New restaurants to try on your way to Lake Michigan this summer

In time for summer, Dr. Rolf’s Barbeque has expanded with its second lakeshore location, this time on the shores of Spring Lake. 

The popular Muskegon restaurant opened the satellite location at the site of the former Old Boys’ Brewhouse at 971 Savidge St. in the village of Spring Lake. The new restaurant offers a deck overlooking Spring Lake and the Grand River, as well as docking space and to-go options for boaters looking to grab a meal on the water. 

The restaurant officially opened the doors in early May on Spring Lake.  

Dr. Rolf’s offers classic barbeque options like pork belly, grits, brisket, mac and cheese, wings and burnt ends. 

Keep up with all things West Michigan business. Sign up for our free newsletters today.

Owner Judy Hissom noted that while Spring Lake has a lot of festival and boat traffic over the summer, Dr. Rolf’s location is seated in the center of lakeshore activity. 

“There’s marinas on either side of us. There’s a hotel right here, just under the bridge and down the boardwalk from us,” Hissom said. “(Spring Lake) is a summer destination, with a lot of traffic from Grand Rapids, too, as (visitors) head over to the lakeshore. They come right through Spring Lake, so we’re positioned in a really nice central location for those people.” 

While the restaurant hopes to expand into on-site brewing through partnership with a yet-undisclosed local brewery, Hissom is focused, for now, on weathering the summer crowds. 

“It’s been busy, it’s been fun,” she said. 

In addition to Dr. Rolf’s, here’s a snapshot of the Lakeshore dining scene, including restaurants that are newly opened and opening soon, or that have recently closed. 

Openings 

Public Restaurant, 131 E. Main Ave. Zeeland 

After a three-year hiatus, Zeeland’s Public Restaurant is back in business as of June 25. The reopening comes three years after Public’s abrupt closure in 2021, when the building owner announced plans to expand its business into the restaurant space, which never materialized. Owner Lucas Grill said the new Public Restaurant is a “cuter” version of its former self, and will boast a new menu and a full design refresh in the dining space. The restaurant will seat 54 guests for lunch service from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and offer dinner service from 4-9 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. 

Reservoir, 2155 Ottawa Beach Rd., Holland  

Corina and Vasilios Sepsakos, the Grand Rapids restaurateurs behind Brickyard Tavern and Brick and Porter, opened a new concept in the former Ottawa Beach Inn in late May. Reservoir restaurant seats 165 guests for upscale Italian-American fare during the summer and will offer comfort food for locals during the winter months. The restaurant boasts a 2,000-square-foot patio and views of the lake, while a to-go counter offers pizza, sandwiches and other basic menu items. 

Coming soon 

The Vous Cafe, 401 N. 7th St., Grand Haven 

Overcoming Barriers Inc. and the Momentum Center (For Social Engagement) are working together to reopen Grand Haven staple Rendezvous Family Dining under a new name, Vous Cafe. The restaurant will seat approximately 72 people for breakfast and lunch, offering Rendezvous menu favorites “with a twist,” Overcoming Barriers founder Kaja Thornton-Hunter told Crain’s this spring. While Thornton-Hunter hoped to open Vous Cafe in March, the organization has yet to set a grand opening date for the restaurant. 

Happystance, 8 W. Center St., Douglas

New brunch restaurant Happystance is opening soon in Douglas, where co-owners Katie Herbert and chef Patrick Conrade will offer hearty, traditional breakfast fare with vegan options, relying on West Michigan farms to provide produce. The menu will focus on bright, farm-fresh ingredients to make standard breakfast classics and a range of vegetable-focused dishes. While Herbert and Conrade had planned to open the restaurant in May, they have yet to set an opening date, although they have recently started advertising for positions at the location. 

The Dragon and The Mermaid, 415 S. Beechtree St., Grand Haven 

The Unicorn Tavern announced plans in November to add a sister concept, The Dragon and The Mermaid. The tiki bar and barbeque restaurant will be located outdoors in the 6,100-square-foot backyard area and will offer a separate menu from the Belgian-inspired Unicorn. In addition to authentic tiki flavors, the restaurant will feature staple items like burnt ends alongside a variety of sides, sandwiches, burgers and vegan options. The seasonal concept will be open from May to September, and has yet to set a grand opening date. 

Muskegon Brewing Co., 500 Adelaide Circle, Muskegon

Adelaide Pointe, a $250 million marina, luxury condo, hotel and mixed-use project under construction on Muskegon Lake, will include a new restaurant and bar, Muskegon Brewing Co. that the owners expect to open this summer. The new restaurant will revive a pre-prohibition brand that went out of business in 1957 after more than 80 years in operation. Muskegon Brewing partnered with Muskegon’s Pigeon Hill Brewing Co. to produce beer under the brand name. When the restaurant and bar opens, Muskegon Brewing Co. will seat 250 people and offer a view of the lake. The focal point of the restaurant will be its 42-seat curved bar that extends between the 5,500-square-foot restaurant and the 2,700-square-foot patio. An opening date for the new restaurant has yet to be set, but developer Ryan Leestma told Crain’s Grand Rapids Business the pub could open by the end of June. 

Foxtail Coffee, 57 E. 8th St., Holland 

This spring, Baton Collective, the family office for Cheri DeVos Ehmann, announced plans to bring Florida coffee shop franchise Foxtail Coffee to Michigan, starting with locations in Ada and Holland. While the Ada Village Foxtail location opened in late May, construction crews are currently renovating the Holland storefront that was formerly home to Ferris Coffee and before that was known as JP’s Coffee and Espresso Bar. The current owners have yet to announce an opening date for the new coffee shop. Baton Collective Director of Business Operations Sam Nichols said the shop will offer a “craft coffee menu” in addition to light food options like sandwiches. He also anticipates adding beer and wine to the menu in the near future.

Closures 

Crown & Cork Restaurant, 502 W. Loomis St., Ludington 

Ludington waterfront eatery Crown & Cork closed in March after three years in business, citing a lack of profitability during the lakeshore town’s offseason, according to local reports. The restaurant offered a range of classic pub fare and cocktails. Owner Lynda Matson told Mason County Press the decision to close the restaurant was based on several economic factors, noting that “nearly the entire (restaurant) industry is struggling with the same effects of extreme inflation, which means there’s no magic fix.” The restaurant is currently listed for sale. 

Guardian Brewing Co., 3657 63rd St., Saugatuck

After five years in business, Guardian Brewing Co. closed permanently on March 18, as co-owners Kim Collins and Kate Bishop prepared to move out of state to attend to an unforeseen family medical situation. The 12,000-square-foot restaurant and brewery was located in the former Red Barn Theater off Blue Star Highway in Laketown Township. Guardian Brewing had a 1,200-square-foot taproom and restaurant with 24 taps, a 10-barrel brewhouse and a 3,000-square-foot outdoor patio. The brewery is currently listed with Callander Commercial for $1.25 million. 

Beefy’s Burger Shack, 909 W. Savidge St., Spring Lake 

This spring, Spring Lake burger joint Beefy’s Burger Shack closed permanently, according to a report by WOOD-TV8. The owner noted the old building had experienced flooding and major plumbing issues and required ceiling repairs and more. The plan is to tear it down to build something new in the space. The restaurant originally opened as Small Town Sandwich Shop in 2015, rebranding after the pandemic. Beefy’s Burger Shack offered smash burgers, fries, malts and shakes. 

Mermaid Bar & Grill, Baldy’s Smoked Meats, 340 Water St., Saugatuck

Restaurateur Eric Chaitin, owner of Mermaid Bar & Grill and Baldy’s Smoked Meats, which shared a building in downtown Saugatuck, has not reopened either business this year after closing for the season last fall. While neither restaurant has confirmed its closure on social media, both locations are listed for sale. A listing agent with Advantage Commercial Real Estate confirmed to WOOD-TV8 that the restaurants will not be reopening. Mermaid Bar offered outdoor dining only, with a menu of fresh seafood options and a view of the Kalamazoo River. Meanwhile, Baldy’s Smoked Meats offered classic pit-smoked barbeque. Chaitin purchased Mermaid Bar in 2016, and opened Baldy’s Smoked Meats in 2019.