Our “Return To Indoor Dining” Survey

Last week many of our local food venues opened their doors to inside dining  for the first time since mid November. 
And through those doors ucame the patient patrons who have been waiting to grab not just a meal but an actual seat at their favorite eatery.

To help support these businesses coming out of a bit of hibernation we asked readers to take part in a non scientific, off the wall and likely wildly inaccurate survey.

1. Where did you go first?
2. What did you have? 
3. Where are you going next?
4. What did you miss about your favorite place?

The most popular first visits?
River Stop Saloon. (“great owners, that care about the people of the community”)
Followed closely by Newaygo Brewery and Blind Squirrel.
Northern Trails fared well and Sportsman’s received several nods.
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And we had others who got some honorable mentions.
“The breakfast skillet was awesome. Best breakfast in town.” were the words for Diner Between the Dams.
And speaking of breakfast… “ Breakfast wrap and a double mocha cafe. Best way to start a day.” said a Koffee Kuppe fan. 
Blind Squirrel got kudos for their shrimp tacos and the RS Saloon impressed with their steak fajita salad and Philly cheesesteak.

Then there was this tribute to Northern Trails.
“The warmth we feel and how we are genuinely welcomed whenever we go there, (as well as seeing the amazing staff including our favorite and best server Tina), is why Northern Trails is almost always our first choice!! And always our favorite place to go to relax and feel comfortable hands down!!!”
The next place they were going to go? Back to Northern Trails.

What folks missed the most?
Many entries mentioned seeing familiar faces at their favorite sites.
 As one reader responded while referencing Sportsman’s “The people & great food. Who doesn’t love feeling like family while enjoying an amazing meal they didn’t have to cook?”

But our favorite response came from a Lunch Pail customer.
What did you have?
“My kids had grilled cheese kids meals.”
What did you miss? 
“Someone else doing the dishes and wiping the table. Being able to leave.”
Where will you go next?
“Nowhere. The kids were terrible and are out of practice being in public.”

Bon Appetit Near Northians

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