34 Best American Restaurants near Sparta

“It's clean, decent food and a happy atmosphere!“

“It is a very friendly place and the bartenders are great.. Great place to hang out...“

“great food awsome home town environment“

“Rose Waitress was great very friendly“

“The meatlovers omelet, phenomenal dish“

“My girlfriends and I met at Blue Water for dinner tonight. Our waiter named Will made our dinner so enjoyable and fun. Our dinner came out so fast and the food was delicious. We split a dessert that we all didn’t care for. The General Manager Sheena came over immediately and offered us to try something different. She brought us a new dessert. She was so sweet and personable.“

“This place got rated as the third best burger in Grand Rapids. Which is untrue. This place has, hands down, the best burger in Grand Rapids. Maybe even the state. The meat they use far surpasses any other burger I've had. I wish I could give it six stars.“

“Blackberry Cobbler is life.“

“So as my college student’s know, customer service is a pet peeve of mine. Well I just had a top notch customer service experience at your store. It is just as important to say good job, as it is to be upset when thing are substandard. So thank you for showing me my business is important.“

“Wow! I went back to the Big Boy in Cedar Springs after staying away for a long time, and guess what? It was way better this time. It felt like finding out Santa really DID bring you the good candy. The best part? They have a breakfast buffet. A real one! Those are super rare now, like spotting a reindeer in the wild. But Big Boy has it, and they keep it filled up with fresh food. The whole place looked cleaner too—nice floors, tidy tables, everything looking happy. On my first plate, I grabbed all the yummy classics: • Thick French toast with warm syrup (it tasted like a hug!) • A pancake with sweet cinnamon apples on top • Crispy bacon • Sausage links • Scrambled eggs The French toast was the star—golden and soft and perfect. The pancake was a little old, but the apples made it taste great anyway. The meats were tasty too, just not super hot. On my second plate, I went for the savory stuff: • Fried potatoes • More scrambled eggs • Polish sausage • More bacon and sausage • And then… SAUSAGE GRAVY ON TOP! (Yes, please!) The gravy was rich and peppery and made everything taste extra cozy. Some of the food was a little cool, though. And I saw a pan of cheesy hash browns that looked very burnt—like “left in the oven since last Christmas” burnt. The server was friendly and checked on me just enough—like a good elf who knows when you need more chocolate milk. All in all, this Big Boy is back to being a great place for a big, simple, happy breakfast. The buffet is fun, the place is cleaner, and the staff is kind. If they keep the food a little hotter and swap out old items faster, it’ll be even better. If you love breakfast buffets, this one is worth a visit. Smiling’s my favorite, and breakfast buffets might be my second favorite!“

“Love this bar, most everyone takes great care of the customers. Cole was my waiter tonight and he is always so attentive, friendly, and accommodating. I was sitting alone and he made sure I was taken care of the entire time I was here! ❤️“

“Awesome place and awesome people. Love the leaderboard“

“Great food and service. Cool little spot with fun hotdog options.“

“Food was great but very cold inside, We could not even take off coats to eat comfortably.
We ended up eating quickly and leaving due to the temperature inside the restaurant.
Customers around us were also wearing their coats.“

“Awesome place with great food!!“

“Everything is good at Charlie’s“

“Amazing food, great service and atmosphere!!“

“Always enjoy your beer but why does your bathroom resemble a jail cell? Weird, dark, lighting and dark colors. Also, that stainless steal sink that stays on for maybe a fraction of a second.

Who saw this aesthetic and thought, I'd feel comfortable in my most vulnerable state here.

Very rapey“

“We went with a large group of volleyball players, parents and coaches and it was perfect! Our server, Jessica, was incredible!! The girls played pool, corn hole, and shuffle board and everyone had a great time. The food was great too! Highly recommend!“

“Very clean! Cordial staff! Tasty food! I would recommend the Red Rock Grille for Breakfast, Lunch or Pizza!“

“Food and atmosphere have always been great. However, lately the pizza sauce flavor has declined. In addition - the side salad is terrible. A bowl of dry spring mix with a few tomatoes and a handful of cheese. Flavorless. A better mix of greens - add some romaine and iceberg, toss on a couple cucumbers. Meatballs! Yum!“

“I just ordered take out!! It's always so good!! Happy Valentines Day!“

“Love the diner feel. The food is amazing, fast. the staff super friendly. We will definitely be back.“

“The Kiwanis Club of Grand Rapids meets here every week, and it’s easy to see why. The food is consistently delicious, the atmosphere is warm and welcoming, and the staff always makes us feel right at home. A very special shout-out goes to Nikki and Ainsley, who brighten every meeting with their outstanding service. They’re attentive, friendly, and incredibly organized—always making sure our group is well taken care of, even on the busiest days. Their positive attitude sets the tone for our entire gathering. If you’re looking for a place that combines great food with exceptional hospitality, this is it. Highly recommended!“

“great service and friendly staff!“

“Love the diner feel. The food is amazing, fast. the staff super friendly. We will definitely be back.“

“Saw a highway sign and was curious about the fun name. Asparagus tacos-unique and delicious! Flight of beers, cider and seltzers are good too. Welcoming staff and fun shopping. Be sure to pick up Hippie Chips. Well done folks!“

“Friendly hostess. Friendly waitress very knowledgeable. No waiting line. Food is great very tasty and delicious and affordable. Place is clean, bathroom is clean and stocked. Convenient Handicapped parking in front. Plenty of clean parking space.“

“Always good food. Portions are good-not ridiculous sized. Options for gluten free, lighter calorie, and/or not fried foods. Best cole slaw hands down. Prices are mid range and staff is always friendly.

Dietary restrictions: Gluten free

Kid-friendliness: Kid friendly meals, crayons and color sheets.

Wheelchair accessibility: Yes, one level, double doors.“

“A Heartwarming Family Tradition in Grand Rapids: New Beginnings Restaurant
5200 Northland Dr NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525

Every year, like clockwork, my kids and I make the pilgrimage down to New Beginnings on Northland Drive to celebrate my birthday with a proper breakfast feast. It’s become our little family ritual—one of those traditions that feels as comforting as a big ol’ bear hug from a favorite uncle who’s always got your back, no matter what. This Christmas Eve (December 24, 2025), we did it again, and as always, it didn’t disappoint.

The place was pleasantly busy at about half capacity—understandable on a holiday morning when folks are home wrapping last-minute gifts or sipping cocoa by the tree. But the atmosphere was warm and welcoming, just like stepping into a classic diner where everybody knows how to make you feel right at home.

Service was outstanding. Our server was attentive, friendly, and on top of everything with a genuine smile that made the meal even better. (A quick note: If you’re reading this, miss—I hope you got the full tip! I fumbled the math at checkout and under-tipped initially, but I made sure to leave the rest on the table. Holidays scramble the brain sometimes!)

The food? Pure comfort in every bite, executed to perfection in true New Beginnings style:
• My son went with the pancakes and bacon—fluffy stacks of pancakes paired with crispy, perfectly cooked bacon that disappeared faster than you can say “pass the syrup.”
• My daughter ordered bacon and eggs with toast, specifically for dipping into those glorious over-easy yolks. She was in heaven.
• For me, the birthday boy: three scrambled eggs, plenty of bacon, golden hash browns, all generously slathered with their rich, savory sausage gravy. And of course, a large chocolate milk to wash it all down—creamy, cold, and just the right amount of chocolaty nostalgia.

Everything arrived hot, fresh, and delicious. Portions are hearty (as they should be at a spot famous for its biscuits and gravy), and the flavors hit all the right notes of homemade goodness.

New Beginnings has that timeless diner charm—reliable, family-friendly, and serving up breakfast classics that taste like they come straight from Grandma’s kitchen. It’s no wonder this chain has become a West Michigan staple.

One ongoing wish from this loyal patron: Please, oh please, consider opening a location up in Cedar Springs! It would save us the drive and bring that same warmth a little closer to home.

If you’re in the Grand Rapids area and craving a no-nonsense, delicious breakfast with great service, head to New Beginnings on Northland Drive. You won’t regret it—it’s the kind of place that turns a regular meal into a memorable occasion. Highly recommended!“

“I rarely leave reviews, but our service that last two visits deserve it! Our kids love the free popcorn and card games. We love the food and drinks, and June is the best bartender and waitress! She reminded us what real hospitality feels like, remembers us and our orders from previous visits, and made real connections with our teens. We'll definitely be back on nights when she's working!“

“We had a wonderful experience and a delightful brunch at Reds. The view was great and we had exceptional service. We highly recommend this new find and will definitely be back.“

“Delicious well done! On a pretzel bun! Side of sweet potato fries was delicious! ‘Q’ (Quentin) was a delight as our server! He is very professional and engaging! Thanks Q!“

“I picked up my order today. The staff was so kind and professional helping me rearrange some things as my party size had changed. The gentlemen even offered to help get it to my car since I had my baby with me! Exceptional service and attitudes by all the staff I interacted with! Very impressed!“