In town recently while on vacation and stopped by for a beer based on a recommendation of the hotel and the recent reviews. Â I have to say my experience, unfortunately, was not positive.
Place was busy. Â Nice atmosphere. Â So, maybe my experience is not the norm.
Bartender Service poor - ignored me for 15 minutes while serving/ talking to others.  Seemed preoccupied with one group (maybe friends??) at the end of the bar.  When served, I ordered the Keweenaw Golden Ale (4.4% - 4.8%).  In one word  - awful.  Tasted skunky.  Or if it was supposed to be brewed that, it's not my taste.  I couldn't finish it.  So, I decided to go down the block to the Keweenaw Brewery Taproom.  (OK - I probably was going there anyway)
Rating 2. Â Disappointing. Â This was supposed to be one of the best places in town.
This place is as bipolar as it gets for dining experiences. I'v had a few decent experiences(mostly when I go just for the beer), but I've finally hit a wall on negative anecdotes that I no longer give them my business and encourage everybody I know to stay clear and go someplace more worthy of their money like Michigan House(best beer and burger in the UP). I'll try to summarize some of the mentioned anecdotes here:
I once asked for a medium rare burger, came overdone after nearly an hour of waiting and after pointing it out, I was asked to please just take it or I would have to wait long again. Prepare yourself for long waits unless you're there for the soup and sandwich lunch deal. I've never gotten a hot entree that took less than 40 minutes to an hour and a half to come out.
I was with a group of friends(about 6 people) and we all got burgers, either their $7.50 tier or their $7.99 tier and either normal fries or sweet potato fries(they charge extra for each kind).The waitress(after neglecting us on refills, etc all evening) took 5 attempts and about 40 min before she got everyone's checks correct except for mine, after profusely refusing to write it down at my insistence at attempt number 3. I got a $7.50 burger and she was trying to charge me for the $7.99 one. I asked her if she could fix it and just get right and she asked me to just take it out of her tip. I relented, and gave her the 49 cent tip that she didn't earn.
I went in for lunch one day for happy hour drinks during a snow day. My friends and I all got the sampler and a couple pints. There was hardly anybody there and we waited nearly fifteen minutes for even our waters to get there as we watched our waitress stand around talking with coworkers and then leaving for a smoke break. We grabbed another waitress and asked if we could at least get waters or our beers or something to wet our whistles, but rather than helping out simply told us that she would be certain to inform our waitress(who was on smoke break). Is there no camaraderie or sense of serving the customers between the staff here?
tl;dr- This place uses being the only modern restaurant in the area as a way to lure people and what they say goes. Customer is second, they get business no matter what. Given my experiences, I'm convinced they just take on anybody as a server as there is no standard for customer service.
Can be sort of hit or miss. The food and the beers are pretty good but the service can range from really friendly and helpful to downright rude and (as strange as it sounds for Houghton) elitist and snobby.
One other thing about the Library--while they do brew their own beer and advertise themselves as a brew pub--they are much more of a restaurant than pub. So, if you are expecting to visit a place like Founders (in Grand Rapids, MI) or the Ale Asylum (in Madison, WI) you are going to be disappointed. Not that the Library is bad...but the atmosphere is more family-friendly than pub-like. Great view though!
After having several decent experience here in the past, my visit last weekend was pretty bad.
First, they were out of 2 beers. This happens to brew pubs all the time, but when you're marketing your Oktoberfest for only a week and then run out of it, that's pretty bad. Being from Chicago, I might be expect this from places by me, but obviously Houghton (and the surrounding area) are not Chicago. Either the brew-master didn't make a whole lot or thousands of people from all over the Midwest drove to Houghton and cleaned them out...I'm gonna go with the latter. After getting turned down on beer, I asked for the pretzel appetizer, which was also part of the Oktoberfest menu. To my surprise this item too was not available. According to the bartender, they never received the pretzels....Maybe this was a good sign, as I assumed they were made and cooked on site.
Second, after the second strike, I decided to just go ahead with a burger and fries.... Â What came out was a slightly larger White Castle slider. The meat was barely thick enough to be classified as a burger and barely took up the entire space on the bun. I don't know why they bothered asking me how I wanted it done, it was gray and dry in the middle anyway.
Third, between his frequent absenteeism and snotty attitude, the bartender wasn't exactly employee of the year. When I first walked in and told him I'd like an Oktoberfest, he responded with "so would I". Â
The trip wasn't a total loss, their Whiteout Wheat and Miners IPA were excellent, but I would probably eat else.
The Library is our routine favorite restaurant in the area. Â They have a wide variety of flavorful entrees to appeal to differing tastes, ranging from pizzas and burgers to seafood/fish and a handful of Indian, Mexican and Asian offerings. Â Flavor/taste can be spotty, depending on what you order (I will never again order their Mexican foods because the flavors are just 'wrong' to me--not bad--just not what I associate with Mexican). But, overall, we have very good food 85% of the time. Our kids love their mini pizzas and my husband practically lives on growlers of their beer that he brings home. The service can be slow at times and we've learned which servers to avoid; however, it hasn't stopped us from going back every other week!
Review Source:To start, the atmosphere of this place is great! It's a fun place to bring a guest because of the unique decor, however as a resident, my fiance and I really don't go much. But the views can't be beat, and as I grew up in Milwaukee, it's kinda cool to see all the brewing equipment on display.
For beer aficionados, they do have a "beer sampler" which you can get which is a nice way to try their different brews without getting tanked. Also, in our case, he is a major beer aficionado, and I generally dislike beer, so it was nice to have me be able to try a sip of their different beers without committing to a huge pint I might hate.
It's a little on the pricey side, although on Tuesdays it is the only place I know of to find sushi, and it's a kinda unique take on sushi, with things like red peppers in it. The first sushi night we went to it was awesome, the last time it was kinda disappointing, so it seems to be a little hit and miss. The burgers are pretty good, and I do like their feature to pay with a smartphone app, although as my wireless carrier was being stupid, I didn't get try it out, since it's pretty new.
Overall, its a nice place to try once in a while or to treat guests to, but a little too pricey for make a regular date night place for graduate students.
Thoughtfully located a block and a half from KBC it has the same wonderful view of the hills from it's dining room. A neat, high-ceilinged room with scads of books on shelves, on top of dividers, and in niches I found the food, although inconsistent through the same order, more relevant than the beer. I did like the Rye Ale but found most brews just lacking in character. The Nut Crusted Walleye was really good (and who can beef about a 10-12 oz. portion for $15?) but the salad was watery with weak dressing and the sweet potato fries were limp and luke-warm. Get the plates (in their entirety) up to snuff and give me some punch from the tap to match the service and the room.
Review Source:We took an extended boat trip into Lake Superior last year and checked out every brew pub along the way. This year we extended the trip by land and we had to come back to The Library. Because this one was a stand out. Food excellent. Beer excellent. And still it's the kind of the place that a college kid can take parents. Since it was move-in weekend, there were a lot of parents in The Library. The only thing is that if you do that you've given away your secret. Up to you, I guess.
Review Source:The Library has so much potential, but it fails. Â The food is pretty good, the beer is good, the place is usually clean (except for the bathrooms- gross!) but the service is awful! Â We've gone there many times, each time I keep hoping that it will be better, and we leave pissed off because the servers are so bad.
Review Source:Our first time at the Library was sad. Â Service was slow, soup and entree salads were mediocre, burger was charred leather. Â We waited almost an hour for our food, with little attention from our waitress. Â As we sat waiting, famished, the waitress finally arrived with our meals and promptly dumped the whole tray on the floor and me. Â So another 20 minutes of waiting.
No apolopgy, no offer to compensate us for this lousy experience, nothing. Â When our daughter attends MTU, we'll skip the Library when we visit Houghton 6 times a year for five years. Â So will our friends.
I was bummed that I did not get to try their IPA (they were able to provide me with Bells Hopslam in lieu of this which was a major plus as I have NEVER seen it on tap before) but I did try a flight of their beers and I have to say that they were all pretty solid. Â They had eight total of their own on tap at the time along with several other craft beers from around the state.
The food was good and the price seemed right for slightly upscale establishment as this place was trying to portray. Â I had the Shrimp Poor Boy with onion rings. Â It came with a cajun aioli on it on a fresh loaf of bread.
Our waiter was excellent and very knowledgeable about the beers and food on the menu. Â I essentially let him guide me through my order as I like to do in new places because who should know what is best on the menu other than the staff and he did just that.
I will probably stop in here one last time before heading home, and should I be back this far up in the UP again, it will be on the list of places to venture to again.
The food's good, but a little too expensive for me. Â Their beer is excellent, though. Â I'm a big fan of grabbing a sampler, and deciding which one I'm going to take home in a growler. Â My parents (MTU grads) love talking about how the Library used to be: dive bar with great pizza, and although they also like the beer, they're disappointed by how expensive the place is now. Â I agree. Â I might have been a wee lass when the original burned down, but I have always known good pizza. Â :)
Review Source:This place is tucked away off the main street, over looking the water. Â Came here for lunch while visiting Michigan Tech. Â
Staff was friendly and there was a bit of a wait, but if you're not in a hurry then its ok. Â
The decor by the bar was, unsurprisingly, much like a library. Â Books everywhere. Â In the back, pub-like, big booths and big windows. Â Lots of brick and dark wood. Â
I had the flounder dish, and it was pretty amazing. Â I hadn't eaten it in years and picked it almost immediately. Â A tad salty though, but would have it again. Â Surprisingly they also had an Indian dish. Â Hubby ordered that and said it was good and spicy, but different in the fact that the chicken didn't taste like it had been marinated like usual Indian food. Â Still good.
Military discount for those it applies! Â Would go again.
I had my first date ever with my husband here, so it's kind of special. Although on that particular night I didn't care for my food. We didn't go back for about a year, but when we did it was much better! I loved a pasta dish, but I can't remember which one.
Tip: Tech students get a discount!
No complaints. Service for our table was fine, but a couple near us were obviously less than pleased with the service so sounds like it could be hit or miss there. Food for both of us was good but nothing remarkable. A lady who seemed to be the manager stopped by to ask about the meal, so a bonus point there.
Will probably go back when I'm back in town again.
It's funny, I'm not a huge fan of cold weather and northern climes, however, I always look forward to going to Houghton, and The Library is one of our standard stops. The food is fine and they have some good fish on the menu, however prices are a little above what I'm used to paying at home. With that, I've never had a bad meal or substandard service, and I've really enjoyed the Michigan beers. The view out of the north side of the building overlooks a parking lot and the water, it's nice as well. Not "postcard spectacular", but well, I just like being around water and the scenery is fine up here.
Review Source:Vegetarians: Â you have to pay for meat even though you ask for beans or cheese instead. Â They don't even list vegetarian entrees in the Mexican section! Â Please! Â Don't charge us veggies for meat! Â
Under salads on the menu, there is a note: Â to paraphrase: Â 'a salad can be vegetarian, just ask to skip the meat!' Â Very unaccommodating. Discouraging because its the hippest place in Houghton/Hancock. Â I guess that isn't saying much, is it.
Service is staggaringly slow. Â Its unbelievable that we could order and have at least an hour go by, when the place was not 20% full when we ordered. Â Also it is common for other tables that order after us, get served first.
Update on the vegetarian entree. Â I complained about paying for meat this time, and they took $1-2 off. Â Why do I have to ask? Â Put it on the menu. Â Please put vegetarian entrees (bean enchiladas) on the menu. Â Its really not fun being singled out in a group, to stand up for what I get at any restaurant in a town bigger than Houghton. Â Small town, place can do whatever they want. Â ALso makes me think they never eat at anywhere other than local places. Â Go out, try big city restaurants, then come back and retype your menu. Â Get more kitchen and serving staff.
MENU UPDATE: Â This place used to have "international night" on Thursday nights and sushi night on Tuesdays. Â Now they've done away with International night (Indian food) and only serve one or 2 Indian dishes that only the server knows about, its not on the menu!
We had a very nice experience here one night. Food was nothing to write home about, but enjoyable.
During our next visit, we were met with the rudest waitress I have ever come across, and ended up leaving before we even ordered. I had heard the service could be really horrible, so I guess we weren't that surprised. Will definitely not go back.
The Library is the best it gets in the area. Not many places in the Keweenaw run their business like the Library does, blue color sophisticated.
The food has ALWAYS been great.
The steaks are cooked perfect every time.
Gorgonzola steak pasta, OMG the best! A must try!
Strawberry Poppy Walnut salad, YUM!
Salads are always fresh and good!
Wide selection of beer and wine selection.
The atmosphere is beautiful. LOVE the scenery on a summer night or on a mid winters day.
Always clean and the food presentation is great.
***Wait staff,...well, a bit dull. Most of the time pretty slow...sometimes have to remind them of to bring your soup...but if you have the time, patients with dull staff, and not in a rush the food makes up for them, I promise!!
A very good brew pub with excellent beer, a view and a diverse menu. I didn't try the sushi because I just couldn't figure out how it could have gotten there and still be fresh. Â But the soup is great and the food is pub fare plus. Â Nice decor, too. True to the Keewenaw yet updated.
Review Source:One of my favorite places in the area. The food is really good and the beer is okay. I would keep going back just because of the owner/manager. She seems like she is always there and makes it a point to always come around and make sure everything is going well. The fried mushrooms are my favorite thing.
Review Source:My wife and I used to go to the Library quite often. The food was good, nothing spectacular, but they have a good selection. Well, the last time we were there we placed an order for a couple of sandwiches, after waiting a least 30 minutes we asked the waiter what the problem was, he came back and informed me that they had dropped my sandwich on the floor in the kitchen. We were then offered free drinks but since we were just drinking water we declined. After waiting another 20+ minutes with no further explanation from the waiter and since he was nowhere in sight, we decided we were probably not going to get our food and left hungry. I could have understood a delay if they were busy but there were very few people there. They may have thought we were tourists but we live in the area. There are some very good restaurants in the Houghton area so we will probably not go to the Library again. I hope you have better luck if you decide to eat there. An awful experience that we have never encountered before in our life.
Review Source:This is my favorite in the Houghton/Hancock area. Great place!
I enjoyed Tuesday night sushi and the Ahi tuna double size appetizer. Beers are great. Their IPA was fantastic. Great pour on an Oban, single malt scotch, neat. So good, that I bought the bar staff a round.
I was in town 3 nights and went their twice. Should have gone all 3 nice.
Oh, and I like the music they play at the bar as well as the waitstaff. Â Very cozy place. They sell growlers too!
So, recently I've had a couple of different sets of friends in town and I've ended up at the Library twice in the last week. Both times the service left a lot to be desired and both times my order ended up wrong.
The first time my friend and I ordered burgers... and both showed up incorrect. This was after my friend double checked with the waitress to make sure she had written his order down correctly.
The second time I ordered a pasta without olives. It shows up with olives. The corrected order shows up without the garlic bread. Then it by the time two slices of garlic bread make it my way I'm pretty much done with the entree. Then I was never asked if I wanted a refill on my drink, and we were only provided one mini pitcher of water for almost nine people...WTF!
I've never been impressed by the service at the Library, and the food has never been exceptional, but it's usually pretty decent. However, after this recent stint I am going to think twice about going out to eat there.
Although I think they've done a great job decor-wise, the Library's food needs re-vamping. Their wide variety (Chinese, Southwest, fish, chicken, pasta, burgers, steak, etc.) means that they aren't working to specialize in one food genre. Not a horrible place to eat; some menu items aren't half bad. However, I'd love to see them create some new, flavorful, original dishes.
Review Source:My favorite restaurant destination in the U.P. Â The food I have had has always been very good and at a fair price, just wish they would have more local stuff. Â But you know as a visitor I want to see more whitefish because I can get tuna all the time but I am sure that if I lived in Houghton I would get sick of whitefish all the time and tuna would be a nice change.
The big plus is this is also a brewpub and they have some very good beer and usually a good variety. Â The growlers are also very reasonably priced.
I like the decour of all the books. Â A good place to relax check out the scenery and have a few brews.
This place used to be one of my favorite dining destinations in Houghton. It burned down in '95, and re-opened a year later. It's got its own brewery, full bar, and full dining services.
It has a variety of brews. Most are pretty good, tho' the quality and consistency can be hit-or-miss. It sometimes has import specials. Once they had this Norwegian "Aass" (pronounced Ohhs) beer. Been looking all over Chicago for it. Does anyone know of a pub or liquor store that has it??
The food menu has the standard stuff: appetizers, salad, soup, sandwiches, pasta. For entree, you can find plenty of freshwater fish. The entrees are not bad, but not spectacular either. Speaking of soup, it sometimes has the Manhattan clam chowder. Yummy.
One of my favorite dishes there is the apple dumpling dessert. It's ice-cream and caramel on top of a small crusty apple pie.
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