Welcome to Butcher's Union
At Butcher's Union, culinary tradition meets modern flair in a vibrant whiskey bar setting. Located in Grand Rapids, MI, this New American eatery beckons diners with its thoughtfully crafted menu featuring everything from melt-in-your-mouth meatballs to homemade pasta, catering to both carnivores and vegetarians alike. The lively ambiance invites guests to unwind, whether enjoying a casual meal or celebrating special moments. With attentive service and a full bar offering an extensive whiskey selection, every visit promises an engaging experience. Butcher's Union not only focuses on flavor but also emphasizes community, making it a must-visit destination for food lovers.
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438 Bridge St Grand Rapids, MI 49504 United States Hotline: (616) 551-1323
Welcome to Butcher's Union, a vibrant dining destination located in the heart of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Known for its casual yet trendy atmosphere, Butcher's Union seamlessly blends the essence of a whiskey bar with a New American menu that delights the palate of every guest. Whether you're here for a lively dinner or a laid-back lunch, this restaurant promises an experience that's as flavorful as it is engaging.
Situated at 438 Bridge St, Butcher's Union offers a plethora of dining options that cater to diverse tastes and preferences, making it an ideal spot for groups and families alike. As a customer, you can enjoy the ease of outdoor seating, takeout, and delivery services, plus an impressive selection of vegetarian options. With a commitment to inclusivity, the establishment is wheelchair accessible with ample ADA-compliant facilities.
- Diverse Menu: Butcher's Union's menu features an array of dishes that range from perfectly cooked steaks and homemade pasta to delectable shareables like their “OUT OF THIS WORLD” meatballs. As one patron noted, the attention to detail in each entrée is evident, making every bite a celebration of flavor.
- Delicious Beverages: The bar is a standout, showcasing an impressive array of whiskeys and crafted cocktails. Don't skip the chance to try their renowned smoked Old Fashioned, which pairs beautifully with meals.
- Ambience & Service: Frequent visitors rave about the inviting atmosphere that balances a busy din with lively conversation. The knowledgeable staff is always ready with recommendations, adding a personal touch to the dining experience. Many reviewers have noted the attentive service, which enhances the overall enjoyment of the visit.
- Customer Favorites: Signature dishes, such as the Crab Benedict and decadent Chocolate Mousse Cake, frequently receive high praise. Guests also can't get enough of the brunch offerings, making it a perfect weekend retreat.
- Vibrant Experience: Butcher's Union is known for having the best nights on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, when the place buzzes with energy perfect for dancing or simply enjoying a fun outing with friends or family.
Overall, Butcher's Union is not just a restaurant; it’s a gastronomic adventure where every plate tells a story. Diners leave not only satisfied but also excited to return. The reviews have painted this restaurant as a must-visit in Grand Rapids. If you’re seeking a place that combines innovative American cuisine with casual comfort, Butcher's Union is undoubtedly worth your time and taste buds.
So, whether you take a seat indoors or opt for the covered outdoor area, prepare for a delightful culinary journey that promises delicious memories and a desire to come back for more.
My wife and I decided to go here for our 1 year wedding anniversary. When we looked it up the reviews looked awesome and we weren't disappointed. We sat down into the really cute and cool dining room and ordered our appetizers. A soup and salad. Both came out and tasted fresh and delicious. Next we put in some shareables. Meatballs, Brussels and fries. All of them were fantastic but the meatballs were OUT OF THIS WORLD! Loved them. Next our entrees were the pasta and steak. My steak was a little tough but overall decent and my wife's pasta was very good. Very clear it was homemade pasta! Our waitress was also ontop of it the whole time. I would definitely recommend this place!
Came here a few weeks back for dinner with my wife. We placed a reservation online and arrived 10 minutes early. We were quick to be seated, and the food was good but service was a bit lacking. I had to ask to have my drink refilled and they sat us at a small table in the bar area against a wall when they knew we were there for dinner service. We'd come back, probably for happy hour (as pricing seems to be a good value in comparison to the regular menu).
Love this place! Our table indulges in several entrees: meatloaf; salmon; salmon salad; and scallops. All the entrees were presented with attention to detail - they looked delicious and they were delicious. We ordered the Old Fashioned but request Elijah Craig Rye to give the cocktail a little more spice. Our server was courteous and attentive. She did a great job! Should I make it back to Grand Rapids this will be a repeat stop.
Awesome experience! I'd wanted to come here for some time. Drinks were strong. Steaks cooked perfect. The half off my entree because of my birthday was the cherry on top. Will be back for sure.
Brought family here for the first time for all of us. It was highly recommended by several people and we quickly found our way. Laid back ambience with an upscale feel. Staff was so friendly, attentive and had great suggestions. The menu has options from burgers to amazing steaks, definitely something for everyone. We all loved our dishes, especially the steaks! We will definitely be back very soon.
Service: waitress was good and attentive. Checked in with us a few times and made sure we were all set with our drinks and food. Food: I got the best smoked OLD FASHIONED. Been about a year since I came back so definitely was a nice treat. For dinner, I ordered the chicken with gnocchi and mushrooms. The sauce was so flavorful but I wished it had a little bit of heat. My friends ordered a burger and Brussels sprouts. This is one of my stable, go to restaurants in GR. Ambiance: always busy!!! I don't think I've been here when it was NOT packed. Good to see that they are still doing well. Since it's one of the best in GR, it tends to be a little nosy with the full house. But it's totally worth it!
Chocolate Mousse Cake (5/5): By far my favorite part of the meal. The mousse was thick and rich, the brownie crust was delicious, and the hazelnut praline crumble added a great texture. Very good dessert! Buttermilk Fried Chicken Sandwich (4/5): The chicken was a bit small, but was pretty well fried and decently juicy. I really liked the candied jalapenos which added a nice sweetness. Overall this was pretty good, but definitely didn't wow me. Fries (4/5): Decent fries, but not as crispy or as potato-y as I like. The sauces weren't my favorite either. Hard to mess up fries though, so I still enjoyed this dish overall. West Village Double Cheeseburger (3/5): The patties were really good--juicy, flavorful, and meaty--but the rest of the burger was lacking. The bun was too soft and became soggy very quickly; the creamy aioli was a little overpowering with garlic flavor; and the caramelized onions didn't really come through. Crispy Brussel Sprouts (3/5): A little light on flavor and definitely not enough bacon. The brussel sprouts themselves didn't get crispy at all and the insides were a little too soft/mushy. Good portion size though. Smoked Ribeye Sandwich (2/5): From the bun to the shaved ribeye, everything was just way too soft. Not at all what I was hoping for texturally. The meat flavor didn't really come through either, and I definitely couldn't taste the smoke. *Very large bourbon selection and The Squirming Coil Old Fashioned was pretty good. RATING SYSTEM 5 - Great (Need to get this again) 4 - Good (Would get this again) 3 - Ok (Might give this another shot) 2 - Not Good (Won't get this again) 1 - Bad (Telling people to avoid this)
Love Butcher's Union! We have been here twice and I can't wait to go again. Both visits were during lunch time on a Saturday and we were lucky enough to be seated right away without a reservation. Once at the bar and once at a regular table. Both were great and had attentive and friendly staff. Server and bartenders were quick to offer drinks and take our orders. The vibe is perfect- I love the decor, the bar, flooring and even the bathrooms. Honesty we could have sat here for hours just hanging out. The food is pretty great too! We tried the feta dip, ceasar salad, chicken sandwich, and meatballs. All amazing. Can we also talk about the French fries? The best!
Another 5 star experience at Butcher's Union we can in on Sunday 11/17/24 for a 10:30 reservation. Maybe a reservation wasn't required, but after getting up early on a Sunday and driving 45 minutes, I didn't want to risk waiting for a table. There were 4 of us for brunch and we sat in the atrium area. It was quieter than the primary dining room and we really liked the bright open feel of the space. We got there about 5 mins before our friends and we were sat even without them, which I thought was nice. Our server was Gray and she was wonderful! She was at our table quickly and so friendly! I ordered a $7 Bloody Mary and he ordered a pomegranate mimosa. When our friends joined us they ordered a grapefruit mimosa and morning vitamins. We were all very happy with our drinks. We ordered the slab bacon and the deviled eggs as an appetizer. The slab bacon was good - but it's not my favorite thing. I don't care for thick cut bacon. The flavor was delicious. The deviled eggs were small - but good things come in small packages. They were incredible. My Mr said he would "eat a pallet of the slab bacon and deviled eggs". For our entrees we had a lot of discussion! Between us we had: Crab Benedict (loved!), Monte Cristo Fried Chicken (also loved), Wagyu Steak and Eggs (SO loved) and the Huevos Rancheros - this was my entree and I was torn between so many things, when I asked Gray what she recommended - she said Huevos Rancheros, hands down. I requested my eggs over easy vs sunny side up and the kitchen was very accommodating. The flavor was smokey and little spicy, lots of fresh avocado and the tortillas were crisp and the perfect contrast to the soft avocado, black beans and eggs. It was the best version of Huevos Rancheros I've had. A couple of us had espresso martinis and they were so smooth and tasty. We ordered a Chocolate Mousse Cake to go and it was over the top! Light and rich, the crust with the hazelnuts made it even better. Butcher's Union has QUICKLY become a favorite. We have to come back soon because I want the Blueberry Pancakes and Corned Beef Hash!