We ate here after a friend's recommendation. The fish was fresh, the fried lake perch and fried salmon were cooked well. However, the gulf shrimp was overcooked and chewy. The breading on the fried items was lite and not overly greasy but lacked flavor. To us, it was bland. The service was good and efficient. We got through the line in a decent amount of time. A little pricey for what you get. All in all, it wasn't bad, but one visit was enough for us.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 5
Dale Wheeler
My second lunch in a row here. Fish and fries made to order. Lake perch is fantastic. Pro tips: be ready give your order when asked. Plenty of menus on the wall and the 50 people in line behind you will not think kindly of you while you're trying to decide or asking questions. And second, don't be put off if there's a long line. It moves along and it's so worth it.Vegetarian options: None, that's not why you're here.Parking: A few spots in front, mostly along the road.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Shallymar Bigtacion
Great food! Highly recommend stopping by if you are in the area! Long lines but fast service!They have fried, fresh and smoked fish. We come here every year when camping (at least 2x when staying for the week). Wish they are open every day (closed on Sundays and Monday’s). Just an fyi they do not take credit/debit cards.They have picnic tables to eat outside of their building but there’s a nearby park with awesome view of Lake Michigan (summit park)
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Tara Elliott Martin
A must!! Recommended by our tour guide at Mac's Dune Rides. Had the Lake Perch and Walleye! 5 stars!! Fun experience!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Justin Huddleston
Excellent variety of fresh and fried seafood, best smelt I’ve ever had! They also have smoked fish and dips. Lots of options and they even have chicken tenders for those who don’t like seafood. Don’t be intimidated by the long line, it moves very quickly. There is no indoor seating but there are a few picnic tables out front or there is a park right across the street.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Darrel Brown
1st time visit was great! Loved the lake perch and walleye dinners, staff takes pride in their operation. Bought some great smoked sturgeon and white fish. Can't beat a location with a line out the door. Would definitely go back. If you had my mom's tarter sauce recipe you'd have to add on to the building ?
Dion Klass
Took my Mother there for her Birthday and ordered a smelt dinner, shrimp dinner, white fish dinner a pound of smelt and a side of mushrooms. I get over to the beach and we did not get the smelt dinner, which is what my mother wanted. So I go back and let them know that I was missing the smelt dinner. They told me this is what you ordered and that’s what you got. Then they waived me off. Now I had two other people with me, that heard me order the smelt dinner. Bortell’s is telling me that I did not order the smelt dinner. Now I would have paid for it, because they did not charge me the first time, but they just waived me off.
Theresa Barr
Welp. There was a long line and wait, but I must say, it was well worth it! There are several options: perch, whitefish, trout & walleye (in season), BUT, the food is fresh and delicious, even the fries (for which, BTW, they offer malt vinegar as a condiment!). This diamond in the rough is a place we just recently found due to the fact that my husband's dad kept a flyer/card. We felt like he was speaking to us from the grave, and were so happy he did. The coleslaw, which I usually hate, was delicious, creamy, and the perfect side for our fabulous fish entrees. We also ordered some scallops, and I'm happy to say that they were perfectly cooked! Do yourself a favor and check this place out; you won't be sorry!!!!
Patrick Hargrove
Found this place on Google while we were staying down at Mears State Park. It is only about 15 min away. It was a bit expensive but had good portions and delicious fresh fish and fries. The smoked fish also looked great. Make sure to bring cash as they don't take cards.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Curtis Lyon
This is a wonderful place for fresh, clean fried fish and smoked fish! The catfish, whitefish, walleye and fries were all delicious! The smoked Norwegian salmon is amazing too! Take your order outside to the picnic tables or anywhere else you wish to have a very satisfying meal.Thanks Bortells for doing a great job! We made a 2 hour day trip just to enjoy this great fish market!
My wife heard about this place and said we had to stop here. It didn't disappoint at all! Fresh fish right into the fryers and the fries were amazing! We will definitely be back when we are near Ludington again! Best fried trout I've ever had!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Michael
Fish was great! Cash or Check only. The prices are a bit high but you are paying for quality and you can taste it.
Food: 5
Service: 5
Courtney Wilson
We really enjoy Bortell's. We visit a handful of times during the season and have never had a bad meal here. Fish is always fresh and cooked perfectly. Friendly family owned business!
J P.
Fresh, flavorful food prepared while you wait (and the wait isn't long!). I'm just bummed that I don't live closer!
David K.
Found this place after a random word-of-mouth recommendation. While standing outside in line (and we were told you ALWAYS stand in line), we heard suggestions for our order from families who have been coming there for 20 or 30 years. No one could name a place they liked as well for fresh or smoked seafood. No argument from us!
We ate here after a friend's recommendation. The fish was fresh, the fried lake perch and fried salmon were cooked well. However, the gulf shrimp was overcooked and chewy. The breading on the fried items was lite and not overly greasy but lacked flavor. To us, it was bland. The service was good and efficient. We got through the line in a decent amount of time. A little pricey for what you get. All in all, it wasn't bad, but one visit was enough for us.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 5
My second lunch in a row here. Fish and fries made to order. Lake perch is fantastic. Pro tips: be ready give your order when asked. Plenty of menus on the wall and the 50 people in line behind you will not think kindly of you while you're trying to decide or asking questions. And second, don't be put off if there's a long line. It moves along and it's so worth it.Vegetarian options: None, that's not why you're here.Parking: A few spots in front, mostly along the road.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great food! Highly recommend stopping by if you are in the area! Long lines but fast service!They have fried, fresh and smoked fish. We come here every year when camping (at least 2x when staying for the week). Wish they are open every day (closed on Sundays and Monday’s). Just an fyi they do not take credit/debit cards.They have picnic tables to eat outside of their building but there’s a nearby park with awesome view of Lake Michigan (summit park)
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
A must!! Recommended by our tour guide at Mac's Dune Rides. Had the Lake Perch and Walleye! 5 stars!! Fun experience!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Excellent variety of fresh and fried seafood, best smelt I’ve ever had! They also have smoked fish and dips. Lots of options and they even have chicken tenders for those who don’t like seafood. Don’t be intimidated by the long line, it moves very quickly. There is no indoor seating but there are a few picnic tables out front or there is a park right across the street.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
1st time visit was great! Loved the lake perch and walleye dinners, staff takes pride in their operation. Bought some great smoked sturgeon and white fish. Can't beat a location with a line out the door. Would definitely go back. If you had my mom's tarter sauce recipe you'd have to add on to the building ?
Took my Mother there for her Birthday and ordered a smelt dinner, shrimp dinner, white fish dinner a pound of smelt and a side of mushrooms. I get over to the beach and we did not get the smelt dinner, which is what my mother wanted. So I go back and let them know that I was missing the smelt dinner. They told me this is what you ordered and that’s what you got. Then they waived me off. Now I had two other people with me, that heard me order the smelt dinner. Bortell’s is telling me that I did not order the smelt dinner. Now I would have paid for it, because they did not charge me the first time, but they just waived me off.
Welp. There was a long line and wait, but I must say, it was well worth it! There are several options: perch, whitefish, trout & walleye (in season), BUT, the food is fresh and delicious, even the fries (for which, BTW, they offer malt vinegar as a condiment!). This diamond in the rough is a place we just recently found due to the fact that my husband's dad kept a flyer/card. We felt like he was speaking to us from the grave, and were so happy he did. The coleslaw, which I usually hate, was delicious, creamy, and the perfect side for our fabulous fish entrees. We also ordered some scallops, and I'm happy to say that they were perfectly cooked! Do yourself a favor and check this place out; you won't be sorry!!!!
Found this place on Google while we were staying down at Mears State Park. It is only about 15 min away. It was a bit expensive but had good portions and delicious fresh fish and fries. The smoked fish also looked great. Make sure to bring cash as they don't take cards.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This is a wonderful place for fresh, clean fried fish and smoked fish! The catfish, whitefish, walleye and fries were all delicious! The smoked Norwegian salmon is amazing too! Take your order outside to the picnic tables or anywhere else you wish to have a very satisfying meal.Thanks Bortells for doing a great job! We made a 2 hour day trip just to enjoy this great fish market!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
My wife heard about this place and said we had to stop here. It didn't disappoint at all! Fresh fish right into the fryers and the fries were amazing! We will definitely be back when we are near Ludington again! Best fried trout I've ever had!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Fish was great! Cash or Check only. The prices are a bit high but you are paying for quality and you can taste it.
Food: 5
Service: 5
We really enjoy Bortell's. We visit a handful of times during the season and have never had a bad meal here. Fish is always fresh and cooked perfectly. Friendly family owned business!
Fresh, flavorful food prepared while you wait (and the wait isn't long!). I'm just bummed that I don't live closer!
Found this place after a random word-of-mouth recommendation. While standing outside in line (and we were told you ALWAYS stand in line), we heard suggestions for our order from families who have been coming there for 20 or 30 years. No one could name a place they liked as well for fresh or smoked seafood. No argument from us!