Dockside – Torch Lake

This place would never survive if it were not for its location. Sub par food quality for the $, and inept waitstaff. I’ll go to Alden and walk into town from now on. I gave dockside many chances as I spend every weekend in the summer on torch, and for 3 summers ate there at least twice a weekend.

Ordered the spinach, artichoke chicken wrap and was very disappointed. Pretty much a wrap with lettuce, lots of dressing and a couple pieces of boiled, tasteless chicken. Also, the «chips» included were tortilla chips straight out of a bag, no salsa or anything, just the plain chips. Over priced for the poor quality food. I won’t be back again.

This is a fun place to take people and they are always busy on Thursday with the burger special. It is noisey so conversations are sometimes difficult.

Dined on a Friday evening for the fish fry.
Busy, could tell it would take a while to get your food. 35 minutes after taking our order the food came out. Nothing to rave about, grade C, kind of goes w the price of $ 12.00.
Had to flag wait staff down for a second round of beers.
Received bill and they charge for ice tea refills! Should have had her drink beer, would have been cheaper!

Yes, there are probably places with a little better food… maybe even better service. But sitting on the shores of beautiful Torch Lake makes up for any possible shortcoming you’ll find. But none were found on this trip…
This was our third trip to The Dockside, and the best one yet. We got there about 1:30pm on a sunny, beautiful Friday (80 degrees) as we were driving up to Boyne City for a boating event. Got an awesome seat on the west side of the deck, so we had a perfect view of the lake. The place was very busy, but the service was excellent nonetheless – our smiling servers were prompt and very helpful.
I enjoyed a couple mugs of Short’s excellent Bellaire Brown, which went down smoothly. I was famished, so ordered up a smoked chicken Quesadilla – absolutely first class. The wife got some humus and chips, and she said it was some of the best humus she’s had.
There’s nothing like sitting by the water, watching the boats go by… and this is a great place to do it. The channel from Torch Lake into Clam Lake runs right by the restaurant, so you can enjoy a relaxing parade of powerboats strolling past. Of course, some pull over to dock – like the sharp 29′ Fountain offshore speedboat that rolled up right after we sat down. Nice.
I’ve never been here on a weekend night during the summer; I imagine the place gets pretty nuts later at night – when the refugees from the Torch Lake sand bar find there way here.
So on this trip, The Dockside gets 5 stars. This part of MI gets better and better; I’ve been coming up here for 50 years, and I can remember when the building that houses The Dockside was an IGA grocery store, and the little frame building next door was a Pancake House.
For more on this beer lover’s MI trip:

I had tje quesadilla… awesome. get a side of guacamole with it. My companions had burgers that were delicious. Substitute onion rings or sweet potato chips for fries. The best part was the service. Kasey brought me a cold beer and a great meal in a speedy and professional manner. I’ll be back!

Great burgers, cold beer and very nice views from the patio. Service was friendly and quick.

Service is horrible so is management!!!
Don’t view you opinion or they will ban you.

The Dockside is now open for the season Thursday thru Sunday until May then its 7 days a week!!! Yippeee it must be Spring in Michigan.

Outdoor views and food is best in the area. Great sandwich platters and draft beer. We visit every time we come to Torch Lake and have never been disappointed

This was such a fun, casual night. Think bench seating, pitchers of beer, and greasy grub. I loved it.
Kid-​friendly, patient wait staff, amazing burgers.

We travel up to the Dockside every chance we get! I enjoy sitting outside and watching the boats go by or pull up. Fried pickles are great, only have tried a few sandwhices. Have not had a bad experience yet! The weekends in the summer do get a little crazy, but it’s fun.

Had the Perch tacos, nicely made with a slaw. Great view of the water with outside seating. Inside has some games for passing time. Excellent service. Onion rings are thin and crispy, sweet potato fries come with a chipotle dipping sauce that has a lot of flavor. Great place!

We had a great time yesterday at the Dockside!
The food was good. I had the perch sandwich with fries (which were eerily reminiscent of Ore Ida crinkle fries…), hubby enjoyed a wrap sandwich, and the kids barely made a dent in their grilled cheese and hot dog (not the Dockside’s fault — they were already worn out from the boat ride!).
As others have stated, it was all about hanging out on the deck in the sun to eat. The staff were all festively attired in red, white and blue too.
Luckily I didn’t have to change a diaper at this stop, but the women’s rest room door did indicate the availability of a changing table. IMHO, they should get one in the men’s too, so mama can get a break sometimes ;)

I could have sworn i wrote a review last year? oh well. Still great. Torch lake is awesome. dock side is a cool place to go on your boat and get some food and drink. i got the olive burger and it was really really good. got a side of sweet potato fries but i think the must have eaten some on the way to the table; they didnt give me much. good though.
probably a fun place to go for a game or something too or at night to drink and have fun with friends. i was with family so couldnt have that kinda fun. great food though and amazing atmosphere and history.

Can’t find a better place to grab lunch on a beautiful spring or summer day.
Summer’s not complete without a trip to Dockside!

Dockside is about the setting, especially in the middle of a Michigan summer.
The food is pretty good, not great. The water tastes like it has waaay too much iron, but the ambiance is awesome. It’s just so calm and inviting, with seating indoor and out. (We sat outside at the picnic tables.) When you are spending a great time at Torch Lake with great friends, it’s important to eat while you drink. Stay hydrated. Watch others who are also on vacation, as well as the locals.
It would get five stars if the menu was better and the water didn’t taste like something out of a Stephen King novel, but it’s a must stop in Northern Michigan!

What is better than driving the boat through Torch Lake mid-​afternoon to eat at a yummy American-​style restaurant? Always such a treat to dine at Dockside. Great for people watching… and boat watching for those of you who are into that. The food is GREAT. But then again, I hardly ever complain about food. :)
Been coming here for years & I am happy to see it still doing well!

I’m not kidding when I say it’s not summer until you’ve been to The Dockside. This is northern Michigan fare at its finest; the menu isn’t as limited as your standard variety bar food, but it isn’t as complex as some higher-​end restaurants either. They also have a fully stocked bar, so you’re covered no matter what beverage you’re craving to beat the heat.
I’ll tell you right now though, it’s not the food that will bring you back to this place time and time again. There is nothing quite like sitting on the outside deck at The Dockside on a warm summer day, drinking a cold beer and watching boats motor past on the channel to and from Torch Lake. The fact that this place sits right on Torch Lake should sell you right off the bat; add cold beer and juicy burgers, you should be getting in your car (or boat) and heading there NOW.
In their off season they have Thirsty Thursdays, awesome specials on beer and burgers.
Check them out, I promise you’ll be planning your next visit before you even leave.

You’re up in the woods next to a lake, sun shining hot and the water waving coolness…
Cold beers, fried goodness and smiley servers.
Could you want anything more?
Just no wake your way up to the dock or drive on down and enjoy the warmth this place resonates.
Do iT!