The Village Pump

We were on the island and decided to get dinner before heading back to the mainland. We sat at the bar the bartender was nice and friendly and had a good sense of humor. The food was good. We got the Pearch Platter and Chilli and the Chicken Salad Sandwich. The Pearch was 100% on point and delicious !! And the amount of fries that came with it could have fed half of Ethiopia. Even though it's a long swim we will be back to try some of your other delicious-looking plates. Thanks again!!

Had a turkey club and brandy Alexander for lunch. Service was great, food delicious and plentiful. The Brandy Alexander was delicious and a bit stronger than it tasted!

We were recommended this place by family who goes to KI on regular, and it did not disappoint! We had 2 11year olds with us who were super happy with pizza and turkey club options (basket of fries separate), and my friend is gluten free and I eat fairly clean. So we shared the roast beef and mashed potatoes (didn't eat the Texas toast but the horsey sauce 🤤🤤🤤🤤🤤 -- YUM!), mixed grains and quinoa and beans (YUM!), sweet potato fries (you HAVE TO TRY, best I've ever had), and the homemade coleslaw -- another must try! 😋😋😋 We had so much we took a box of leftovers with us to enjoy as a little snack on the ride back to the mainland! We will be back!

I so wish I would have grabbed some pictures of the drinks and food! We gobbled it up too fast. We had the perch by the pound as a shareable. I think this may have been the best perch we have had in the area. Light, flaky the breading is excellent. Onion rings are fabulous. You have to try a pitcher of the brandy alexanders! Perfect sweet drink to share with your table. Not overly sweet, but just right and so refreshing. Our server was excellent as well.

Drinks are amazing. Getting the pot roast will let you know how that is when we are done.

Best perch dinner ever. Update, still the best Perch dinner. Trying to find something that is even remotely close is proving to be very difficult to find. So good this time I had it two times..more to come if I find something similar, but I doubt it. By the way try the key lime pie it was not bad either.

Excellent perch dinner. Everything cooked just right for our party of 6. The waitress was nice enough to chase us down to return a hoodie that was left behind. Definitely order the Brandy Alexander.

I cannot say enough good things about the pump. Not only is The Pump synonymous with Kelley’s Island, it’s also a place I’m always trying to find a way to get to. The food is 5 stars, the atmosphere is magic and the faces are always smiling and familiar. I wish Google had a way to vote 10 stars but I can only work with what I’ve got!

I enjoyed the perch tacos and obviously loved the Brandy Alexander. Staff were awesome and didn't make us feel too too crazy when we ordered ahi tuna to take home for our dogs Overall, the food was decent bar food, staff were great, atmosphere was great, so would recommend.

This is a must go to restaurant- the Perch sandwich and cheese curds were amazing. The food was delivered promptly, still hot and delicious. The waitress is a local, gave us suggestions on places to visit , she was pleasant, made frequent checks on the table and brought drinks when she noticed the glasses were getting low! Love the local feel, a jukebox, pool table and simple style with the decor.

Pitcher of Brandy Alexander was a tasty and fun drink to share - a unique cool drink (kind of like an egg nog shake) on a hot day. Great friendly service from the bartender, she even sang us a song on our way out!

I visited during COVID-19 (Coronavirus) times in October 2020. This was my first stop for lunch on the first day that I arrived on Kelleys Island (Lake Erie, Ohio). LUNCH -- Their menu is large but just ask a server for help if you feel overwhelmed. I knew I wanted fish, since I was visiting an Island, so I ordered the Walleye (Fish) sandwich. The sandwich was pretty simple - it had a good amount of fish on a white bun with tomatoes and lettuce. I enjoyed my fish sandwich but it definitely could have used more flavour. I can't remember what my 3 friends ordered but they had no complaints with their lunch. VEGETARIANS -- This is not a good restaurant for vegetarians because almost everything on their menu is made with meat or fish. One of my friends is vegetarian and I believe she ended up just ordering a pretzel with cheese on the side. If you are looking for a typical American restaurant on Kelley's Island then the Village Pump is a reasonable option. Customer service was quick and efficient too. **** - 6/100 total reviews in 2021 - 425 total overall Yelp reviews - Reviewed on 2 January 2021

Hmmmm... I'd like to give it a higher rating. Seems like a cult favorite, but perhaps since there aren't a lot of options on Kelleys Island? The food was all tasty, it just wasn't all that special considering what we paid. Oh! Except for the clams. Hubby gave those two thumbs up. They are longer than he typically sees. Something he's actually noticed about western Lake Erie area. Perhaps same supplier? Does has lots of space to fit large groups.

Take a walk down to the Casino, you'll be much happier! And they probably won't give you your neighbors LARGE Bill instead of your own!

Really excellent perch bites. Meh onion rings, meh French fries, but those perch bites! Tartar sauce is homemade and very good, and I'm picky about tartar sauce. Friendly attentive service, especially considering how busy it was.

If you're going to Kelleys Island, you're going to get hammered. It's a good idea to go to one of the most popular bars on the island. The Village Pump is one of the iconic bars. It's real close to the dock. This is good to catch a drink before you catch a ferry. Basically it's just a drunken mess inside the bar. Service is sketchy but usually you'll get your drinks or food eventually. The signature drinks here include their famous brandy. If you're looking for food, they have plenty of fried lake creatures. This isn't the entire menu but it's the majority. A non fried item is the lobster chowder. The walleye bites seem to be popular. If you're waiting for the ferry it's easy to grab a drink. Getting good food can take a bit long as this place can get packed. The drinks are okay but the food is overpriced and fried beyond recognition.

Fantastic food and service!! Perch and nachos are my personal favorite. BTW. You can't leave without a pitcher of Brandy Alexander's and a high five from Gary!

Friday lunch special-2 large walleye filets with fries and Cole slaw. Home made tarter sauce was so yummy. Lots of lemon and condiments provided. For drink recommend the brandy Alexander. It tastes like a milk shake with a kick. Called ahead for takeout and ate across the street on picnic table with beautiful view. Doesn't get much better. Would definitely recommend.

Best perch I have had so far on the islands. Atmosphere was great, singing waitress, fun place to hang out.

Tried to order nachos but was told the oven was broken and there was no way to make them then ordered the pot roast sandwich and it came out mostly cold. Guess that should have been the same as the nachos.

I just gotta throw down the 5 stars, this place is awesome here I am blowing off work and GD there's a bunch of island types doing the same! Love it. Day drink. Gotta watch it tho on the way up from Cle I passed i don't know, every cop in the state. Got the famous Richies homemade lobster chowder, it was great! Very different from the usual, big celery chunks with the lobster chunks in an orange broth. Great great great and the island pump is the place to do it. Loved it. The bar reminds me kind of like Brennan's fish house in grand river. This one doesn't remind me as much of the set of jaws tho. Famous perch sandwich everybody raves & of course it's great too. Light breaded perch, several pcs on there w lettuce and good tomato slices. I always skip the tartar sauce After Daytona. Don't ask. Man I smashed it all. I love this bar. Maybe it's the first time thing but hey i could sit here all day. $31 plus tip it was. Off season and the bar gals are working hard. Island is pretty sedate now, guys trying to walk their dogs but the dogs just wanna swim kinda thing with land lubbers like me driving their jeeps around bc it's cheaper than renting a cart for $14 an hour. Great time I wish I could do 10 stars!!!

I'm really at a place of wonder. We saw this was rated high and a gal on the street suggested this restaurant for fish. Came back for a later lunch. The menu has many choices. However, for someone like me that is gluten-free, it was very limited. I'd say the same if you are a vegetarian or vegan. Actually, I wouldn't recommend coming here at all then... My partner had the fish tacos, my daughter had the $5.00 piece of fish and I had the nachos. Fish tacos were okay he shared, but not anything you'd crave or think about later. Our daughter did not like the fish (could have been her) and the nachos were gigantic and could have fed four people. I will share, they are a gigantic pile of chips, tomatoes (other toppings too), cheese and beef. The beef tasted more like chilli than taco. It wasn't bad but the toppings weren't evenly distributed and the sour cream was in two squeeze pouches. The service was friendly but felt rushed. Lots of space, good for large families/groups. Just not sure how this place is rated so high. The food was okay, but we did not eat anywhere else on the island so perhaps this is the best???

It was our first time eating at the Pump. The restaurant was packed and our wait was around 20 minutes. The food however was superb. We absolutely loved the perch sandwich

Get the pitcher of Brandy Alexander! Great perch basket too! Fresh, hot, and big portion. Easily enough for two people to share the basket.

This location is very close to the dock and easy access. The beer was cold and the rings were hot. The service was completely indifferent. The one constant I have found about these island type places is sometimes a huge air of "I don't give a f***" amongst employees, etc. Maybe it is the quality of employees, maybe having to put up with tourists, etc. Maybe I am just going to the wrong islands. But after a single trip to Kelley's, I have zero desire to go back...and won't. I am not basing all of Kelley's on this; just taken as a whole experience (while considering the Village Pump) left a sour taste in my mouth. Good thing the beer was cold.

The portions were very small and the food was not hot. Also, the food was obsessively over-priced. Not a great culinary experience! There are far better choices on the island to select from.

A great bar with great fish and good drinks, a great family runs the pump. They are always in there business as an owner should be, great job Gary & Jackie.

Chose this place based on the tag line, Where the Locals Eat. We had Perch dinner and Wally Bites dinner. Both had huge quantities. The baskets would have been more that satisfactory. Perch was excellent. Walleye was good. I ordered asparagus instead of a potato, which was a mistake. It was not prepared well. The setting was pretty noisy in both rooms so conversation was limited. Overall a good experience in a vacation and beach town.

What can you say? A pretty decent menu and it is all good. Then the portions are ridiculous at a good price. I had their (8) perch filet dinner and it was great. Took half "home" for next day's lunch. The dang coleslaw is about the best I ever had. And good fries and cool Sides. Everything else we've tried has been good too. You can't go wrong here!!!

Oh my goodness, I loved it here. I just spent the day at Kelley's Island for a bachelorette weekend, and The Village Pump was recommended by the maid of honor. She said that the Brandy Alexander's were to die for, and she was not kidding! Our party of 9 went through two and a half pitchers of it. It was basically alcoholic frosty's from Wendy's, and I couldn't stop drinking them! I have to go back just for these.

This spot won me over with 2 things: 1) the Brandy Alexander - basically an alcoholic chocolate frosty. Amazing!!! 2) Amazing perch - some of the best I've ever had! You usually can't go wrong anywhere on the lake - but seriously, you have to try it. I also tried their lobster chowder which was super creamy and filling but delicious. Plenty of pieces of lobster. If you're on Kelley's you must stop in for lunch or dinner!

Never a bad experience here! We always come here at least once on vacation on Kelley's island

Great lunch at Village Pump. Had the Lobster Chowder with basket of fried clams strips & fries. Chowder was delicious with lots of big pieces of lobster and good fresh corn. Fried clams were fantastic! Sweet, succulent and big all are best words to describe. Best clams I've had in years! Highly recommended!

Everyone on the island said the food is good here. The restaurant is so dirty I wasn't so sure I wanted to try it. I decided to give it a shot. I asked the bartender if I could have a mix of walleye and perch basket. She says no. So count me out. You have to spend $18 for both to get a taste of both. Not happening. I chose not to eat. Probably safer that way anyway. Nobody has checked on if I want anything or another beer or a check. Guess I'm heading next door to captains quarters to eat two nights in a row. I don't give bad reviews. I think this may be my first.

Fat head tap takeover!! Good pub food. I've had several items, wings are very crispy, which I love. Sauce on the side, which is weird, but I guess that accounts for the crispness. Never a bad time!

Okay folks. You're on vacation of some sort, and you've decided to make a trip to an island, right? Everything on the island needs to be shipped to the island adding to cost and the businesses only have 3, maybe 4 months to make a profit. Yes, prices are a little higher on the islands. The Village Pump sure pushes these factors to the edge, but the food is always very good, service is friendly and fast, and you're on the water or very close at least. $4 for a tiny container of cole slaw is jaw dropping, but it's freshly made and excellent. They know how to fry Perch and Walleye with the very best of the best, so indulge! Apparently the Brandy Alexander's are top notch, so try one or a pitcher if that's your thing. Cheers!

Clam strips are unbelievably delicious. The tartar sauce is best eaten in large quantities and dip your fries in them. Order two and thank me later. Burgers are always good for a change up. They used to serve chimichangas on Thursdays but I think they stopped years ago. So if you see them offer this as a special, jump on it. The lobster chowder was better than I expected. Yet another specialty I'll wind up craving all year or until our next visit.

"Where all the locals go to drink" Tis true. Good place to go as an islander as you'll run into someone you know everyday. Jukebox, pool table, popcorn and a chill atmosphere. Foodwise, awesome artichoke dip, steak bites and wings. Not a big fish eater but I'm sure the perch is great like everyone says. Big fan of their t-shirts, too. Sold at a white house on division street across from caddy shack square. Good quality/Non-ugly island wear.

My expectations were low. Island low. However the hostess won me over. This girl seated us and had the personality that was fun, magnetic and appealing. She talked to the kids; she joked with us. She told us of the specials and got us drinks. Our server showed up and took our orders and ms. congeniality hostess stopped by and told us "you get the green bean fries. the beans equal out the fried yumminess"...kids inhaled them. Wife and I ordered another beer, kids sprites. We both had the artichoke/white pizzas with enough garlic to choke a vampire. I tasted it for days. Days ...but the fun part was that the hostess loved her job so much she's sprinting around the place, ran and got our food and delivered it with a spin. What a fun spirit. Overall the food was a solid 3, the hostess a 10.. Bar was SUPER loud; partiers were our and about. Kids in this place, even at dinner, maybe weren't the best idea.

This was really tasty. Limited food options on the island but we wanted to eat here multiple times! Get the lobster chowder! The bartender working was also super friendly!

Best Brandy Alexanders & fried Lake Erie perch on the island. Always busy & fun. A KI staple!

My husband and I came here as soon as we got to the island. We were starving after waiting a while to catch the ferry. Between us we split a bowl of the lobster chowder, he had perch tacos, and I had the walleye basket. We also shared a half pitcher of the infamous Brandy Alexanders we'd heard so much about. The chowder was sooooo good. Huge chunks of meat, which can often be missing from seafood soups even though that's the claim to the name, and corn scattered throughout. Both fish dishes were fresh and flavorful. Everything came out fast to our delight and the BAs were like an alcoholic Frosty. Yesses all around from us!

I got the lobster chowder. There was only a tiny tiny bit of lobster. The walleye bites were good. The service was minimal.

Food and drinks were just ok and overpriced. We found other restaurants that we liked much better.

The Village Pump is a required stop for us when we visit the island. Always great food and service. We stopped on 10/10/20 as part of a motorcycle tour. Their famous Brandy Alexander is a necessity if you stop here, so good. I got the perch basket, perch is cooked perfect and their homemade tartar sauce is perfect, good fries too. My wife got the chicken fingers basket and loved it too. Our server, Ella, was prompt and attentive.

I was a tiny bit tipsy upon entering "The Pump" so most of it is kinda blurry. So -- what else is any self respecting woman to do at that point? Drink some more. This place is known for their frozen Brandy Alexander's. They're pretty tasty and even served by the pitcher. Yep, like everyone says... the perch is pretty decent. The portions are enough for 3 people -- which is why I shared with my mama and sis. Something you MUST try here -- the lobster chowder. It was out of this world delicious. I wish I would have just ordered a bowl of that and called it a meal. And in closing, watch out for drunken bathroom cougars who want to pick fights over nothing.

This is the best place on the island. Steak bites is great so is the coleslaw. If you don't stop at the Pump you didn't truly experience Kelley Island.

All hype. I think a lot of drunks have reviewed the place and most food tastes good with a buzz. First, it is over priced. Second, I got three times as much fries per perch for the "famous" perch basket. Third, they have NO kids meals and fries were extra. For a family of five I ended up dropping $90 on burgers and perch baskets. The rest is picky: we were served by at least six people -- that is strange. I couldn't tell a waiter from a bartender or a cook. However, they were all very friendly and quick. My sweet potato fries were undercooked or they were in the freezer too long, I'm not sure which but I wouldn't recommend ordering them here. And, they have one beer on draft: a Canadian beer.

I love the pump! Been going there since I was a wee tot. Really good atmosphere. Friendly bartenders, good greasy bar food. Things can get sort of out of hand on Friday nights when the "party cruise ship" Goodtimes I (or as my family has always called it, the Boat from Hell) docks, but I just do my best to stay clear of downtown during those times.

The good: Excellent perch dinner, wait staff was very attentive , I would go back just for the perch dinner. The disappointing: The Brandy Alexander's did not seem the same as a few years ago, very weak and for $25.00 a pitcher I was expecting better.

Good walleye, good perch, but not the best either. It's a bar, don't expect much more than that. Decent food, but it's probably known more for being a local watering hole. Price was affordable, and fresh fish is really hard to mess up so it was good, but like i said it was not anything spectacular.

Bottom Line: If we are in the area again for lunch we will probably try somewhere else just for the sake of variety, but I would certainly be happy to eat there again. We ate there for lunch, there was not a crowd but it didn't feel empty either. I got the burger and my wife got the daily lunch special, which was fried shrimp with coleslaw and fries. It was good bar lunch food, but nothing special. The prices are pretty good for being on an island, and the staff was friendly and attentive.

As others have said, no stop on Kelleys Island is complete without a stop at The Village Pump and its famous Brandy Alexander. Once you and your group have made the committement to "start the night," The Pump is typically the place to begin. I've spent countless hours at the pool table making many new friends and memories. Be sure to get your Brandy Alexander at the start and then proceed to sit at the bar and enjoy conversation with a more local crowd. Large groups will enjoy The Pump's lemon drop pitchers as a fun and light party shot. If you end up here early enough to eat, the food is generally some of the best on the island. One thing that I have not seen mentioned (sorry if I missed it)---at least one halloween in your life has to be spent here. We will usually rent a condo for halloween weekend (as the boat is usually wrapped for the winter by this time). Split among 8-10 people, it makes for a cheap/fun weekend. It is an absolute gem of a time.

I love this place. No island run is complete without a Brandy Alexander, a basket of walleye bites, and a bowl of lobster chowder. Oh yum! A friend just had the perch, and said it was excellent. This means I may have to forgo my beloved walleye bites some visit. I love all the historical photos on the walls, and talking to the locals. Fascinating folks and place! Service is good, food is great, and you get a beautiful view of our great lake! We always stay at the marina, and it's a short bike ride to the Pump. And very convenient after a Jet Express ride to Put-in-Bay. Enjoy!

What's not to like?!! Best perch, steaks, burgers, ruebens and the list goes on and on. Did I mention the Brandy Alexanders and the great staff and owners? I dream about this place in the dead of winter... The picture is the view from our table.

We visited the here during the off season. Perhaps this led to our less than stellar experience. However, the meal was horrible and absolutely ridiculously expensive. It was bar food. Typical fried food fare, at horrendously high prices. The service was lousy and we couldn't even get our WATER refilled. Even in the off season, while the bar was crowded (and many were drunk) we sat right behind the bar and were completely ignored and even our chowder (which the restaurant claims is the best and award winning) was COLD. We (just my husband and I) purchased no drinks, shared one appetizer, each got a meal, shared chowder and our bill was over $80. We will NOT be back. And will NOT recommend this to anyone.

Yum yum, the menu has everything for everyone and it was all done to perfection! The lobster chowder was delicious! The perch was lightly breaded and also delicious! The walleye bights were also delicious. The atmosphere is fun and casual and the wait staff kept us happy! Highly recommended!!!!