Willie's Rear

I ate here on November 7th and feel like I got food poisoning. :(

Beth and Joe go out of their way to ensure you have the best breakfast in Traverse City. Shhhh..don't tell your friends!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Cozy diner. Good food. Friendly service!

Classic old school diner with a northern small town ambience and decor.
We are glad that we gave this place a try despite not having many photos.
Coffee was fresh, mild, not too strong and not weak, the waitress was attentive in a subtle way, not overbearing or too talkative, but to the point and pleasant.
The omlette, breakfast quesadilla, potatoes, toast and the house sauces were fresh and tasty.
They had cabin style walls with cabin decorations and little signs at the booths to encourage conversation over using phones and that was a nice touch. The whole place had a nice calm ambience which is great when you're trying to have breakfast and to wake up. We were able to have a booth in the front part where you can also have a view of the area where breakfast is made. Everything was clean and smelled nice. We will have this place in mind when we're in the area again.

Love it. Great food and service! Thanks Beth and Jim ❤️

Food: 5

Service: 5

The name on the sign had changed. We Googled the restaurant, it brought us here. We knew it was a gem when the parking lot was full. It is a 50’s style decor, food was great. Service was good, atmosphere gave us lots to look at. Our next trip to TC will definitely include breakfast at this nice spot.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 4

Recommended dishes: Sausage and Eggs and Potatoes

My wife is a big breakfast fan, so when we travel, we like to eat out at least once rather than eating the included breakfast at our hotel. Willie’s Rear was our choice.

The restaurant sits at one end of a string of store fronts. We walked up the steps only to discover that you don’t enter the front of the restaurant. You got it - you go in the rear (technically on the side towards the back).

My first thought was there’s no room in this place. The kitchen was to the right with a counter and then there were a handful of booths on the left. I then noticed the sign on the opposite wall indicating there was additional seating down the hall.

Our server was attentive and friendly. She seated us immediately, gave us menus and then grabbed our drinks. We soon had our order delivered to the cook.

My wife usually orders coffee, and our waitress made sure her cup stayed full. She was constantly joking with us and the other customers, probably one of the friendliest waitresses I’ve met.

Our food came out shortly. I ordered two eggs, toast and Jim’s potatoes along with bacon. I normally don’t go for potatoes, but for some reason, I thought since Jim put his name on them, they’re probably good, and that they were. I was disappointed, though, that I paid an extra $5 for the bacon only to get three strips. While it was good with a smokey flavor, I don’t know that I’d pay the extra for it.

My wife ordered Brent’s mess and Jim’s potatoes. She also enjoyed her meal.

We also had two sauces on the table - Hot Willie’s and Special Sauce. Honestly, I thought both tasted pretty good, but there wasn’t anything on my plate I felt needed the sauce, although I dipped a few potatoes in the Special Sauce.

We had parked out front, but I did see some parking behind the building as well.

For the service and the price, I’d recommend this place. The food was good, and it was just an all around nice diner to enjoy a delicious breakfast.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 4

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Jim's Potatoes

Wally's Rear was such an awesome find on our visit to see my Dad in T.C.!!! Food was excellent, as was the service. Will definitely be back!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Randomly had lunch here today with a friend, and it was some of the best breakfast food I've ever eaten. We absolutely fell in love with the place. Awesome food, great service, really nice cozy spot, fair prices and big portions. It's exactly what you would want out of a small local diner. This is our spot now!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Randomly had lunch here today with a friend, and it was some of the best breakfast food I've ever eaten. We absolutely fell in love with the place. Awesome food, great service, really nice cozy spot, fair prices and big portions. It's exactly what you would want out of a small local diner. This is our spot now!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Always amazing food and great people.Never dissatisfied.Been coming here for years.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Corned Beef Hash, Potatoes Special, Stack O Uttermilk Pancakes, Homemade Smoked Beef Hash, Homemade Corn Beef Hash

Best corned beef hash I've had at any

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Corned Beef Hash

Nice place home style atmosphere.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Very friendly. Fair prices. Great food.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Staff was nice, but food wasn't great. I don't think they put salt on anything - everything tasted bland.