PLEASE READ !!! Ok so this doesn’t happen often , if ever … but this place gets an extremely poor review :( My son has told me he’s tried to go in for a burger several times over 2 yrs ( yes 2 YEARS ) and has been treated badly by workers and never got a chance to try their food ~ once he sat at a table for 20-30 min before asking for service just to find the kitchen was CLOSED ! So the other day , I tell my son that we wanted to go there and sit outside and asked him to meet us there ~ he was refusing to come along and I assured him that me and his dad wouldn’t possibly get bad service because we NEVER DO ! He reluctantly met us there . UGH… I was WRONG …. First time for everything ! We go in ( party of 4 adults , 1 child ) and I ask to wait for a table on back patio ~ the girls looked at me like she’d never been asked that ~ so … who I can only assume was the manager was called over ( for a table request) and again looked as though I asked for him first born child or something:/ he proceeded to say … we will have to wait & I graciously said ‘ yes absolutely we expected that & we’ll sit at the bar for a drink while waiting’ ~ then it gets REALLY STRANGE… the manager looks at the bar and says to me that there’s not enough chairs for us to sit together & I again replied ..’ that’s fine , it will be fine , we can see that ~ or we can even sit outside in the front & wait with our drink if you’ll let us know when a table opens ‘? While out there I believe it was the owner came out & checked on us & acted weird as well , didn’t say anything to us about a table soon opening or ask if we needed anything after 45 min or so . So why come out at all (?) After that my son looks at me and says ‘ I TOLD YOU THIS PLACE IS JUST OFF !’ .My husband assumed that the first girl and the owner possibly didn’t speak English well (?) I honestly have no … idea …. Needless to say to say we left and went to one of our faves ( LSP ) and as always great food as well as service:) We just wanted to try the food at BRI because they have good reviews . We now don’t honestly believe they can be real reviews from what we witnessed . We’re not visiting the area ~ we built a second home there 4 yrs ago & are in the area all of the time ~ I can see them feeling like we didn't belong in this type of place & I definitely won’t make this mistake again , and that’s just sad because we’re not ‘ THOSE ‘ kind of people ~ but we do have standards . I feel obligated to warn others by writing this review to let people know how horrible this place is to people the same as we write great reviews for all other places . I gave it 2 * because my cocktail was good :/ PLEASE DO NOT GO IN THIS PLACE IF YOU'RE TRAVELING!!! So many other great restaurants throughout charlevoix county to spend money at .
Lou Manev
I came in for the patio view of the river. Came away very impressed with Food and staff. This is holiday season so place was swamped but they had tons of staff. The food goes above and beyond standard fare. Best pizza in town. Good dough perfectly cooked. Burgers were fresh. Where can you get a nice 1/2 pound fresh hamburger? Nowhere. This is hands down the best restaurant in Boyne. If ur in town long enough chances are you will dine at all of them. Do yourself a favor and start here.
Daniel Dorr
I ordered pizza and breadsticks for take out for my family from the Boyne River Inn while visiting for vacation. The breadsticks did not come with any sauce and when my wife asked for some she was offered ranch only. This seemed odd given that breadsticks are served primarily with marinara and pizza red sauce is normally marinara. Once we got the pizza back to where we were staying we found the breadsticks were completely burnt on two sides and of the two pizzas we ordered, one had been completely messed up. The supreme was missing all of its toppings except for sausage which wasn’t even supposed to be on the pizza and mushrooms which we had selected to be removed from the pizza. Quite a let down since the one correct pizza had decent flavor.
Erin Talcott
Kurt is amazing and we love him.
ANDREW A
Avoid, owner is running it into the ground.
Beth Cooper
We came in for dinner and sat at the bar. The service and food were both fantastic!
Joan Dr.
Dropped in for dinner about a week ago. The staff was polite and efficient. Food was good I had the fish n chips and would recommend it. Try the house wines!
Josh Dolsen
Awesome staff and best pizza in town. Highly recommend to anyone looking for a great atmosphere and amazing food.
Suga DNA
First and possibly last time I'll ever go. Plates were super dirty, silverware looked as tho someone ran their fingers along the knifes to dry them. Kitchen music was way too loud to the point that you couldn't hear the normal music. Every single member, and I mean nearly every single staff member, including kitchen staff, was sitting at the bar, playing on their phones, talking super loud, making phone calls on personal cells. Along with that, they would just look at you as you ate. It felt like they were trying to listen into our conversation. Got to the point that we had to text one another for some sort of privacy. The menus were beyond dirty and extremely hard to read. The server was not friendly and couldn't even give us half the stuff ( I don't remember his name). Nearly all the pizzas didn't have the toppings we wanted, so it was harder to choose food. The only things that were good at the table were the pizza and the appetizers. I've worked in the restaurant industry for years and couldn't believe the things I witnessed tonight.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 2
Service: 3
Doug Mack
2024.12.14: I completely forgot I left a review nine years ago... but nine years later, new owner and dare I say it's worse than it was back then...
As a lifelong entrepreneur in the small business space, I really don't like leaving a poor review for a local business, but after four attempts at loving this place since it re-opened with a new owner... I cannot hold back any longer, especially after tonight's experience.
I placed a pizza order online. Their online menu is built out terribly and does not allow for customizations. No big deal. I placed the order and called. My call was answered the second time, but unfortunately, they couldn't hear me—not because of my phone, but because of theirs. It was evident this was a continued issue.
I finally got them to hear, 'Can you call me from a different phone?'—to which they advised they were not allowed to. So, I just asked that they cancel the order. There was lots of yelling back and forth in attempts to hear one another, but it's very clear that serving customers is not BRI's forte. Zero accountability. Zero 'do whatever it takes' mindset.
Frankly, this was my final attempt to like the 'new' BRI after visiting three times previously and having a mediocre experience at best. We'll see if they do the right thing and refund my money or if I need to dispute the transaction, considering I could not order what I actually wanted to eat.
My invitation to leadership is to a) hire staff who live and breathe a customer-first mindset and b) empower them to make decisions that allow them to create a great customer experience.
The solution could have been SO simple... "Sir, we're having trouble with our phone here; let me call you right back from my cell phone so we can take care of you." That would have lead to a completely different review filled with gratitude and admiration—and a very nice tip.
But here we are—hungry and incredibly disappointed with my final experience of BRI. I genuinely hope they get it together and get the right people on the bus with a positive mindset, all moving in the same direction and with the power to make decisions that matter. Or... perhaps we'll watch the negative reviews continue to mount up before the space is empty once again.
First, the host was less than pleasurable and when I asked for a different open table she essentially advised it wasn't possible.
Then, we were greeted by our server with 'welcome to BRI. We're out of meatloaf and ribs.' in a I'm really busy and don't have time for you kind of tone. Alrighty.... Good to meet you and glad we're here.
The server/bartender was CLEARLY over worked as there was a constant feeling of being rushed.
What really nailed the coffin was the server saying 'I'm going to steal these' referencing the mayonnaise and mustard, when I was halfway finished with my sandwich. She comes back a moment later and asks if there's anything she can get us and I said... Um...mayonnaise? To which she then took them off the other guests table and put them on mine... Confused, I asked if this is the only container of mayonnaise and she provided an answer that essentially meant there is more but I'm not going to go find it.
In my opinion, this staff needs serious work...if not a complete dump and rehire--but it all starts at the top.
The food overall was ok. Not great... Not bad... Just OK. And there are many other places to get average or better food and much better service in a far nicer environment.
I've been to BRI on a number of occasions in years past and as it stands with cu
one of the best chicken sandwiches I've had in awhile. my kids (who are very picky, extremely picky) also enjoyed there corndogs and chicken tenders! friendly staff. would recommend
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
S. K.
Took 15 minutes to get a drink at 630 PM, bc counting the drawer was a bit too much.
Service went downhill from here.
$70 later, I’ll spend it elsewhere.
Rob S
The wait staff was really nice. Most of them were new. It was really smokey inside from the kitchen. They ran out of glassware so we got different size drink cups at first then plastic cups. The floor would buckle and your chair would move as The wait staff moved around in the dining area.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 3
MBZ
Met friends prior to going to Boyne skywalk. They had been before and wanted to return for the amazing calzone. We had 2 pizzas…one gluten free, a Slim Jim and calzone. Generous servings, great value, excellent food and extremely attentive staff. Chef?/owner? came out to enquire if we liked the items and it we needed anything. Waitress cked on us frequently. Friendly bar/bistro atmosphere with wonderful cozy deck above the rushing river behind the building. Watch salmon run in river! Highly recommend.
Dietary restrictions: Gluten free pizza requested and is available
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Truffle Fries
Rich Clark
Recently restored. Soft benches, solid tables, rustic ceiling. Beautiful views of Boyne River and park beyond that. Two separate bar tops. Excellent food. A little pricy but good quality and quantity. Many TV screens to watch.
PLEASE READ !!!
Ok so this doesn’t happen often , if ever … but this place gets an extremely poor review :(
My son has told me he’s tried to go in for a burger several times over 2 yrs ( yes 2 YEARS ) and has been treated badly by workers and never got a chance to try their food ~ once he sat at a table for 20-30 min before asking for service just to find the kitchen was CLOSED !
So the other day , I tell my son that we wanted to go there and sit outside and asked him to meet us there ~ he was refusing to come along and I assured him that me and his dad wouldn’t possibly get bad service because we NEVER DO ! He reluctantly met us there .
UGH… I was WRONG …. First time for everything !
We go in ( party of 4 adults , 1 child ) and I ask to wait for a table on back patio ~ the girls looked at me like she’d never been asked that ~
so … who I can only assume was the manager was called over ( for a table request) and again looked as though I asked for him first born child or something:/ he proceeded to say … we will have to wait & I graciously said ‘ yes absolutely we expected that & we’ll sit at the bar for a drink while waiting’ ~ then it gets REALLY STRANGE… the manager looks at the bar and says to me that there’s not enough chairs for us to sit together & I again replied ..’ that’s fine , it will be fine , we can see that ~ or we can even sit outside in the front & wait with our drink if you’ll let us know when a table opens ‘?
While out there I believe it was the owner came out & checked on us & acted weird as well , didn’t say anything to us about a table soon opening or ask if we needed anything after 45 min or so . So why come out at all (?)
After that my son looks at me and says ‘ I TOLD YOU THIS PLACE IS JUST OFF !’ .My husband assumed that the first girl and the owner possibly didn’t speak English well (?) I honestly have no … idea ….
Needless to say to say we left and went to one of our faves ( LSP ) and as always great food as well as service:)
We just wanted to try the food at BRI because they have good reviews . We now don’t honestly believe they can be real reviews from what we witnessed .
We’re not visiting the area ~ we built a second home there 4 yrs ago & are in the area all of the time ~ I can see them feeling like we didn't belong in this type of place & I definitely won’t make this mistake again , and that’s just sad because we’re not ‘ THOSE ‘ kind of people ~ but we do have standards .
I feel obligated to warn others by writing this review to let people know how horrible this place is to people the same as we write great reviews for all other places .
I gave it 2 * because my cocktail was good :/
PLEASE DO NOT GO IN THIS PLACE IF YOU'RE TRAVELING!!! So many other great restaurants throughout charlevoix county to spend money at .
I came in for the patio view of the river. Came away very impressed with Food and staff. This is holiday season so place was swamped but they had tons of staff. The food goes above and beyond standard fare. Best pizza in town. Good dough perfectly cooked. Burgers were fresh. Where can you get a nice 1/2 pound fresh hamburger? Nowhere. This is hands down the best restaurant in Boyne. If ur in town long enough chances are you will dine at all of them. Do yourself a favor and start here.
I ordered pizza and breadsticks for take out for my family from the Boyne River Inn while visiting for vacation. The breadsticks did not come with any sauce and when my wife asked for some she was offered ranch only. This seemed odd given that breadsticks are served primarily with marinara and pizza red sauce is normally marinara. Once we got the pizza back to where we were staying we found the breadsticks were completely burnt on two sides and of the two pizzas we ordered, one had been completely messed up. The supreme was missing all of its toppings except for sausage which wasn’t even supposed to be on the pizza and mushrooms which we had selected to be removed from the pizza. Quite a let down since the one correct pizza had decent flavor.
Kurt is amazing and we love him.
Avoid, owner is running it into the ground.
We came in for dinner and sat at the bar. The service and food were both fantastic!
Dropped in for dinner about a week ago. The staff was polite and efficient. Food was good I had the fish n chips and would recommend it. Try the house wines!
Awesome staff and best pizza in town. Highly recommend to anyone looking for a great atmosphere and amazing food.
First and possibly last time I'll ever go. Plates were super dirty, silverware looked as tho someone ran their fingers along the knifes to dry them. Kitchen music was way too loud to the point that you couldn't hear the normal music. Every single member, and I mean nearly every single staff member, including kitchen staff, was sitting at the bar, playing on their phones, talking super loud, making phone calls on personal cells. Along with that, they would just look at you as you ate. It felt like they were trying to listen into our conversation. Got to the point that we had to text one another for some sort of privacy. The menus were beyond dirty and extremely hard to read. The server was not friendly and couldn't even give us half the stuff ( I don't remember his name). Nearly all the pizzas didn't have the toppings we wanted, so it was harder to choose food. The only things that were good at the table were the pizza and the appetizers. I've worked in the restaurant industry for years and couldn't believe the things I witnessed tonight.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 2
Service: 3
2024.12.14: I completely forgot I left a review nine years ago... but nine years later, new owner and dare I say it's worse than it was back then...
As a lifelong entrepreneur in the small business space, I really don't like leaving a poor review for a local business, but after four attempts at loving this place since it re-opened with a new owner... I cannot hold back any longer, especially after tonight's experience.
I placed a pizza order online. Their online menu is built out terribly and does not allow for customizations. No big deal. I placed the order and called. My call was answered the second time, but unfortunately, they couldn't hear me—not because of my phone, but because of theirs. It was evident this was a continued issue.
I finally got them to hear, 'Can you call me from a different phone?'—to which they advised they were not allowed to. So, I just asked that they cancel the order. There was lots of yelling back and forth in attempts to hear one another, but it's very clear that serving customers is not BRI's forte. Zero accountability. Zero 'do whatever it takes' mindset.
Frankly, this was my final attempt to like the 'new' BRI after visiting three times previously and having a mediocre experience at best. We'll see if they do the right thing and refund my money or if I need to dispute the transaction, considering I could not order what I actually wanted to eat.
My invitation to leadership is to a) hire staff who live and breathe a customer-first mindset and b) empower them to make decisions that allow them to create a great customer experience.
The solution could have been SO simple... "Sir, we're having trouble with our phone here; let me call you right back from my cell phone so we can take care of you." That would have lead to a completely different review filled with gratitude and admiration—and a very nice tip.
But here we are—hungry and incredibly disappointed with my final experience of BRI. I genuinely hope they get it together and get the right people on the bus with a positive mindset, all moving in the same direction and with the power to make decisions that matter. Or... perhaps we'll watch the negative reviews continue to mount up before the space is empty once again.
** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** **
ORGINAL REVIEW
** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** **
First, the host was less than pleasurable and when I asked for a different open table she essentially advised it wasn't possible.
Then, we were greeted by our server with 'welcome to BRI. We're out of meatloaf and ribs.' in a I'm really busy and don't have time for you kind of tone. Alrighty.... Good to meet you and glad we're here.
The server/bartender was CLEARLY over worked as there was a constant feeling of being rushed.
What really nailed the coffin was the server saying 'I'm going to steal these' referencing the mayonnaise and mustard, when I was halfway finished with my sandwich. She comes back a moment later and asks if there's anything she can get us and I said... Um...mayonnaise? To which she then took them off the other guests table and put them on mine... Confused, I asked if this is the only container of mayonnaise and she provided an answer that essentially meant there is more but I'm not going to go find it.
In my opinion, this staff needs serious work...if not a complete dump and rehire--but it all starts at the top.
The food overall was ok. Not great... Not bad... Just OK. And there are many other places to get average or better food and much better service in a far nicer environment.
I've been to BRI on a number of occasions in years past and as it stands with cu
Restaurantji Recommends
one of the best chicken sandwiches I've had in awhile. my kids (who are very picky, extremely picky) also enjoyed there corndogs and chicken tenders! friendly staff. would recommend
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Took 15 minutes to get a drink at 630 PM, bc counting the drawer was a bit too much.
Service went downhill from here.
$70 later, I’ll spend it elsewhere.
The wait staff was really nice. Most of them were new. It was really smokey inside from the kitchen. They ran out of glassware so we got different size drink cups at first then plastic cups. The floor would buckle and your chair would move as The wait staff moved around in the dining area.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 3
Met friends prior to going to Boyne skywalk. They had been before and wanted to return for the amazing calzone. We had 2 pizzas…one gluten free, a Slim Jim and calzone. Generous servings, great value, excellent food and extremely attentive staff. Chef?/owner? came out to enquire if we liked the items and it we needed anything. Waitress cked on us frequently. Friendly bar/bistro atmosphere with wonderful cozy deck above the rushing river behind the building. Watch salmon run in river! Highly recommend.
Dietary restrictions: Gluten free pizza requested and is available
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Truffle Fries
Recently restored. Soft benches, solid tables, rustic ceiling. Beautiful views of Boyne River and park beyond that. Two separate bar tops. Excellent food. A little pricy but good quality and quantity. Many TV screens to watch.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Onion Rings, Truffle Fries
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