Empire Village Inn
| Address: | 11601 S Lacore Rd, Empire, MI 49630, USA |
| Phone: | +1 231-326-5101 |
| Site: | empirevillageinn.com |
| Rating: | 3.7 |
| Working: | 3–10PM 3–10PM 3–10PM 3–10PM 3–11PM 2–11PM 12–10PM |
Location
Photos 100
Reviews 25
MI
Mick Dutcher
On a recent trip to Sleeping Bear Dunes, we found ourselves to be very hungry and parched after a wonderful afternoon hiking the dunes. We stopped at the Village Inn on the way back from the Dunes and had a very enjoyable lunch. They have an excellent selection of pub style food ranging from salads to sandwiches and some EXCELLENT burgers. Being parched, we also enjoyed some tall glasses of icewater, but found ourselves wanting a little more, so after re-hydrating, we were happy to see an excellent selection of both micro-brews and macro-brews on tap. :-) They have a fair-sized parking lot on site and while the entrance is certainly handicap accessible, it is a small establishment. It might be a little challenging to navigate the tables in the dining area with a wheelchair or stroller. Outside of that consideration, Id highly recommend them for a meal or snack if you are visiting the dunes and looking for a place to get some grub and a beverage. Cheers!
KI
Kim Evans
The Manager was very rude. He informed us there would be an hour and a half wait. That was fine, when we were seated he stuck 5 adults in a booth and offered us a chair for the end. When a table finally opened up after we were seated, I asked if we could move and was told the table was being sat and informed we should have taken the chair like he said. There was NO air conditioning and we sweated 45 minutes waiting for our food, when my "all you can eat perch" arrived there was a mountain of fries and 3 perch about 3" long, very pathetic. Our server was pretty nice but overall he ruined our experience and we will not be returning.
SE
Seth Blackman
Bad experience at the Village Inn. The pizza was just ok.. certainly not worth the high prices. I understand its a resort town, but the food isnt good enough to warrant those prices. Garlic bread was $7.50 for 6 small pieces. It should have been $6 w/order of pizza, so I was incorrectly charged. The service was poor. The waitress asked our kids for their drink orders before we got back to the table. Pretty shady! The worst was the loud and horrible music playing in the room. I dont need to hear F-bombs in every song in a family restaurant with my kids present. Very inappropriate. We certainly will never return.
ER
Eric M
17 October 2016 - Have been here a few times over the last few years. Pretty good pizza. Friendly service. A little pricey, $20 for a large pepperoni. A little slow too, but within reason for a small town. Calling ahead for takeout is definitely the way to go with this place. That way you can hang out at the beach a little longer. We had a 30 minute wait for one pizza on a seemingly slow Sunday afternoon recently. Considering its one of two restaurants in town its surprisingly good.
ET
Ethan Jannott
Came here, as it was one of the only places open past 10PM on a Saturday night. Let me begin with one thing, I like toast. Alright, so I ordered a medium pepperoni pizza for pickup. It was ready in 15 minutes when I arrived to get it and the total was $20. 20 bucks for the medium pizza? Pretty excessive. Also, the pizza was not good at all. It honestly looked and tasted like a freezer pizza. And not a Digorno either - worse. Much worse. I will not be eating here again.
JE
Jeff Wilcox
Always stopped here every year growing up when going to the dunes or coming back (was especially good after the dunes due to being exhausted!). My cousin and I have pretty much only ever gotten burgers and they are always fantastic. I think we also got pizza one time that was pretty good.
TO
Toe Hodgson
Great little side of the road bar and restaurant. Food is very tasty. The pizza is very good...nice crust. Friendly people working there and welcoming to the tourists. Try the black cherry cream soda! Prices are a little steep but when vacationing thats to be expected.
AN
Anne Backus
Great local place to eat. Was surprised how good the food was at the restaurant We had the Tim is a Jerk Chicken sandwich, The Lighthouse and the 22 sandwich and they were all delicious. And the Bumby cake was divine but plan to share that with the table, it is huge.
NI
Nimish Deshpande
The food was great, especially the feta and kebabs. Tasted awesome, me and my friends inhaled that. The wait staff was nice and polite and me and my friends enjoyed our experience there. Lastly the prices were reasonable.
CI
Cindy Dix
Happened on this little roadside place and the food was awesome!!! Amazing menu for small place in the country and delicious!!! Gemmas Bakery and Ice Cream was out of this world also!!! A must stop if you are in the area!
DR
Drina Strickland
So overpriced. Every side is $3.00. I got a grilled cheese and fries it was twelve dollars. It was pretty generic. Amazed so many people love it- its got the simple food style of a diner for three times the price
NA
Natalie Johnson
Amazing food, different menu. Came with a large party and tried many items on the menu and all were fsntastic! Great, fast service. Kids menu came on frisbee that they could take home. Highly recommend!
SA
Samantha Oleson
I have always loved the Village Inn. Although it is more of a bar than a restaurant, their food is incredible. The pizza is to die for. Service could be better though, but the food makes up for it.
MA
Mark Zimmerman
I had the pulled pork sand and it was huge and fantastic. A little pricey at $16 but it was easily a $10-$12 sandwich but maybe thats where I am from still a great sandwich and Id eat it again.
JO
Josh Davis
This is obviously a local favorite for a reason. Great food and drink, prices are a little higher than average for the same food downstate. Overall a positive experience, will be back again!
DA
Daniel Rozanski
Best Pizza in Empire! Dont complain about the Local "Bar" scene. Its a family friendly establishment. Also, try the home-made potato chips! Great service and the food normally comes quick!
MI
Mike Bixler
Came through on our way to Sleeping Bear Dunes. Great little spot. Pizza was fantastic. Great beer list. Sandwiches are yummy too. Very kid friendly. Highly recommended.
WI
WiLL S
+1 Two dollar cans of PBR. $1.25 cheaper than Arts in Glen Arbor. +1 Waaaay better grilled cheese than Friendlys. +1 Decent pizza. Better than the Village Inn in Suttons Bay.
NA
Nathan Parzuchowski
45 minute wait (after ordering) and $17 small pizza with burnt crust. Otherwise very good pizza. Beer selection below average. Prices like the rest of this county: insane.
JO
John Pascaretti
We stop here after spending the day at the Sand Dunes. Very cool place and family friendly. We love the pizza. Other food looks good as well. Give it a try.
PA
Paul HL
Food is okay, the service is not fast for a pizza. We could see the kitchen at the entrance, and a unhappy chef every time somebody is arriving, not great.
KE
Kelly Jacobs
Thanks to an over qualified manager, the food and service was outstanding!! Was treated like royalty. The building was humble looking, but didnt matter.
D.
D. Emmett
Stopped in after a trip to the dunes.....nice atomsphere..friendly staff....food was good...loved the menu....a must stop by and eat kinda place.....
JA
Jack Rosen
Friendly place, owner was able to make us a Whitefish Pizza after a moments thought. It was GREAT. Hope he keeps the recipe, well be back.... jr
BR
Brandon Simon
The wait for the food was atrocious, and the beer and pizza was overpriced. The pizza was great but for the price and wait Id go elsewhere.
