The Chuckwagon

Breakfast at the Chuckwagon was interesting and delicious. We sat at the counter-seating is limited-and watched the cook at close range navigate the small space with expertise. He literally could reach behind his back for plates and everything else was a symphony of movement and efficiency. He worked the flattop like a conductor leading the band. Great place to hear the locals talk about the latest remodeling project and the fight at a local bar. Quite entertaining. Menu prices very reasonable by island standards. Short and to the point breakfast listings. The Chuckwagon Special-two eggs, toast, hashbrowns, choice of meats-was the choice of DW this visit. And it was perfect. Eggs, ham, and potatoes delicious. My choice was a little more on the sweet side. French toast made with cinnamon swirl bread and topped with cream cheese filling and mixed berries with a serving of sausage links. The French Toast was an amazing combination of flavors and sweetness. Really scrumptious. If you enjoy a sweet start to the day, don’t skip this. A highly recommended spot to start the day.

We ate lunch here upon the suggestion of our kayak tour guide. He said they had the best burgers on the island. I don't know if they are, but they were very good. The place is a diner and VERY small. However, we got a table as soon as we walked in. It was warm inside and cramped, but the service was friendly and quick. The guy in charge, possibly the owner, had a Bengals hat on and we immediately said "Who Dey" because we live in Cincinnati. He responded the same so I felt we had a little bond with the place. I had the Who Dey burger, which was a burger cooked on the flattop with pulled pork, onion rings, slaw, and a sweet sauce. It was very messy but yummy. My wife had the Blue Cheese burger and enjoyed every last bite. Their fries are non-traditional because they are cut in rounds on a spiralizer. They were excellent.

Hidden Gem for Breakfast Lovers Review: If you’re in the mood for a breakfast spot that’s all about great food over fancy decor, this is the place. On the main drag, this little diner is pure comfort—a no-frills, casual joint with just a few tables, the aroma of coffee, and a kitchen that feels close enough to be home. The menu is straightforward, but everything is made fresh and with care. I tried the classic eggs, bacon, and pancakes combo, and every bite was just perfect. The pancakes were fluffy and golden-brown, the eggs cooked to order, and the bacon was crispy without being overdone. They also serve excellent coffee—strong and just what you need to kick off the morning. The best part? The prices are reasonable, especially for the quality and portions. Service is friendly, fast, and personal; the staff made me feel like a regular on my first visit. Just a heads-up: seating is limited, so get there early if you can. If you’re after a fancy setting, this might not be your spot. But if you’re here for the food, friendly service, and a laid-back vibe, this hole-in-the-wall is a breakfast lover’s dream.

It's one of those comfy food places, a place with no frills, but reliably good breakfast. Centered right in the middle of the main strip, this place can get crowded but offers great food at a good price. I wouldn't recommend a big group. There is bar top seating and smaller tables.

Excellent burgers and fries in an amazing little restaurant. Eat at the counter or at a few tables. Comes highly recommended by the locals. The owners are friendly and outgoing. We recommend coming early as they fill up very quickly. Take-out available.

Black Russian sandwich and mushroom burger were delicious. Liked the coleslaw. Didn’t care for the pickles. Nothing fancy. Nice waitress. Fast service. We would gladly go back when looking for a quick lunch.

I always do my research before a visit. Chuckwagon did not disappoint. We had the Blue cheese burger and Mushroom & Swiss served on their pretzel bun. They were both fresh and juicy right off the grill. The burgers were excellent. Service was quick and we were able to grab a table as soon as we walked in. We were checked on a few times during our visit. Would highly recommend if you want an excellent burger while on Mackinac Island!

NOTE: CASH ONLY Best Burger on the island! We had a cheeseburger and it was delicious! Served on a pretzel bun, it was perfectly cooked, prepared quickly and served with a smile. The owners have been here for 16 years and run a fabulous business. A definite yes for a quick lunch on the island!

Love love the Chuck Wagon! We eat here every time we are on the island. The staff are friendly and so very efficient. The food is good and the prices , while island prices, are fair. I had the cheeseburger and my husband had the Aloha Burger, mine was good his was amazing! It was $19.00 for the specialty Aloha burger and an up charge of $4 for fries.

Really solid burger at a shocking price. $14 for a plain cheeseburger, + 70c for every extra add, so we thought we might as well order a special with toppings and condiments for closer to $16-17. Rattlesnake and olive burgers were both fantastic, but on the smaller side and served with basic Lays chips. We couldn't justify adding fries for $4 each. The Chuckwagon might be a better spot for breakfast - or just might be another case of Mackinac sticker shock.

We enjoyed it. It was a great kickstart to our day on the island. It was busy as to be expected, but we did not wait too long and they were able to process customers in a timely manner.

Great burgers! I tried the PB & J burger- don't let the habanero jelly scare you, it was very low heat and just a FANTASTIC flavor. The peanut butter was very subtle and it all came together to make just a delicious burger. My husband got your classic cheese burger and rated is a solid burger that he would eat again. We upgraded to fries and they were thin, not too salty and just great. The restaurant is pretty small with some seats along the wall, a few tables in the very back and some bar seating.

I'll say it...it's overhyped. Great price, but it's super basic food for what you get. I got the ham omelette with toast. The omelette was basic with the ham. The ham was incredibly salty. Cheese slices were processed cheese. The toast didn't taste fresh or good for that matter. Glad we tried it, but definitely not coming back for breakfast

Are you kidding?! Ran into here randomly during a rainstorm and we were the only two people in there. Staff was kind and made us the most delicious cheeseburgers! One of our favorite spots to eat on the island

The island is expensive but this place is great on your wallet!!! My hamburger and French fries were so good! My significant other got the patty melt and he said it was a tasty treat as well. The fries were crispy and the coke to drink was on point. Not everyone wants a fine dining experience and this greasy spoon was what we wanted! Felt like real life Bob's Burgers!

Small little hamburger joint with a free cooking show ! Great spot for lunch! We dined in for lunch on a Monday in July! Surprisingly, there was no wait! We sat at the counter and we were immediately waited on. We split a cheeseburger with fries. The burger is served on a pretzel bun. The fries are standard frozen fries. Nothing special about the fries. The burger had good flavor and texture. The burgers are prepared in front of you on a flat top! The burger and fry show is legit! The service is great! The food comes out fast! This is a no frills experience! Just good burgers with good service!

What a vibe!!! I loved this place. For being such a touristy island, the place gave a sense of home town camaraderie. Everyone knew everyone and we just loved the whole experience. The food was good and the service was even better! I loved that there was a daily trivia/riddle. I would definitely go back!

Wow!! This is a must stop when in town. We actually came here two days in a row because it was so delicious. I absolutely loved the Aloha burger but everyone loved their food. Definitely try it!!

Don't miss this gem. The breakfast was amazing and the best deal in town. We heard the burgers were equally fantastic but were so full from breakfast didn't get a chance to try.

My pancakes were absolutely amazing. Service was quick and friendly. Free coffee . My husband's breakfast burrito was just average. Nothing exciting but it wasn't horrible either.

The best burger and fries, fast and friendly service. I have wanted to eat here, but the lines were always long. We walked right in today with no wait, as it is the beginning of the season.

The Chuckwagon is a classic! Delicious breakfast prepared super quick while the restaurant was packed. Efficient fun wait staff.

In the span of 2 days on Mackinaw Island, we came to eat here 3 times (two times for lunch and once for breakfast)! The absolute best spot on the island for an affordable, consistently good meal. There's usually a short line out the door at peak times, but do not be intimidated as it moves faster than you would think! This is because the cooks move incredibly fast and it feels like the food is often ready within 10-15 mins of ordering. I recommend the cheeseburger deluxe with all of the extra toppings! Please note that the chuckwagon burger does not have cheese on top, so you have to specifically order the cheeseburger if you want that as a topping.

We ordered a cheeseburger and fries and told the waitress we'd split it ourselves as we saw a $3 split fee. She brought a a very small but tasty burger that wasn't even cut in half which was fine. She brought an extra plate and a knife. When we got the check, we asked about the $3 split fee. She said the owner makes them add it. The people at the counter next to us had the same issue. We both had no choice but to not tip. Management: please don't do this to people.

Always great food and service. A small little hole in the wall but a must try when on the island!

Great, cozy little place! My wife had the corn beef and eggs, and it was delicious! Cozy little place right on Main Street. Excellent, friendly service!

The best thing about this restaurant was the music. They played banger after banger. I suppose this establishment would be good for the with simple taste buds. However, for those who enjoy a more complex, sophisticated taste, I would keep on moving. Staff was friendly. This place is very chill. It gives diner vibes.

Wanted to get a quick but good breakfast in b4 we started our day. This was the perfect place. Very tiny. They have maybe five 2 toppers... Then counter seating for maybe 10? We arrived a little after 8 and had to wait outside for about 5 minutes. By 8:40 there was a line outside so come early. It is a no frills establishment with a one pager menu. I ordered eggs over medium, crisp bacon, toast and hash browns. Everything came out perfectly done. Hubbie ordered the corned beef plate and it was yummy - not overly salty. Service was very good and quick. Tips: 1. Come early! 2. Don't sit right next to the door of you can help it... Especially in cold October. 3. Come hungry!

Mackinac Island was one of my favorite destinations as a child. I don't recall the restaurants being that good as a kid (although who needs lunch when you can sample fudge all day), but they've certainly gotten better in past years. We originally tried to go somewhere a bit fancier, but everything had a long wait. And so we ended up with 3 hangry kids at Chuckwagon. Chuckwagon ended up being the perfect lunch spot because it was quick and tasty - cheeseburgers are one of the few foods that my all 5 members of my house will eat. + fries of course. The staff who work here was fun and engaging and got our tummies filled fast. While the atmosphere wasn't quite as nice as what we had originally planned everyone left full and with a big smile...and ready to sample more fudge.

As always it was simply wonderful. I think this was my third or fourth visit back to the Chuckwagon and it never disappoints - burgers and fries were delicious and despite the tight space in the dining area they seated our party of seven in just a few minutes and the food came out unbelievably quickly. I definitely recommend visiting every time you're on the island.

Great diner on the island. We had breakfast here before leaving the island and it was exactly what we were looking for. Quick service, good food, reasonable prices. I had French toast and my friend had the breakfast burrito. The bacon with my French toast was exactly how I like it - nice and crispy. We were able to snag a spot without waiting but there was a short line outside when we left. Also, they close for an hour between breakfast and lunch times, FYI.

After seeing such great reviews we decided to go get in line to try them out. I popped my head in to see if we needed to check in and the next woman in the line went "hey! The line is back there!" Calm down woman, I see the line, just didn't know if we had to check in! We get to the end of the line and after a few minutes this gent comes behind us in the line. He asks us if this place is any good, he'd heard it was the best on the island. I responded we didn't know, it was our first time. He said he appreciates us being there - and he was the owner! Ha! The folks ahead of us called us through, there was room for two at the counter so we went in. This place is crammed y'all. If you have luggage it's a VERY tight spot. Shoulder to shoulder at the counter, so you really have no room for luggage. Service is friendly, and I ordered the Reuben while hubby ordered the club. Cam's club was ok, but it'd be a sad day if you messed that up. I barely ate mine. The flavor was fine, but if you're going to pile on a ton of slaw onto the sandwich, you need a thicker, firmer bread for it. The bread was falling apart before I could even get the dressing on it. Two attempted bites and I quit and just ate the pickle slices and chips.

We went to Chuckwagon for breakfast first thing in the morning and were able to get a table for two right away. We did however watch a family of six have a meltdown as they were trying to wait for a table for their group. Once we got inside, we learned that the family was going to have quite the wait as the restaurant is not built for large groups. It is kind of crazy to bring a big group here. We got our favorite of hashbrowns, bacon, and eggs and were very happy with the quality of the food and the service. The hashbrowns were cooked to nice crispiness, the eggs were perfect and the bacon was cooked to perfection. The team here works together in such a tight space. Part of the value of coming here to eat is to watch the well-choreographed dance that happens behind the counter to be able to serve the customer. This is one of those places where if you are sitting you should be eating. If you want to sit and chat with someone, plan on going to and get a coffee when you are through with breakfast.

We went to the Chuckwagon in a recommendation from our horse wagon driver. Excellent food and so much fun. Would go back in a heatbeat

I am not exaggerating. My wife and I just spent 36 hours on Mackinac Island. When people ask me what my favorite thing about Mackinac Island is I will tell them breakfast at Chuack Wagon. The food was delicious, prepared by two guys who were working so smoothly they might as well have been dancing. The same goes for the servers and the guy on dish. All with a friendliness that is unmatched on the island in my opinion. Oh yeah, the food. My wife had eggs and toast but I had the corned beef hash. Wow! Just Wow!!

Really cute, fun tiny diner. We loved sitting at the bar with the swivel stools. Food was good. Only complaint is they didn't tell us their credit card machine wasn't working and I had to wander the street for 20 minutes to find cash. Would be a courtesy to tell people upfront or post a sign. Overall, we liked it.

Staff was very helpful and friendly. Food was excellent. Recommend breakfast here. The pretzel rolls were amazing.

Nice contrast to some of the pricier breakfast option. We sat at the counter and the cook entertained and joked my kiddo after the breakfast rush. Solid food (biscuits and gravy + toast and sausage for the kid) and reasonable price. Staff was friendly and service was quick. It's a small space, but worth it if there's room!

Great restaurant, don't miss it. If it's busy it's a quick wait, breakfast, lunch and dinner. They've been open at night this year we noticed.

Old school belly up to the bar breakfast. Very quick to be seated. The 4 of us sat at the counter. Greeted with a smile and the coffee arrived right after. We ordered eggs, pancakes and some blueberry pancakes. Very solid tasting breakfast. It's a must visit on the island.

This is the smallest Chuckwagon I've been to, but still a great place for breakfast. You can't go wrong with a $9 Chuckwagon special (2 eggs, toast, hashbrowns, and choice of ham, bacon or sausage, and a cup of coffee). The $8 Cheese Cake French toast is a must have! It's sweet, fruity and delicious. ....| \ _ , , , - - , , _ , .../ , ` . - ' ` ' . _ \ - ; ; ; , _ ..| , a - ) ) _ . ; . ( ` - ` - ' - ' ' - - - ' ' ( _ / . _ ) - ' ( _ \ _ ) 2019

Delicious burgers with a pretzel bun. I had the olive burger, which is thing on the island. Good service & chips

As soon as we got off our ferry we bee lined to Chuckwagon for breakfast and I guess the rest of the passengers had the same thought. The line was long and seating for a family of five in the smaller diner was harder to come by. We decided to take our food to go and eat by the water at the picnic tables that had a great view of Biddle Point. Our waitress who took our order was fast, sweet, and helpful. The diner was packed and extremely busy. That is usually a good sign. The flapjacks have a super cool peace sign stamped on them. The flapjacks and cinnamon french toast weren't as flavorful as we hoped therefore butter and syrup definitely helped. The beef corn hash looked as if it was made from scratch and it was pretty decent for what it was. Overall, if you're looking for a good hearty American breakfast before you bike or hike all over the island Chuckwagon is as good as any.

This is a small gem on Main Street. With a couple tables for four, maybe 8 tables for two, and a dozen bar stools at the counter, this place makes great use of its space. We had a very quick, but excellent breakfast, one with cinnamon bread French toast, the other, a standard egg, sausage, toast breakfast. Cinnamon French toast was excellent as was the standard fare. We ordered, we're served, and out in 20 minutes. Wonderful place to stop when your alternative is the sad hotel continental breakfast, or the super expensive restaurants on the island.

We hah some great burgers and the service was excellent. Nothing fancy, just quick and tasty for hungry tourists.

Food was made quickly and staff very attentive! We will definitely return next time we're at Mack Is. Good job Chuck Wagon!

We recently had our 5-day family reunion on Mackinac Island, MI with 20 people. One of our evening dinners was catered by John, the owner of the Chuckwagon on Mackinac Island. We gave John a list of 20 individual orders and he asked what time we would like it delivered. Promptly at 7:30pm that evening John came riding up on his bike with a half dozen bags of food with each order individually wrapped, and also brought several extra baskets of fries. That dinner was the hit of our reunion. Everybody raved about the food, and the fact that they would deliver our dinner, which was about a half mile away from the restaurant. I can't say enough or thank you enough to John and his great crew for going over and above with the delivery for our fantastic dinner I might add that we eat there every time we are on the island.

We loved this place and arlte breakfast here every day we were on the island. Simple breakfast food but done perfectly. The BLT was one of the best we've ever eaten.

BEST BREAKFAST ON THE ISLAND! We ALWAYS stop here for either breakfast or lunch! Today's Chuckwagon Special was perfect! See you next time!

This is a great little burger joint! Don't let the line out the door or the small space deter you, this place is hustling inside, and the tables turn quickly! We all had burgers they were EXCELLENT!! The service is incredible for serving inside and making orders to go too!

Fun atmosphere, attentive service, fast and delicious food, waitresses were dancing to the music and very upbeat creating a very positive ambiance and wanting to go back.

Chuckwagon is a teeny, tiny place offering some AMAZING food at incredibly low prices considering the racket most places on Mackinac Island. It is literally a long counter on one side with two tops on the wall and two larger tables in the back. This is NOT the place for a large party. We had 5 people at a big table and 2 people at a nearby small table. It worked but we LUCKED out. The service is great. They are fast and working hard. I would have loved to have had my coffee cup filled up a couple more times, but I am really fast for the average coffee drinker. My Cherry Chicken Salad ($7.99) was AWESOME! Mixed greens topped with sliced tomato wedges, a scoop of chicken salad and a cup of their amazing cherry vinaigrette. DM's Burger Salad ($7.99) was also delicious with the same greens/tomato base but topped with a whole patty cooked as requested and lots of blue cheese crumbles and candied pecans. The cherry vinaigrette was a little odd - they could really use a balsamic vinaigrette on the menu - but it was still good. DH's blue cheese burger with chips and pickles ($8.99) was amazing. It was perfectly cooked medium rare (as requested) and topped with loads of cheese and served on a sauced pretzel bun. The LO's loved the granny grilled cheese ($7.99) on toasted white bread with cheddar, bacon, sliced granny smith apples and red onion aioli. OMG. Great quality bread and cheese with lots of sweet, salty and tangy flavors inside. It was the perfect fast lunch before we marked up the hill to the fort. Just loved this spot.

Decent good grilled cheese with apple, decent burger. Yes very little seating but one very efficient waitress keeps things moving.

Chuckwagon is the place to be in the morning on Mackinac Island! There was already a line out the door at 8:30am on a Saturday morning. They operate by a first come first serve basis, so get in line early if you are wanting to dine in! They are also offering carry out. If you have a large party (+4) I would recommend doing this option and then taking it down the street to eat in front of the water! The menu is pretty basic, and has all the classic breakfast items you would want! I tried the breakfast sandwich and was not disappointed! The pancakes also looked delicious. The portions are large, so come hungry! This is for sure a great spot to get some fuel in your belly before biking around the island!

We went at 1pm on a Thursday with 6. With no room for 6 they gladly came out to take our order TOGO and even gave us the recommendation to just order a side of fries instead of the $5 up charge from chips. Our order included -Rattlesnake Burger -BBQ Burger -Cheeseburger -Olive Burger -Chicken Strips -Rodeo Burger The service was amazing we waited outside for food, for not too long and ate at the park down the road in the shade. Only downside was that fries needed some more time cooking and weren't the best. Other than that burgers and special pretzel buns were great.

Chuckwagon is something of a local legend. Every time they're open (7-11 AM breakfast, 12-3 lunch) there is a line out the door. Menu prices have gone up from pictures posted a couple of years ago, but the value of the menu remains one of the best on Mackinac Island, where food prices are generally pretty high due to shipping costs and tourism. The first time we visited Chuckwagon was for lunch on a Friday. The line was out the door and barely moving. After 25 minutes of waiting in line on a packed sidewalk, we were finally able to place out takeout order. For anyone else looking to do takeout, skip the line and just call! We learned that the hard way. For lunch, we ordered the black bean burger, the blue cheese burger, the olive burger, and the rodeo burger. We upgraded to fries and coleslaw for one of them, but they accidentally gave us two upgrades instead. The burgers were nice and fresh. The Blue Cheese Burger had a very strong bleu cheese flavor, so I couldn't really taste the thousand island dressing. The Black Bean Burger was impressive-the flavor was much better than what I'd expected. The rodeo burger just reminded me of barbecue, but I really enjoyed the onions on it. The fries were pretty average, thin, and on the softer side. Their pickles were amazing! Overall, chuckwagon has good food and good value, but honestly I wouldn't say it's the "best burger in a Michigan" as their website boasts. The burger itself didn't really stand out to me as much as the toppings that were added.

The burgers were ok, not the best. The pickles are sweet- for me this was awful (I expected a dill that would go with the chips). The ranch dip was not great. This is a tiny place (hard to even move in to get your seat). There are other places on the island that I would go to over this one. I feel this place is not a winner in my opinion.