Not sure why this place has a 3 star average. The Cottage Bar is a great local joint. Great people, great food, nice vibe. They close on holidays which I think is awesome. You can tell the management really cares about their staff, and it shows in the great service you receive. Happy employees=happy customers. Go try it out! You won't be disappointed!
Review Source:Most overrated place in Grand Rapids, by far. Â I've been here twice just to make sure that the first time wasn't a fluke. Â It was not. Â Burgers are not great at all. Â If you want a good burger in GR, head to Stella's. Â This place touts its burgers like it's Miller's Bar or something. Â It is not even close. Â Chili is equally disappointing. I make it better myself. Out-of-towners would do best to avoid this place.
Review Source:Came here on a Friday night. The cottage bar is a local joint, and it really gives off a quaint, rustic feel. Â The interior is small and can get crowded. Â It is strange because while you feel cramped, you also feel cozy. Â The food is so-so. The cottage fries are savory and filling, and the burgers/sandwiches are decent. Â The plus about the place is the price and its location. Meals are very affordable and it is within a pleasant walking distance to the art museum, civic theatre, and more.
Review Source:Stopped here for a quick bite to eat with a group of friends before a comedy show. Menu was typical bar kind of food, nothing that jumped right out at me. I ended up with a gyro which was actually pretty good, my expectations were much lower, so I was pleasantly surprised. The burgers looked ok, and the cottage fries were good (I sampled a couple), but nothing really special.
A few of the people in our party were not given the right beer and the waitress gave them a look like they were lying, which was quite puzzling. If it's the wrong beer, and it's handed back to you with 2 sips missing, chances are it is in fact the wrong beer.
I wasn't blown away, and I don't know that I would go back. It was just "eh".
First off there is no way in hell this place has one of the best burgers in MI.  Maybe several years back when they were still pushing out quality ingredients, but now have  become another Sysco chain bar.  Overall the food has gone down hill, other then the chili which seems to stay consistent.  It's not terrible just not what it use to be.
This is good place if your looking for one of the older bars in GR, and it does have a unique throwback  appeal.  The ceiling are low and it feels very dark inside.  It reminds me of a bar in upper Minnesota in the dead of winter.  The bathrooms are just as tight as the kitchen.  It's incredible how they have made this work for so many years.
Last week my boyfriend and I stopped in for a "quick" (a 'little did we know' moment for you) lunch since we were tired of walking and the place was pretty empty. It was one of those alarmingly hot days in March, so we took full advantage and sat out on the cute little patio.
An aging, friendly career waitress, let's call her Brenda, greeted us and said she'd be right back. 15 minutes later, she took our drink & food orders. I went with the nachos, my boyfriend with the "world's best burger" or what the hell ever they claim. 15 minutes later, we get our drinks. 25 minutes later, our food. Our glasses are empty but Brenda scoots away before we can ask for refills.
The nachos are your standard fare--I've got nothing to complain about. The toppings are a plenty, and I'll need help finishing the dish. The burger, however, is the tiniest most pathetic little thing I've ever seen in my life. I asked if it was the best burger he's ever had, and the response I got was a look of utter contempt, furrowed eyebrows and a simple yet effective "Um. No."
By this point, we were in the early stages of dehydration, and Brenda was, I can only assume, taking a cat nap or wanking in the cooler. Eating a plate full of beef in 85 degree weather without a beverage is near torture. I think we got the meat sweats. Not sure. Each minute that crept by, I became a combination of equal parts cranky, delirious and utterly desperate for fluids.
A total of 40 minutes went by until we saw her again. A half hour in, we give her 10 minutes before we complain. She arrives with refills at minute 9. We want the bill. She doesn't come back. We give it 10 more minutes until we grab the manager, and wouldn't you know it, Brenda shows up at minute 9 again! Well played, Brenda. Well played.
From the time we entered to the time we trudged out, nearly 2 hours had passed. If she was busy, I wouldn't mind. But we were 1 of 3-4 tables she had. I say career waitress, because after a while, it became clear she knew just how lazy she could get away with before we complained, and that must take years of experience to master so well.
The cottage Bar was one of my favorite bars in Grand Rapids Michigan when I lived there while going to college. I used to go there after class on occasion with my friends from my apartment complex, for drinks and good bar food. I loved their fried zucchini sticks, mushrooms, and pickles; they are great with any beer you order on tap. My favorite thing about this place was the Hamburgers which were always really delicious and consistently good every time. Â The waitresses and bar tenders are really good people and will treat really well if you treat them with respect.
      It's a great place to go with your best friends and have a good time without having to worry about being too loud. I don't believe you can smoke in any bar anymore in the state of Michigan but it was nice to be able to go somewhere when you could smoke and blow off steam from class. Â
All in all I give this place a 4 out 5.
Visited on Friday night after attending the Auto Show. Â The place was packed but we only had to wait about 30 minutes. Â
We were seated and the Host informed us that because of the place being packed, the kitchen was backed up and apologized for that. Â It was nice to be told this up front and we just expected things to take a little longer. Â I did notice that the kitchen was tiny. Â
It was a good thing we weren't in a hurry. Â It took 10 minutes just for the waitress to get our drinks. Â She apologized for that which helped. Â From then on, she kept our glasses full while we waited for the food.
The food was hot and excellent. Â I had the Blue Burger, which was done to my specifications. Â The cottage fries were diced potatoes which were deep fried and spiced. Â Very good and kind of different. Â My wife really enjoyed the French Dip, which I was really surprised to see it packed with excellent sliced beef. Â She couldn't eat it all. Â Our friends also enjoyed their meal.
Decor was aged as would be expected in an older building. Â It was loud because of being so busy but not overly. Â Things seemed clean. Â Bathrooms were TINY.
Even though it took longer than most people would expect, the food was excellent and we really enjoyed it. Â This is why I am giving them 4 stars.
Like many fellow suckers, I wandered into the Cottage Bar one afternoon because I had read that one of their burgers was voted the best in Michigan. Perhaps I should have considered the source of this accolade: that renowned burger authority *ahem*, USA Today. Trusting USA Today to accurately select the most delicious anything, let alone something that's state-specific, is laughable. In any case, some dart-tossing primate in the employ of USA Today managed to connect with the Cottage Bar, and I guess that makes it worth checking out.
Now, the most important component of a burger, most would agree, is the beef itself. The way it's cooked, seasoned, and the quality of the meat itself all work together to form that crucial foundation, and if this foundation is weak, the entire structure suffers. I ordered mine medium rare, but it was cooked to well done. It's next to impossible to get a burger cooked to an appropriate temp around here, so I'm generally pretty forgiving so long as there's SOME reddish or--at the least--pinkish hue. Here, there was not. Nor was there any discernible seasoning or noteworthy beef flavor. Things were not looking up for the so-called best burger in Michigan.
It came on a rye bun. I'm not fond of sandwiches on rye, but in this case, it was one of the only bright points, if only for its uniqueness. Also thrown on were bacon, green olives, cheese, LT, and hickory mayo--which, as far as I can tell, is a delicate blend of food-service mayonnaise and BBQ sauce.
It was so stunningly unremarkable that I double-checked when I got home to make sure I'd ordered the right thing. It certainly wasn't the worst burger I'd ever had, and I doubt I'd even be criticizing it so harshly were it not for the BEST BEST BEST horn-tooting.
Also, the similarly lauded Cottage Fries are...well, they're fries. C, maybe C+, despite the menu's claim that they're made with "Grade 'A' Michigan potato wedges." I hate to burst your bubble, folks, but there's no such thing as Grade A Michigan potatoes. This claim holds about as much water as it does when you see the term "Fancy" used to describe ketchup. There are, in fact, No.1 and No.2 potatoes, but the difference between them is strictly cosmetic; tastewise, they are identical.
So yeah, next time you're in the mood for some yummy propaganda, stop by!
Dined at Cottage bar with some friends mainly to try the Cottage Bar burger. Unfortunately, I was not happy with the burger. If not for the Cottage Bar fries, I would have rated it 1 star. My idea of a burger is to taste the meat and with the least high-calorie toppings. I found the  Cottage Bar burger to be medium size, heavily smothered with cheese, mayo and whatever else. I could only eat half of it because it was to creamy and rich. If you just like fat and calories then go for it.  Honestly, a McDonalds angus burger would have been much better and bigger. The best burger I've had over the years was from a hole-in-the-wall burger place in Jackson, MI called Schlenkers. I can't say if they still make them the same way as I have not been there for years. Next to that was Big Boy's All American but I understand its not in the menu anymore
GR resturants who claim the best burger in town take heed. The burger meat has to stand out in taste!! Not the sauces nor the condiments.
In spite of this, I still left the waitress a 20% tip as we always do.
I've only been to the Cottage Bar a few times in the past, and it has been a while since I've been back. To my recollection, it is like most other bars, filled with smoke and grease and regret from years gone by. Has it changed, I wonder? Now that smokers are no longer allowed to light up inside, will the environment be more suitable for non-smoking patrons? We open the door and enter a somewhat gloomy and narrow bar area, with booths to one side and tall chairs bellied up on the other. There is an outside patio built into the alley between Cottage Bar and One Trick Pony, but it is too cloudy with the threat of imminent rain. Towards the front of the building is a separate dining room, but the entry is clogged with employees deep in conversation. We choose a booth in the far back, where most other lunchtime diners are seated.
The lack of smoke makes it immediately seem different, though there are undercurrents of cigarettes reeking from the ceiling and walls, like poltergeists hiding in the ether. I still detect the tang of fry grease, but that's why we're here, right? Our waitress brings us two menus, takes our drink order, and departs before we can order our appetizer. She is efficient, perhaps too much so!
When she returns, we put in an order of the Fried Green Beans. Not five minutes go by and they arrive, piping hot. Wow, that was fast! I am beginning to understand that the kitchen and staff are quick. It's not as though they are trying to get rid of us, but their efficiency seems counter-intuitive for a bar. Wouldn't they want you to linger a bit longer, maybe order another beer? The green beans are pretty good, especially when dipped in the Wasabi Ranch dressing, but I'm undecided whether these have been prepared on-premises or if they're bulk food simply dropped into the fryer. The onion batter is almost too consistent, too homogenous. Although they are decent enough, I can't help but feel like I've seen dishes like this at TGI Friday's. However, they do go nicely with my Bell's Oberon.
I am torn between the famous Cottage Burger or the Back Alley Burger, so we decide to order both and split them. Again, they are out in no time, open-faced and perfectly cooked (medium-rare). We divvy up the halves, then dig in. I try the Cottage Burger first, served on a dark rye bun, slathered with green olives, bacon, hickory mayonnaise, Swiss and American cheese, lettuce and tomato. The best thing about this burger is the bun, by far. I am a sucker for rye and this is dark, sweet, and fresh. The consistency of the meat and the toppings are decent. Good, but not great. I add some barbecue sauce, which gives it some much-needed zing.
As for the Back Alley Burger, it is practically tasteless. On a whole grain bun with ham, cheddar, green olives, mayo, sour cream, green onions, lettuce, and tomato, I expected the burger to jump off the plate. I chew into it, expecting something to happen with each bite, but coming back empty. The sour cream is a nice touch, giving it the illusion of being light and fluffy, but it isn't enough to save the burger.
There is only one mainstay dessert on the menu: carrot cake. Thanks to the 1/3 pound burger, I have just enough room. In seconds flat, the waitress brings the plate over with clean forks and extra napkins. She's good. The cake is clearly from a nearby bakery or perhaps even from a grocery store; I would be shocked if it had actually been prepared in the kitchen. There's even a little frosting carrot on top of the slice! Nevertheless, it's tough to screw up carrot cake and this is no exception. We share the dessert; it is moist, sweet, and almost feels like health food after the deep-fried app and beef.
Does Cottage Bar have the best burger in Grand Rapids? Not in my book. Given a choice, I would say O'Toole's holds that distinction, with Ottawa Tavern not far behind. Still, Cottage Bar is a comfortable, smoke-free establishment with decent service and good (but not great) food. It fits the bill if you're in the neighborhood or feel like a blast from the past.
When arriving at the pearly gates... The first question they will ask " Did you ever have a Cottage Burger ? " Â Make sure you can answer YES to this question.
It is an amazing burger... a great place to spend a summer night out on the cozy patio that Dirk Koning (of GRTV/GRCMC) made famous.
I've been here a couple times and it's kind of a nice mom and pops local establishement. the food isn't anything to write home about, but the price is decent and the service isn't a turn off. if you're looking for something to fill your stomach at a price that won't empty your pocket it's a good place.
I also like that they have a no cell phone policy. Â In that you aren't allowed to talk on your phone while inside the restaurant, focus on the company your with is a fantastic policy.
Cottage bar - institution, you know it's been around awhile - we ate outside on the little patio, which is nice, but everyone inside and outside was smoking. Â YUK. Â
Salads are big and a good value, the olive burger was tasty, and of course, the fries are perfect. Â Great burger+patio-too much smoking = try it again later.
It's OK, but I agree that it probably doesn't deserve it's stellar reputaion. Â It's not a bad place, and was probably a cut above when GR didn't have anything more unique than Mr Fables, but now I think it's just average. Â The food is good, but there's lots of good food around. Â The atmosphere (?) is nothing special. Â Don't get me wrong-it's an OK place, but some folks think it's the second coming of pub food. Â I just don't think it's all that.
Review Source:This is perhaps the most overrated bar/restaurant in Grand Rapids. Â The burgers are good but not that big. Â Since you have to pay extra for "fries" (cubes of potato), it ends up seeming overpriced. Â The drinks are also a little overpriced. Â I've been here 6 or 7 times and I've noticed that if you don't know the owner, you get subpar service.
Review Source:The Cottage Bar is a very relaxed place to grab a few, whether you're starting the night off or grabbing last call.
The $2.25 PBR Tall Boys can not be beat. The Bleu Cheese Bacon Burger with Cottage Fries is one of the best bar burgers I've had. Make sure you start off with the Potato Nachos w/ bacon.
The only downside is that its a tiny place so it gets crowded quick and it can become quite smokey.
This place was a staple for my family and I when I went to school in GR.
Very calm atmosphere (don't be fooled by the slight diviness of this place). The seat by the fire is so great: here with my folks and beer is all you need.
The food is great too. Good burgers, especially like the tuna burger. Great fries. Even tasty salad.
Try to avoid the seat that is right by the bathroom. Nasty.
This place fills up around lunch and dinner so be careful, especially if you go with a group or before a Griffins game.
One of the only reasons I would e-v-e-r visit GR again would be for a beer and a burger at the Cottage.
The Cottage is one of few places in GR that  I crave/miss.  Oddly enough, since I moved to Chicago 5 years ago I've become a 'fishetarian' so the only thing I really crave is the cottage fries with smoky sauce!  When I lived there and ate meat, oh that Cottage Burger did right by me!  I also love the service, the beer, and the fact that I'm always with friends when I go there.
Review Source:The Cottage is awesome! Â I've whiled away many hours here over great burgers and beer.
The clientele is very diverse, even though sometime's its referred to as an "old man bar". Â (It's never meant derisively, though.) Â There's lots of people from different backgrounds, ages, races, etc. Â You can tell there's been a core group of regulars that have been coming around for a long time.
The Cottage Burger is great and the Reubens are also excellent.
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