Unfortunately, I will not be returning to Clifford Lake Inn. I brought friends for what I hoped would be a wonderful evening. They had never been there before, and since my past experiences were enjoyable, I thought it would be a great choice. Our server struggled throughout the meal, but the real issue came at the end. My husband has a serious egg allergy, and at first, the waitress didn’t seem to take it very seriously until I emphasized it. Then, when the bill arrived, there was a $10 charge for a half Caesar salad I never ordered. I assumed it was included with my meal since it was placed in front of me. When I questioned it, the waitress claimed she thought my husband had ordered it—he had not. I explained that I shouldn’t have to pay for something I didn’t order. She took the bill but never removed the charge, never apologized, and never addressed it again. This was frustrating for two reasons: I had ordered a large entrée that normally comes with a salad, so it wasn’t unreasonable to assume it was part of my meal. And if she thought it was for my husband but he never ordered it, that was her mistake. Between the allergy being brushed off and being charged for food we didn’t order, the experience was disappointing. Sadly, after this visit, I can’t recommend Clifford Lake Inn.
Sunshine178062
Unfortunately, our experience at the Inn was not what we expected. There wasn't anything that would make me want to come back again. The food was average at best. My husband ordered the fish and chips dinner that came with potato chips instead of the fries that the menu indicated. My coleslaw didn't have any dressing on it at all, just shredded cabbage. The silverware had to be sent back because there was old food dried on between the prongs of the fork. And lastly, the drinks were really watered down. When I order a $10 specialty drink I expect to at least be able to taste the rum in it a little bit. But it wasn't just my drink, my husbands was watered down also. The slow service I will overlook since the waitress was new and the deck was nice to sit on. The views are beautiful. So, I guess if you just want a nice deck to sit on then this is your place. If you want good food and a nice deck, try Turk Lake restaurant.
Janet Horricks
We had a fabulous dinner last night prepared by Cameron CLI chef who is awesome!
It was one of the best meals we have had in along time. Thank you Cam!
Jessica Silva
I'm very surprised to see this restaurant maintain 4.5 stars overall. Maybe we hit a bad time frame on Saturday afternoon at 4:30pm, but I would not recommend CLI to anyone. Service was poor at best and the food left much to be desired for the price. Our brussel sprout appetizer came out missing most of the listed ingredients and when the server finally came around and was politely notified, he offered no apology whatsoever and did not take them off the bill. Their "best mac-n-cheese in Michigan" was bland and seriously underwhelming. Pulled pork seemed of poor quality and was drowning in sauce to try and hide that fact. The lakefront chicken was charcoaled badly on one side and just a sloppy mess overall. $3.75 for a cup of regular coffee. $100 total for 3 of us with no alcohol. This would be fine if the food and service matched but it just doesn't. We will not be going back.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Kathy Alberda
Fun atmosphere and the Apple Crisp dessert was out of this world
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Kimberly Yeasley
It's great
Parking: It's all great sights and all
Kid-friendliness: Kids would love it
Wheelchair accessibility: Yes it is
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chicken Bacon Ranch Wrap
Miriam cross
Food was great, atmosphere was amazing sitting outside. They were quite busy and a little short staffed, but they did an amazing job.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Liz & Vinnie Tuzil
We did a few different tastings before selecting our caterer and after we drove out to CLI for our tasting (we're from the suburbs of Chicago) we knew we had to go with CLI!
Shane & his team are incredible and we loved absolutely everything we tried!! Their selections make it so hard to narrow it down!
Our guests were raving about the food! We are so happy we went with CLI and would highly recommend them!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Tim Morgan
Very nice place. The food was very good, with a great location and atmosphere. Our party ordered the.. dockside risotto, prime rib brunch bowl, salmon benedict, grilled salmon sandwich, sweet potato tacos, and a smash burger. Music way too loud for a Sunday at 2pm.
Vegetarian options: Sweet potato tacos
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Salad
carlin caszatt
This was a disappointing meal with a beautiful view. It was not busy and there were open tables but it took over 2 hours to get our meal. When the food finally got there, it was cold. We drove 45 minutes but will not be back.
Beautiful outdoor seating is a real plus. Crab dip appetizer was amazing, Lakeside Chicken Entree excellent. Limited hours so check before going.
Wheelchair accessibility: Has ramp but pretty steep
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
roy majors
A must do if your in the area
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
chad parmie
Wonderful service, Wonderful food
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
brian shipaila
Update, New Owner, You must stop in, what a Difference. Food unbelievable, atmosphere always Stunning. Staff, to notch. See pics for now info, OUTSTANDING. We go at least once a month.
Ran into second issue now, we will not be going back. Wait staff is poor (except Brody), Mary(hostess, Manager, ass. Manager not sure what her role was) full of excuses, rude, dingbat! To be successful you have to surround yourself with successful people. Not the case here, burgers were not as good this time 1/8 of a burger was raw meat, not cooked. Had to ask for everything, then got that..is there anything else I can get you..Yes ALL the items I asked for the first time..geez..scenery good, nothing else.. New Owner Dana has really spruced up the place. Atmosphere better, burgers are unbelievable! Brody is a waiter that stands out. Sitting in the deck watching the boat traffic was outstanding.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Marinated Mushrooms
Teresa Good
I haven’t been to Clifford Lake Inn in Awhile… the Food/Service was Excellent.. Sitting in the Outside Deck was so Nice watching the Boats and Smelling the Fresh Lake Water… I would highly Recommend this Restaurant to go to and a Nice place for Family and Friends to meet up at
Kid-friendliness: The Outside deck or inside Dinning is great for Families with children
Wheelchair accessibility: Nice Ramp to assist in Wheelchair/Disabled Persons access to Restaurant, Outdoor Sitting, Restrooms
Unfortunately, I will not be returning to Clifford Lake Inn. I brought friends for what I hoped would be a wonderful evening. They had never been there before, and since my past experiences were enjoyable, I thought it would be a great choice. Our server struggled throughout the meal, but the real issue came at the end. My husband has a serious egg allergy, and at first, the waitress didn’t seem to take it very seriously until I emphasized it. Then, when the bill arrived, there was a $10 charge for a half Caesar salad I never ordered. I assumed it was included with my meal since it was placed in front of me. When I questioned it, the waitress claimed she thought my husband had ordered it—he had not. I explained that I shouldn’t have to pay for something I didn’t order. She took the bill but never removed the charge, never apologized, and never addressed it again. This was frustrating for two reasons: I had ordered a large entrée that normally comes with a salad, so it wasn’t unreasonable to assume it was part of my meal. And if she thought it was for my husband but he never ordered it, that was her mistake. Between the allergy being brushed off and being charged for food we didn’t order, the experience was disappointing. Sadly, after this visit, I can’t recommend Clifford Lake Inn.
Unfortunately, our experience at the Inn was not what we expected. There wasn't anything that would make me want to come back again. The food was average at best. My husband ordered the fish and chips dinner that came with potato chips instead of the fries that the menu indicated. My coleslaw didn't have any dressing on it at all, just shredded cabbage. The silverware had to be sent back because there was old food dried on between the prongs of the fork. And lastly, the drinks were really watered down. When I order a $10 specialty drink I expect to at least be able to taste the rum in it a little bit. But it wasn't just my drink, my husbands was watered down also. The slow service I will overlook since the waitress was new and the deck was nice to sit on. The views are beautiful. So, I guess if you just want a nice deck to sit on then this is your place. If you want good food and a nice deck, try Turk Lake restaurant.
We had a fabulous dinner last night prepared by Cameron CLI chef who is awesome! It was one of the best meals we have had in along time. Thank you Cam!
I'm very surprised to see this restaurant maintain 4.5 stars overall. Maybe we hit a bad time frame on Saturday afternoon at 4:30pm, but I would not recommend CLI to anyone. Service was poor at best and the food left much to be desired for the price. Our brussel sprout appetizer came out missing most of the listed ingredients and when the server finally came around and was politely notified, he offered no apology whatsoever and did not take them off the bill. Their "best mac-n-cheese in Michigan" was bland and seriously underwhelming. Pulled pork seemed of poor quality and was drowning in sauce to try and hide that fact. The lakefront chicken was charcoaled badly on one side and just a sloppy mess overall. $3.75 for a cup of regular coffee. $100 total for 3 of us with no alcohol. This would be fine if the food and service matched but it just doesn't. We will not be going back.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Fun atmosphere and the Apple Crisp dessert was out of this world
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
It's great
Parking: It's all great sights and all
Kid-friendliness: Kids would love it
Wheelchair accessibility: Yes it is
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chicken Bacon Ranch Wrap
Food was great, atmosphere was amazing sitting outside. They were quite busy and a little short staffed, but they did an amazing job.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We did a few different tastings before selecting our caterer and after we drove out to CLI for our tasting (we're from the suburbs of Chicago) we knew we had to go with CLI!
Shane & his team are incredible and we loved absolutely everything we tried!! Their selections make it so hard to narrow it down!
Our guests were raving about the food! We are so happy we went with CLI and would highly recommend them!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Very nice place. The food was very good, with a great location and atmosphere. Our party ordered the.. dockside risotto, prime rib brunch bowl, salmon benedict, grilled salmon sandwich, sweet potato tacos, and a smash burger. Music way too loud for a Sunday at 2pm.
Vegetarian options: Sweet potato tacos
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Salad
This was a disappointing meal with a beautiful view. It was not busy and there were open tables but it took over 2 hours to get our meal. When the food finally got there, it was cold. We drove 45 minutes but will not be back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 2
Service: 2
Restaurantji Recommends
Beautiful outdoor seating is a real plus. Crab dip appetizer was amazing, Lakeside Chicken Entree excellent. Limited hours so check before going.
Wheelchair accessibility: Has ramp but pretty steep
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
A must do if your in the area
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Wonderful service, Wonderful food
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Update, New Owner, You must stop in, what a Difference.
Food unbelievable, atmosphere always Stunning. Staff, to notch. See pics for now info, OUTSTANDING. We go at least once a month.
Ran into second issue now, we will not be going back. Wait staff is poor (except Brody), Mary(hostess, Manager, ass. Manager not sure what her role was) full of excuses, rude, dingbat! To be successful you have to surround yourself with successful people. Not the case here,
burgers were not as good this time 1/8 of a burger was raw meat, not cooked. Had to ask for everything, then got that..is there anything else I can get you..Yes ALL the items I asked for the first time..geez..scenery good, nothing else..
New Owner Dana has really spruced up the place. Atmosphere better, burgers are unbelievable! Brody is a waiter that stands out. Sitting in the deck watching the boat traffic was outstanding.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Marinated Mushrooms
I haven’t been to Clifford Lake Inn in Awhile… the Food/Service was Excellent.. Sitting in the Outside Deck was so Nice watching the Boats and Smelling the Fresh Lake Water… I would highly Recommend this Restaurant to go to and a Nice place for Family and Friends to meet up at
Kid-friendliness: The Outside deck or inside Dinning is great for Families with children
Wheelchair accessibility: Nice Ramp to assist in Wheelchair/Disabled Persons access to Restaurant, Outdoor Sitting, Restrooms
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Salad
Loading...