The Southerner

Get the dang fried chicken. Or the chicken biscuit. Either way there is no other choice. It is the best! Also the grits were amazing, and I am a snob about my grits (originally from Kentucky). Pro and con? There are no reservations so get here as soon as they open, and try to get a table outside. It is not as loud. 😉 I also got the coffee cocktail 👌🏼 and my husband got the Bloody Mary, which he said it was good too!

Stopped here twice on our trip. The cocktails are great. First time I had the shrimp and grits. It was tasty but the FRIED CHICKEN is classic. The chicken will have you chewing breading off the bone.

The food was delish and the service was on point. We sat next to the window indoors and the view was just beautiful! Definitely recommend this place!

Amazing food and service! We loved the fried chicken and the shrimp and grits. The biscuit was very soft and flaky as well!

Great food! Had the fried chicken with a biscuit and also a fish sandwich. The food is A+ homemade and you can tell in the taste. This is a place the locals brag on.

The food was amazing! Unbelievably delicious. Superlatives fall short to express the joy I feel. I write this still in the restaurant basking in the afterglow of that great meal. The chicken skin was crispy and meat fell off the bone. The catfish was melt-in-your mouth. It was so good I would be willing to pay double.

We had a long wait to get a table, but it was WORTH IT! The chicken and catfish were some of the best I’ve ever tasted, the biscuits were outstanding, and the greens, Mac & cheese, and slaw were all top notch. Riverfront dining and great drinks too!

I've visited the Southerner several times now, and I've never had a bad experience. The staff has always been professional and friendly, and the food has been phenomenal. This time I ordered the grits and greens with a biscuit and potato gratin on the side. I've tried the shrimp and grits and fried chicken before, and those were wonderful. This time was likewise delicious, and the potato gratin is to die for. The drink menu is pretty expansive, and there were a lot of options to choose from (although I just stuck with coffee). As usual, the view of the river from the window was pleasant. I would say that the Southerner is probably the restaurant I would recommend in Saugatuck when trying to impress, and I cannot say enough good about it.

Their fried chicken was outstanding. I've visited Saugatuck many times and I've never eaten at The Southerner. So glad I finally did.

If I could tell my Kentucky ancestors that some of the better fried chicken I've had was in Michigan, they might not believe me. But The Southerner is NOT messing around with their dinner spread. Our party of 6 split the fried chicken dinner and it was more than enough food for everyone to leave full. The biscuits, mac and cheese, and catfish were all highlights - and of course the chicken was excellent. Service was friendly and efficient, especially considering how busy they were. This will be on the top of our list on our next trip to Saugatuck!

Well, my friends and i wont be back. We had a big party come in. They were not LGBTQ+ friendly to us. And being the community - they were very prejudice. 9 of us also got food poisoning from the food. Just a bad experience all around and it sucks we were treated poorly especially when it was a recommendation from our air bnb. Dont eat here.

My mouth is still watering from this meal! There were 5 of us and we had three boxes leftover to take home. To start, this is such a cute (and very popular) restaurant right by the water. There's a walk up window to order drinks or to go items while waiting. It took about 15 minutes to get a table and we were seated outside by the water which left us with the perfect view! My ONLY complaint was that the table could barely fit our group and our meal but I still would have rather been outside because it was just beautiful. The service here was 5 stars as well! Polite + attentive Nana's Table came with 12 pieces of fried chicken (flavorful, tender, 10/10), 2 fried catfish (10/10 the best catfish I've ever had), 6 biscuits (light, crispy on the outside, perfect! 10/10). It also came with 2 family size sides. We opted for the sweet corn salad and baked beans. Next time I may opt for the pickles and braised greens instead. I wish I had room for dessert because the chocolate chess pie sounded incredible! Thanks for a memorable meal! We can't wait to come back next year!

Best. Fried. Chicken. Ever! marinated 24 hrs in buttermilk and pickle juice! Its perfect. Juicy, seasoned, worth waiting for. Dont be in a hurry if its a busy weekend. Enjoy some of the best crafted cocktails in town with those blue crab fritters while you wait patiently. Be happy that you ordered the crystal butter, greens and side of catfish. Its a casual chicken joint done right.

Five stars then. Five stars now. Five stars always! Honestly, I can't get enough of this place. I've reviewed these guys several times before. Check out those reviews if you want the savory details. I just ate here again last Friday and GOSH DANG! have my taste buds been my besties all week. They're just so stinking happy. Nana's fried chicken. Nashville hot. Just get some. Add a maple old fashioned and enjoy looking at the water. It's totally the meal that makes it worthwhile to hire a sitter. I LOVE The Southerner!!!

The food was absolutely delicious! I ordered the fried chicken and enjoyed every bite. It was juicy on the inside with wonderful crispy skin. The biscuits, honey butter, sweet corn salad, french fries, and ranch were all excellent. If you like a smokey flavor to your baked beans then these are for you. My family ordered chicken tenders, chicken sandwich, and mac and cheese and all enjoyed their meals as well. The ambiance on the water was lovely and the Pride decorations were wonderful!

What do you think of when you think "Southern cuisine"? I'm guessing fried chicken is in the top 3 thoughts that spring to mind. That's what I was thinking and I had a hankering for some. It's not officially on the menu but there is a 1/4 chicken option. It's a thigh and leg. I was traveling alone, so I went for that. Got it Nashville hot with a side of baked beans. The chicken itself automatically comes with a biscuit on the side. The Nashville hot has some get up. No fooling around here. Crispy skin that kept all the juices trapped in. It was delish. Beans were ok and maybe a little soupy for my taste. Biscuit comes with honey butter so make sure you spread some on. That was a tasty biscuit. Also, I sat at the bar. Great service and a VERY impressive selection of bourbon if you dig the brown spirits, which I do. A little pricy for a small town but a great selection non the less. Get you some!

Where to start? This place is 5/5 all around. First they're smart because you can join the wait list online so you don't have to crowd their area because there's not much of a waiting area. After putting our name on the wait list we waited only 15 minutes and were sat very quickly. The inside of the place absolutely reminds you a southern grannies home, down to the tables and chairs to the plates they put your food on. Let's move onto the service. I don't think I've ever had food delivered so quick at a sit down restaurant. We actually got our food before our drink because they were so fast which I am not mad about. I love the quick service. And when you get your food and it perfectly warm and kept its temperature the entire meal. This place is a must when in Saugatuck!

Honestly, as a southerner, the food here is good but not blow your mind like back home. BUT. The biscuit and the honey butter is AMAZING. I'd go back to Saugatuck just for the biscuits. Also, they mean business when they say the chicken is spicy. I got Nashville hot and it was serious and tasty. I know good food takes time but service is so slow here so go before you get hungry. Also of note, it's quite loud. Their dining room echos quite a bit. This is my second time within a year and it was loud last time too.

I will make sure to come back here whenever I am in Saugatuck! The food is so great! Must get the biscuits and Mac n cheese. So damn good. Also best Bloody Mary in town! The restaurant has a cozy vibe with a great staff

The crawfish, catfish, shrimp grits-étouffée was delicious! Cool place with a cool vibe on the river. Our drinks were delicious and service from Conner was amazing. So glad we stumbled upon this eclectic southern fare.

I stumbled upon The Southerner while driving through Saugatuck and this is a MUST HIT. Known for Appalachian and Southern fare in Michigan, it sits on the Kalamazoo River and has the best marina view I love. Not to mention, the chicken biscuit, with a homemade biscuit that's to die for and so many layers, I could go on and on. If yo find yourself traveling the Lake Michigan coast, The Southerner is a must!

the concept for this restaurant is really cool- referencing their website. on the outside from the parking lot, it looks like tiny (like a trailer, almost?) but WOW! the view from the back porch/deck area is beautiful. the food was amazing. it was hard to decide with so many tasty choices. our server was really knowledgeable and recommended the corn salad and greens to go with my chicken biscuit. I had never tried greens before, but I'm glad I tried them here. it was all delicious. even the kids were impressed with the all-but-basic juicy chicken tenders. this was the one non-negotiable stop on our Michigan vacation!

Just get their Chicken and biscuits. It's what they're best at! The sauces run HOT My son LOVEDDDD kids meal chicken tenders and fries. Great view of boats. Indoor, outdoor, and sacred options

Had an unforgettable evening at The Southernor, and it was all thanks to the amazing food and our stellar waiter, Connor! From the moment we walked in, the warm, welcoming vibe set the stage for a fantastic night. From the ambiance to the service to the food, The Southernor exceeded our expectations. Connor's top-notch service and vibrant personality turned a great meal into a memorable experience. Can't wait to come back and enjoy more Southern hospitality and culinary delights!

All Staff friendly and helpful. We both had the fish dish that came with what they called an etouffe sauce with shrimp and crawfish. It seemed more like a creole sauce to me but regardless it was delicious. Catfish Robert. It comes with a biscuit or other sides. A pleasant spot on an inlet of Lake Michigan. We were lucky with the weather and sat in the screened in patio.

Poor service waited over hour and half for food. Will not never come back. Server was rude when when ask where our food was.

The Southerner in Saugatuck, MI is a taste of the South in the Midwest! We got in line just before they opened and were seated right away. It's an unassuming building from the outside with a cozy vibe inside and a beautiful waterfront view. The chicken biscuit sandwich is comfort food perfection - tender, flavorful, buttermilk-brined chicken on a biscuit that is out of this world. It was so simple, and so, so good! The fam also tried the ham, egg, and cheese biscuit, mac and cheese, and a few great sides. Beans, greens, and grits were all great. Highly recommend checking out The Southerner!

My fiancée loves this restaurant and we end up swinging by every time we are on the west side of the state. They offer southern style dishes and sandwiches, and you will have a view of the water while you eat. I lived in Texas for awhile, and this is one of the few places around you can get a good po'boy or fried chicken the southern way. They've also got some beers available you can't usually get up this way. I really only have two complaints. If you're not there when they open, it's swamped. So it's not just us that thinks this place is pretty good! The soda comes is a can and a glass with ice, so you don't get refills like you would from a fountain.

Can't wait to go back! This throw back roadside cafe was awesome, with views of the marina in a homey/casual setting. The food was authentic southern cuisine offering mouth watering dishes such as fried catfish, chicken, shrimp and grits, greens, homemade biscuits, juicy burgers and breakfast sandwiches. We spotted homemade pecan pie on the way out and will definitely make sure to eat here next time we're passing through Saugatuck!

We've lived in Holland for a few years and unfortunately it took us a while to get to The Southerner. There isn't really anything like it to the north. It's a welcoming, homely place. I'm sure it's even more fun in the summer when they open the windows and extend their dining. Either way, this is the kind of place I miss coming to. I wasn't overwhelmed by the cocktail options, but they have a whiskey bar if that's up your alley. On some nights that is for me but maybe more so on a brisk summer evening. We started with the Blue Crab Calas, which are basically hush puppies. Really good ones. Numerous things caught my eye for entrees, but for my first Southerner experience, I had to get the Fried Chicken, which was perfectly fried and the special two piece was a perfect size. I'll definitely order a sandwich or two on a future visit, even if it's take out. Ohhhh also, the Potato Gratin is awesome. Definitely get that for a side. I think I like everything about The Southerner. The house. The location. The font on the menu. The staff. The signs in the bathroom. Oh, the food. I like this place. It makes me feel good about myself.

We got through the waitlist pretty quickly. They did warn us that the food would take a while. Once we received the food there were no more words, just tummy happiness. The chicken was so juicy and tender but with a great crust. Loved the Mac and cheese and the sides. The fluffy muffins were to die for.

We ate there twice because it was so amazing and why wouldn't we ? It is an unassuming building with harbor views from the patio . We didn't take any dinner pics because we were hungry goddam it and please don't judge ! The service was friendly and efficient . The star of the show is clearly the Nashville fried chicken . They don't mess around with the spice and it was crispy and spicy and just lovely . They have 3 levels of spice fyi . We also tried the macaroni and cheese, beans , corn salad and coleslaw. My husband ordered the salad with hush puppies, Everything was great . Also please don't be boring and order fries .Try something else . We tried the old fashioned and old death. They are good cocktails . If I'm ever back in the area I'll be back home eat the chicken and try the fried catfish .

Food: 4/5. Drinks: 4/5. Service: 5/5. Pimento cheese; half chicken, biscuit pickles, baked beans. Mai Tai, Marina-Rita, Piña Piña No 2. Yankees serving good food and southern hospitality!

Food was good, but a bit pricey! Service was great & the view of the lake was nice! I loved the way the seating was arranged & the restaurant was decorated!

Husband and I arrived in Saugatuck to visit our friend. After a long flight, we were pretty hungry, so our friend suggested this place. I was a bit overwhelmed because I typically don't eat a big meal after traveling, and what they had to offer was definitely the place to come to with a hearty appetite if you are in Saugatuck. I imagine most who have thrilled themselves with a day of water sports come here for that reason. I ordered the braised roast poor boy, and my husband had the catfish poorboy, and we both loved our sandwiches. The service was excellent, and so was the ambiance, as this place is set near the lake. I would have taken some pictures had we not been so tired and hungry.

Who goes to Michigan to eat southern food? We do! So happy we did too. The wait to sit outside was a little long but you're in the tiny quaint town of Saugatuck you just sit back and wait. We opted for outdoor dining so we could have a view of the water. We started out with some refreshing and tasty Margaritas and some homemade Pepper Jelly. For those familiar you know that southern snack that's made with cream cheese and pepper jelly served with Ritz crackers. Yum!!! I want more! Every traditional dish was on the menu: fried chicken which is their specialty and yes it was delicious, Mac and cheese, biscuits, catfish, shrimp, grits, Po Boy sandwich which my son devoured, greens, and Chilaquiles?? That's what I said. And did I order this? Of course I did! And did I love it? I sure did!! Everything was super delicious! Service was super friendly. Go now if you're in the mood for some tasty comfort Southern grub.

So delicious and an amazing whiskey/bourbon list! The server was great! And I ate way too much because it was that delicious

I feel kind of meh about this place. I came here for lunch the other day while checking out the city and found that the restaurant was right on the river. This could definitely be a lively place come summer. We ordered a few things off the menu to try, including the fried chicken. The service that we received was excellent, the waitress that was helping us was super nice and patient . We had ordered the fried chicken, the boiled greens, grits, and southern fried shrimp. The chicken came out very quickly and we were surprised how flavorless the chicken was (we originally wanted it Nashville style but the extra flavoring costs more). The two sides we ordered were also a bit dull and underwhelming with the greens being on the salty side. The highlight of the meal was definitely the homemade dinner rolls that came with the chicken.

Me and the family went there. I am particularly an a$$hole about food. I worked in the industry for over 16 years. I will say everything was AWESOME. They made me a special "mocktail" and recommendation were on point! The Nashville hot Chicken Sandwich was the best I've had since Hatty B's in Nashville. My kids cheeseburger and fries looked amazing and my wife loved her butter chicken. The biscuits were home made and made the difference. I'd go back. Again and again and again and well you get the point by now! Go if you are in the area!!

Stopped in for lunch with a friend, and the patio! Absolute Michigan perfection. I could have sat there all afternoon watching the boats and people! We were greeted warmly at the door and the excellent service continued throughout our meal. I was pleasantly surprised by the robust drink menu - my Paloma was the perfect compliment to a steamy afternoon! The dill pickle dip was a surprise hit. Even my pickle averse friend enjoyed it! I opted for the deviled crab and shrimp po boy. It was very good - but we warned the heat builds! We'll definitely be back next time we're in Saugatuck. Must try the fried chicken next

The grits and greens were very good, good flavor, egg was cooked over hard. The fries were very delicious, fastanstic flavor and tasted even better in their ranch. Maple old fashioned was one of the best we've had. The Nashville hot chicken biscuit was spicy, crispy, and flakey. They have a casual, southern vibe. Inside and outside both seem like a great place to sit with a view. Our server was very attentive and we really enjoyed our time there.

There must be new management?? Haven't been here for a few years because the last time was a complete culinary/service disaster. This time around? Food excellent. Service fantastic. Everything was so delicious we came back 2 days in a row and were not disappointed!! The chicken was fantastic, the biscuits were perfect, and we all loved the sides of coleslaw, fries (yummy!),and sauerkraut. Yay!! Can't wait to return

This was my second time at The Southerner. First was just okay but second was fantastic. I showed up around noon on a Monday and sat by the water on a warm day in October. The grits were buttery and delicious. Biscuits super flaky and the butter flavored. Chilaquiles were okay but lacked some crunch.

We went on line and put our names on the wait list said 41 minutes out got to the restaurant and was told the wait list is not reliable and now we have an 1 hour 15 minutes. Why does the restaurant even bother with wait list

I have been wanting to come here since I heard they have Nashville Hot Chicken. I went early on a Saturday evening in the off season (March). I got there at 430, and was seated immediately. I looked over the menu. If you want chicken. Your only real choices are 1/2 chicken, while chicken or family style. I did notice later, you can get a chicken sandwich. Which I would order next time. I ordered 1/2 Nashville hot chicken dinner, with 2 sides. Twice baked potato gratin and Baked Beans. Once again, it was not what I think of as true Nashville hot chicken. That has the spice in the breading, and no sauce. This had a light sauce on it that was the perfect amount of heat (if you like it hot!). It was really good. The potatoes and biscuit were awesome! But I didn't care for the beans. I will say, the 1/2 chicken meal is a LOT of food. You could easily split it. My waitress was attentive and I loved the view of the river. I left about 530, and there was already a line out the door. I will definitely be back.

Good fried chicken, excellent service! What they served us was excellent. One Southern tradition with fried chicken is... rice and gravy.... and that was not on the menu.

We tried this place for the first time on Father's Day and will not be returning. It wasn't busy. But service was extremely slow. To get drinks, to take order and to actually get the food. I guess they are known for their chicken but we didn't order as the table next to us ordered it and it looks so extremely burnt. The chicken sandwich at the other table next to us was two chicken tenders on a bun. They weren't impressed with it. So we decided on the crab/lobster poor boy. Which looked and tasted like watered down tuna salad. We also ordered the shrimp and grits. Which was under cooked grits and frozen thawed unseasoned shrimp. The dish has zero flavor. Asked for hot sauce and was charged $2.00 for hot sauce without being told there would be a charge for hot sauce. The food left much to be desired. We were sat at an inside table and were constantly swatting flies around and there were a lot of them swarming in the room. Ambiance - dirty, sticky tables, flies everywhere. Will not be returning The 1 star is for their bun which was the only good part of the meal

We had a nice lunch at the Southerner today. Our service was okay / the bartender was our server and that never seems to be a good combination at a restaurant. We would go back.

Fantastic place. No reservations taken but we went early and sat right down. The back patio is great. Loads of umbrellas to negate the late afternoon sun. We had a couple of drinks which were both done well albeit expensive @ $15 cocktail. The family of four had the family style meal for 4-6. It was all fantastic. It would certainly serve 6 adults! All in all a great experience. I'd come back again.

Our 2nd time visiting...and it was just as good as we remembered! My husband got the half chicken- it was Juicie, well cooked, and flavourful. I ordered the chilaquiles which was amazing. The tortilla chips, chorizo, tomatoes and eggs went together better than I expected. If you are in the Saugatuck area, the Southerner is a must try!

Hands down best restaurant in the Saugatuck/Douglas area. Nondescript building located on the Kalamazoo River with ample seating and great views of the waterfront from all seating areas. Nice outdoor patio to dine at as well. Service was ideal with prompt and courteous service for everything before and during our meal. For an appetizer had the crab puffs which were amazing with a spicy remoulade. For dinner had there signature fried chicken. You can choose no spice (butter) or go with the spicy "Nashville" hot. Chose the Nashville hot and it had the perfect amount of kick for me while still preserving the amazing flavor of the chicken. This was by far best fried chicken have had in Michigan. On the side came with there buttermilk biscuit and honey butter which was to die for. The biscuit was cooked perfectly flaky and soft paired perfectly with the sweet honey butter. Come With your choice of two (2) sides. For sides had the corn salad which I would highly recommend. It was there take on a creamy Cole slaw. The grits were my other side and were above average. Overall, this was my favorite restaurant thus far in Saugatuck area. Highly recommend visiting if you are in the area.

Do not miss this place if you are in the area. Felt very comfortable having dinner at the bar (solo) though the views at tables looked great! Was able to walk here from my air bnb. Biscuits and honey butter are basically dessert.

For myself, it has been years 4-5 since I've eaten here. (Just wait.) Anyway, I remember the chairs not being super comfy but the staff was friendly and the food delicious. Pretty confident I had the fried chicken, because how can you not? However, I am writing this review on behalf of my 6 year old niece who came here for the first time a few days ago. Today she just had to tell me all about it, so I will share her words exactly. "You HAVE to go there! It was SOOOOO good!" "The fries were salty and the burger was...(she thinks and makes the Italian hand gesture)... cooked to perfection!" "I didn't like it. I LOVED it!!!" This kid barely eats dinner half the time and even when she does she's usually not so descriptive. So if you're looking for southern charm, delicious food, and a 10/10 rating from a 6 year old, this is the place!

The butter chicken!! A must. The Shrimp Caesar salad is the best I've ever had. The biscuits and jam are a 10. Worth the wait. Love the decor as well.

The food was ok and the service was courteous but the wine was outrageously expensive.

I'm really not on the same page as some of the other positive reviews. Best restaurant in the area? If that's true, the bar really isn't that high. Food was meh and wow did the menu seem limited. The kids wouldn't even eat their burgers. I read their chicken was supposed to be great but it was average and did not live up to my expectations based on other "rave" reviews. Coleslaw tasted like it was served straight out of a Gordon Food Services can. Almost nobody smiled and the waitress never came back to see how we were doing once we had food (although she did come back to fill water once before food came out). There was an odd musty smell out in the screened in eating area too. Yum. Might be decent for the area but it's definitely not a place I'd seek out or visit again.

The food is outstanding, the staff phenomenal and the ambiance is perfect. The crab fritters are amazing, the chicken..my mere words would not do justice..but wow! The cocktails delicious and well thought out.

We were in Saugatuck for the weekend and The Southerner was a must-do! Fun ambience and very nice staff. They don't take reservations, but you can have a few drinks while you wait. We had a big party, so we ended up waiting about 1.5 hours on a Saturday night. We got the large feast and had plenty of food for 8 people. You can split the chicken flavors up to 3 ways and if it's your first time, I would recommend just getting 3 different kinds for a good sampling. We got half Piedmont Dip and half Nashville hot. I was disappointed by the Piedmont. I didn't expect it to have a sweet sauce on it, almost like the sweet and sour sauce you might find at a Chinese food restaurant. The Nashville hot was a little too spicy for me, but everyone else loved it. So there didn't seem to be just a mildly spicy option because the traditional wasn't spicy. My favorite dish was the mac and cheese, by far. It was soooo good. The biscuits with honey butter were great. Would definitely recommend this as a side. The fries, slaw, and beans were good, if you like these types of sides at baseline. And I also really liked my cocktail, the Rosalita! I'm definitely looking forward to coming back. It's a fun spot with solid food. I'll prob get the mac and cheese next time!