pleasure of watching the cook pick up raw steaks with his bare hands numerous times and afterward wiping his contaminated hands on his already dirty apron. Then he would handle cooked food with his hands. It doesn't matter which owner has this place. It's only good for beer. read more

Great fish on Fridays. Live entertainment with no cover charge.

New owners, same below average food. We started with mozzarella sticks and deep fried mushrooms. Both were over cooked and clearly cooked in old oil.. They were so dark brown they were hardly recognizable. The "hamburger soup" was disgusting and the salad bar was pretty sad. My wife had the smothered chicken the chicken was charred so bad on one side she could hardly eat it by the time she trimmed off all the charred parts there was barely any chicken left. I had a beef wet burrito. It should have been called a bean burrito because the meat and cheese were non-existent. I barely ate half of it. We had heard good things about both the pizza and the Friday fish fry from Friends, but our experience with the other menu items was not so good. We spent over $60 for 2 adults and 2 kids I expected better.. the only bright note to our dinner was the service, our waitress was very attentive. If you're looking for a beer and a burger this might be the place for you, but if you're looking for a little bit more you might want to keep looking. read more

We have been regular customers at Tinker's Junction in Grayling, MI for a number of years, however after the way we were treated last night we will not be going back again. We arrived around 6pm, and ordered by 6:30. Over an hour later, and after seeing many other tables come in, eat, and leave, we asked the waitress when we could expect our food to be served. By this time we had finished our drinks, and we were told it would be another 50 minutes before our food would be ready! I spoke with the owner, who told me they were doing the best they can, but with only one fryer they were having trouble getting the fish orders out (Friday is fish fry night), and that our order would be out as soon as possible. If you offer a fish fry in Northern MI, you need to be able to deliver, and one fryer doesn't really cut it, besides there were 6 in our party, and only two ordered fish; 4 pieces of Cod total; the rest of our orders were from the grill. Our original waitress never returned to our table; instead another waitress (tall, thin woman who appears to be of Asian heritage, and who is a long time employee), came over to tell us she could cancel our order if we wanted, however we had well over an hour invested at this point, and it was going on 8pm, so we waited. When the food did come, my wife's food (beef fajitas) was totally unacceptable, over cooked, cold, and did not have any of the toppings she ordered. The owner, (Katie I believe is her name), was apologetic, but offered nothing but the apologies to make it right. I have worked in food service before, and I know stuff happens, and when it does the right thing to do is to fess up, apologize to the customers, and offer them something; a discount, free meal, free drink, something, but we were offered nothing but a hard time from the very RUDE waitress, who told us WE are mean. I told the owner, we have choices; Ray's, Spike's, Grey Rock, Margarita Bar & Grill, Paddle Hard, and a couple of other places in town. We will not be back to Tinker's again. read more

Tinkers Junction provides a pleasant environment with friendly efficient staff. Heather made sure our dining experience was positive. Our food choices of wings, hamburgs & Reuben's were very good. The establishment will celebrate its first anniversary April 1. read more

Love Club TJ's. Right down the road from my house and I always find myself staying here till the lights turn on at night!! LOL great food and great staff. Sometimes service is a little flakey but only when the place is packed busy. Would recommend their pizza! read more

While snowmobiling we've stopped here a couple times. Good food and atmosphere. The last time I needed help with my snowmobile trailer. The owner (s) drove home and got the tool I needed. The hospitality and friendliness alone is worth stopping here. read more