For my last meal during my weekend visiting my boyfriend in South Bend, we went to one of the few places open on Labor Day Monday. Tradewinds is a typical diner with typical food in a nautical setting with lots of seating (but not a lot of parking) in an old building only 4 minutes from my boyfriend's house. From their big menu, I ordered coffee (it was just fine at $2.59) and an omelet with cantaloupe and American fries ($12.48) for my two included sides. My bf got the Santa Fe skillet (10.99) with a fruit cup and then added an additional side of bacon ($3.49 extra). Their credit card system went down right after we ordered when so it turned into a cash only place. We didn't have enough so one of us had to drive to an atm to get cash. This is not good news for the Labor Day rush! The staff, especially our server Kyle, was very apologetic and I felt bad for them, especially when it came to the tips they would get since customers were scrounging their pockets for any cash they had. The food was fine and bland and basic but decently priced. The inside looks like every 90s Ruby Tuesday before their mass renovation a few years ago. Apparently, this place opened in 1997. It appeared to be well staffed with a clean, open kitchen. They had 3 TVs that I noticed, all with NFL recaps from the games last night on in the background. I think if they had accepted phone payment, checks, or venmo during their credit card issue, my 3 star rating would have been a 4 star but hopefully, they get a bit more flexible in their payment options in the future! I would come back here though and would like to try a dish they are known for, such as the panquake or one of their burgers! FYI, it is COLD in here so plan accordingly! I was freezing the entire time. My bf said this is typical for places that cater to the elderly. read more

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We were in town on business and this was the highest rated restaurant so we decided to try it. The decor is nautical - dark wood and lots of nautical themed decor on the walls. It gives a calm atmosphere among locals. The young man who seated us was very pleasant and our server was very personable. She recommended a few of the local faves. I ended up ordering the friend cheese and pickle appetizer and the chicken and waffle entree. The appetizer is a must! The pickles complement the cheese flavor and provide an interesting mouth feel between the crunchy pickle and exterior and soft cheese interior. I'm a big fan of checked and waffles. I'd recommend getting the syrup on the side though - it's super spicy and they covered the entree with too much. I still enjoyed the flavor. If you are going through town or staying for a while, give this place a go. Good food and great people! read more

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4.5 the customer service was fantastic, they were very nice and helpful. The biscuit and gravy was 4/5

Ordered the blueberry pancakes and coffee on a rainy morning. Chock full of blueberries and no skimping on the butter (soft!) and syrup. Service was upbeat, fast and pleasant. Just a little diner atmosphere with a somewhat nautical theme. Cozy and welcoming. Hubby had the biscuits and gravy, which was also delicious and generous. read more

Love the all day menu here! I got the huge stuffed pancake (delicious) and my dad got a pizza all at 10:30 am. The service was super fast and the price was great. One star was removed because the bathrooms could be a bit cleaner and updated. read more

Tradewinds Restaurant - Jumbalaya Breakfast - New American Near Me - Mishawaka, Indiana

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I regret not taking a photo. It was beautiful! I had the eggs Benedict and it was one of the best ones I have had in a long time. This is a true Hoosier restaurant! I have always remembered this restaurant being here. I have never been disappointed! Very reasonable price read more

The server was very kind attentive and helpful. My son got the Cajun Mac and cheese and it was so salty it was inedible. My pattymelt was good but the fries appeared to have been deep fried several times they were horribly fried to a crisp. I have had the fries before and they were delicious. needless to say my son went without Dinner as we were to tired to wait for something else and the quality coming out of the kitchen was subpar that night. read more

Great Smash burger!! A little pricey but worth it! Good service with large seating area and absence of kitchen smell. We'll be back.

Food was ok. The burgers were very nice. The omelette was a little odd. Just a few eggs scrambled and folded over the ingredients. Then slices of cheese on top. Service was very friendly, but very slow. Typical diner. Clean. Very nice staff. read more

I took my daughter to lunch there, and it was a dreadful experience. First all I got a server with a huge attitude a snot through entire time we was there. Breaking into A-B conversation, which wasn't appreciated. We didn't ask for anything special or make her run. But We still got attitude.. Next My daughter didn't eat what she ordered, so I gave her my soup, and she didn't eat that either. The server must've been at the end of shift even though she didn't leave after breaking in again, and with attitude says to me. I'm getting ready to leave, and you need to settle your bill. She slammed the check, and a pen down on the table, and she says I'll take that when you're done. I asked her about the senior discount, and was asked if I'm paying with cash, I said no I was using my debit card she said no you have to use cash to get discount. But.. nice try though.. her snide words not mine, it was a nice try getting a senior discount when you are a senior. I still tipped her even though every fiber of my being wanted to just walk out without doing so. I tried getting in touch of the owner, but no one was forthcoming with that information, and management is only there to listen to the complaint, and not follow through. I worked for restaurant's back in the day, owners actually cared about their business, they offered something sometimes the servers affected in some way. But I'll be surprised if anything comes from my interaction with the manager, and that's why I took to yelp, maybe the owner will read this. Business owners get pinged when a review pops up that's not a shiny review.. I'm not happy about my experience at Trade Winds, and I'm taking someone out to eat this weekend, and it Will Not be Trade Winds.. We didn't make the server run, we didn't ask for anything after regular order, or we wasn't unruly customers. I gave the server a tip for bad behavior, and food my girl wouldn't eat. read more

Never in my lifetime will I go to this place of a so-called restaurant again. We usually go after Sunday service every week. Well, this will be my last time going there. We got there and sat in our favorite server's area. We ordered our food, but this time I decided to order food to go as well. The Togo food came in a tied bag delivered by a different person besides our server. Our server was looking for our takeout food as well and someone else gave it to us. Paid for our food and drove home and put it in the fridge for later. Well later came and I open my food. That when all the dumbness happened. I ordered fried chicken (4 pieces) and sides, grilled chicken club sandwich with sided. The fried chicken was burnt beyond belief. It was too late to call the restaurant and complain, so I waited till the next day to take my uneaten food and the receipt back. I spoke with the manager and showed him the food. The chicken looked past burnt and he said it looks fine to him and asked did I cut it open and check it. Obviously if you look at it, you can tell it hasnt been touched. I said you not going to do anything about this. He said, its our policy that if something is wrong, you have to bring it back the same day. I said so you want me to drive 45 minutes each way to bring this back, plus I open the food late at night and noticed how disgusting it looked. He said there is nothing we can do. Its a shame! I brought untouched food and receipt back and he did nothing. What makes it even worse is, its just food and he could have gave me a gift card or something after all I was a frequently visiting customer. To my favorite server, Ill miss your great customer service but the restaurant can keep this loss. read more

Tradewinds Restaurant - BURNT 4 PIECE FRIED CHICKEN! - New American Near Me - Mishawaka, Indiana

They charged me for salsa!!! Salsa is a CONDIMENT! What's next? Charging for ketchup? Salsa was charged under "sauces and gravies" Since when is Salsa a sauce? I was charged $1.99. read more

Pork tenderloin sandwich was fresh and hot, topped with Mayo, pickles, tomato and lettuce. The coleslaw was very cold and tangy. Pleasant service and I was greeted immediately upon arrival. read more

The food is just ok but the service is excellent. The servers are what makes this place tick. Lots of TVs and a good place to watch some ball games. read more

Should've known better when the lights were off and no one was there, but everywhere else was packed. Food was terrible with American packaged cheese on everything, gravy was cold, options were not available, teens running the place with one's short shorts unzipped. read more

The Reuben sandwiches are the best. My husband and I both love a good Reuben sandwich and Tradewinds is our favorite. We love that they don't over grill the bread which makes it too hard and crunchy. The balance of kraut to dressing to meat is perfect. read more

Today is the last time I will eat at Tradewinds and one of the only times We have actively decided to zero tip waitstaff and management. Here is why: My boyfriend, oldest daughter and I dropped our kids off at Bethel and decided to go out to eat. My daughter (16) was not hungry, so she laid down in the booth. The waitress at one point asked her to put her foot down off the booth and she complied. Within a few minutes, what I assume is the manager, came over and Rudely asked my daughter if she was sick and rudely said "This is a restaurant, not a bus station." My boyfriend, daughter and I were Aghast and my boyfriend immediately called the manager out for her rudeness. The manager (we think) did apologize after being called out by my boyfriend, but seriously what the hell. Did we need to get approval for her to chill out? She is 16, she typically sits up at restaurants, but we feel there was no reason for such open hostility and rudeness. We were paying customers, typically tip very generously and not that it's their business but my daughter does have depression, anxiety, was operating on little sleep as we had to evacuate our home early in the morning due to a nearby building on fire & had been running around with us. This could have been handled absolutely differently without rudeness. If they would have quietly asked her to sit up explaining that there policy is that everyone remains seated, I would not be reviewing them right now. There was a child directly across from us (younger) that was laying on a booth seat with no admonishment from management. I have been in countless restaurants where my children have fallen asleep on booth seats. I would hate to have other parents have this experience here. Rudeness has no place when you provide a service. read more

Tradewinds Restaurant - New American Near Me - Mishawaka, Indiana

Their American fries are NOT sliced fried potatoes. They are cubed cut and deep fried (that's how they look and taste). Getting hashbrows next time unless they can LIGHTLY brown them. The waitress was a bit snotty also. read more

I'm giving them only three stars because the food wasn't completely horrible, it's just completely lackluster. I ordered the Santa Fe skillet, expecting spice and flavor, this was not the case. It was a completely basic skillet with a little bit of Cajun seasoning sprinkled on top. How does Cajun season make it south western Santa Fe? In addition I ordered a side of sausage gravy, which literally taste like cum. If you're into eating cum, and hate flavor and enjoy the whitest white people food in existence then I highly recommend Tradewinds Restaurant read more

Tradewinds Restaurant - a close up of a dumpling in a styrofoam container - New American Near Me - Mishawaka, Indiana

Tradewinds. I've never had a bad meal here. I can't recommend their biscuits and gravy enough. Also, their perch dinner is a cranberry, if you like fish. The staff is very friendly and accommodating. It is good meeting place for friends and family. Their pizza is pretty tasty too. You can't go wrong here. read more

I do food delivery, this place usually has the food delivery ready to go, people are very nice . They seem to be happy with the delivery process, helps them make money, in the 50% seating thing going on, We go into to eat sometimes, and food is very good. Have no problems with this place, except the restroom ( guys ) need to do something in there, clean it, exhaust fan , air freshener maybe read more

Amazing fried green tomatoes, friendly service and nice environment. Will be back definitely.

The place was really nice and clean! The service was impeccable, the food that we had was really decent. The selection of beer was really great as well! read more

A couple years ago when a woman ran this restaurant the food was good. The last few time we ate here I noticed a difference. I always have gotten the same thing; the Cod. The last couple times the fish was horrible, so I paid closer attention to the menu, battered fish was offered, and breaded (the Cod). My plate came. The smooth battered fish was still very wet from the deep fryer that the oil was still heavy on it. I waited about 3-minutes for the waitress to come and ask how our food was . . . nope. The man was close enough I waved him over, told me I had ordered the breaded Cod. He tried to tell me that was the Cod, when I said this fish is battered, it is not breaded. He refused to admit the obvious thinking he was talking to a person who has never stepped out of Indiana. I spent 30-years in Seattle. I also buy Cod to make at home. Cod is not 1/4-inch thick fish. Cod cuts are hefty. This man is serving a lie, and rude on top of it, in a restaurant that is obviously losing customers. Gee, I wonder why? I will never step foot in Tradewinds, again. The next time I eat out after a tiring day of errands, price checking, or what-have-you I will go elsewhere. read more

New to Mishawaka so trying to find a good restaurant close by that serves a GREAT breakfast when family & friends come to visit. This will definitely NOT be our first choice. Had to take our car in for service @ Gates Chevy across the street so came here while waiting. Things started out well by a friendly wait staff. She told me they had been around for 30 years & had been a restaurant for many years before that. Ordered their special advertised on their sign outside, the "PANQUAKE", good coffee & water but the server didn't seem to notice when they were both empty. Decided to use the restroom while waiting and almost wanted to cancel my order. It smells like it hasn't been cleaned in 30 years too. After gagging numerous times I went back to my booth. The meal came, looked good, smelled good but the taste was average & the pancakes were big enough & thick enough to be used as baby moon hubcaps on my OLD 57 chevy! Will I be back, probably not. Severely dated restaurant with what appeared to be a home town regular for the elderly based on conversations I heard between the wait staff & the patrons. For the money invested I have found several other restaurants in Mishawaka & South Bend I would take family & friends to instead of this restaurant. read more

Food was good . After we was done we noticed the restaurant manager noticed him licking his fingers and grabbing silverware and napkins and rolling them up together. read more

Stayed in Elkhart and was looking for a breakfast place other than the chains (Perkins is nearby). Tradewinds is part of a dual restaurant (The Galley) and is the only one of the two open for breakfast. The staff was great...very friendly and attentive. The food was pretty good...very generous portions. The restaurant itself is a bit dated....a cement floor and fairly plain. Still, a good option if you are looking for something unique off Exit 92 on the tollway. read more

The decor is old and outdated. The lighting is morbidly dim. The place looks like it's in desperate need of a deep cleaning. The theme is as if you walked into a hoarder's home. The food was lackluster at best. We had the spicy queso and the chips were stale and moist for some odd reason. My wife ordered a bowl of fruit and it came out of the kitchen discolored we refused to eat it. The food was digestible at best. If your expectations for food is very low then it's not a bad choice. I will not be returning needless to say my suggestion is to spend your money wisely and go elsewhere. This place does not care about the quality of the food or the quality of your dining experience they just want you to shovel bad food that they scraped off the side of the road into your mouth and get paid for it. read more

Best gravy around! You don't know gravy until you try this place. Also the fries and bacon are on point. Thank you tradewinds!

My husband and I stopped in for a quick breakfast and Tradewinds offers your standard breakfast fare. My husband started with a Bloody Mary (I was impressed they served cocktails), but it was not very exciting - just tomato juice and vodka (which was fine with him). I ordered a skillet with potatoes, scrambled eggs and a slice of melted cheese which was ok. I honestly don't even remember what my husband ordered, which is unusual for us. We'll stick with our other favorite breakfast joints! read more

Great food and great service highly recommended if your looking for a diner experience

I really enjoy there food and dining experience....and then the VALUE yes super reasonable. Great job Tradewinds Elkhart is going to love it when you finally open a 2nd location!!! Good Luck read more

Food was good but the waitress was super slow then rude when one in our party complained. We never got the second order of all you can eat pancakes even though we asked for them when the first ones came (20 minutes later she admitted she hadn't been back to the kitchen to see if they were ready). I personally never got any refills on my water. Waitress slammed the bill down on the table and ignored us the rest of the time after the one complained. read more

If you're after a greasy spoon experience, this is your place. Who knows when the flat top grill was cleaned last? You can even taste the grit in the poorly washed skins on the home fried potatoes. It hasn't improved any since the last time I was there four years ago. read more

Friendly staff, good simple food also great for ordering carry-out. Prices are reasonable for the quantity and quality you get. Nothing negative to report. Enjoy, fill up and say thank you. read more

Tradewinds is my favorite breakfast restraunt! They have good portions for decent prices and their food is always extremely delicious!! My personal favorite is the sausage, egg and cheese croissant sandwich read more

Good food. I have tried a lot of their food and most of it was nice. Have only gotten delivery so I can't speak for the dine in experience, but we are mostly happy with what we got. I can say the steak and eggs with hashbrowns are always great. read more

I can't find the words to describe the worst quiche I have ever had in my life. Very large and covered in cheese, soggy crust, no taste. Absolutely awful. My friend had their vegetable soup and she said it was the worst vegetable soup she had ever tasted. Won't ever go back. read more

If you want to pig out and eat a ton of sub-mediocre fattening food, this is the place for you. If you want to eat something healthy at a decent price go somewhere else. I got an egg beater omelet with onions, green peppers, and broccoli. There was barely a trace of any of the vegetables, and it cost $8. I had to pay $1.25 extra for the broccoli, even though I didn't get any of their mandatory sides with the meal. I once got the prime rib at dinner. It was a bloody piece of disgusting meat. I thought it was undercooked, quickly found out no, that's just what they have. I have tried this place several times and I am done. This isn't even a diner, as diners have personality. read more

Nasty. Ordered Chopped Steak w/ Hollandaise. Swimming in grease. The side, Ham w/ bean soup, arrived w/ the meal, rather than prior. Watery and the beans were undercooked. read more