Trailside Restaurant

Remember the cafeteria food you got in elementary school back in the 60s? You know, canned mushy green beans, mashed potatoes that resembled yellow goo? Well if not, eat here and remind yourself of those days. And my $ 9.95 salad had about $ 2.00 worth of ingredients. To be fair it is a small village diner but if you like good food, avoid this place.

My family and I had lunch there today because of a Double JJ patron review and did not see bargain prices, the food was good but was nothing special. You can find food like that at almost all family diners in higher populated areas for less money.

The Trailside Inn was a fantastic dining experience. Our party sampled the fried chicken, chicken salad, chile, perch, french dip and corned beef hash. Everyone loved the food. Then came the amazing pies. We tried banana cream, coconut cream, lemon meringue, oreo ice cream pie slices. All were outsranding. Plus, the waitstaff brought many different items to help entertain a cranky 2 year old. Two words — Eat Here!

This place was good — we had breakfast here while shopping in New Era and Shelby (we’re from Hart). The gentleman sitting next to us had fried chicken and said it was really good (it looked good) — it’s all he ever eats there. Then we had apple and caramel pie — homemade of course — that was tart and sweet at the same time. We’ll be back for sure. Thanks!

Just stopped in here for breakfast after a stay at Double JJ Resort. Walking into the place will make you smile. There is an Easter tree, old diner feeling decorations and pictures all over the walls. While the service is extremely slow, the waitress could not have been sweeter. While you wait for food there are little games on the table and fun historical pictures to read. But, the food here was absolutely amazing. Two boys had the ultimate omelette and were very happy with their decision. I had the corn beef sandwich and it was heavenly. We did not expect the food to be as good as it was based on location and the first look at the place but boy, were we pleasantly surprised. Absolutely will be coming back!

Attention Double J Ranch Patrons: this is where you should eat! After dinner with a family of four at the dude ranch’s steak house, that set us back $ 90 for sub-​par food (and that is being generous), we spent less than $ 30 for a MUCH BETTER dinner here the following night. But it is far more than about the money. This is like stepping back into a classic diner in the 1950s or 60s; wonderful dinner specials and breakfast all day. I had perch. It was freshly battered in-​house. Their coleslaw was house-​made. Fries house-​made. The rest of the family had breakfast, which was great as well. We were told they bake a turkey every day. Even the music in the restaurant was vintage. Our waitress was, simply put, amazing. As another poster reported, they have their own coffee mugs. I asked if I could buy one. She just gave me two. Who does this kind of stuff these days? They do and they do it well. The only regret we have is that we didn’t discover this place sooner. We only live an hour and a half away and we will return because it is that unique.

We stopped at the Trailside Inn for dinner after spending the afternoon at Lewis Farm. After a horrible breakfast experience at the Lighthouse Grill we weren’t in the mood for another ill wrought adventure in dining. Fortunately however, we were pleasantly surprised by this place. When we walked in I was immediately reminded of a Grandma’s house, vinyl flowered table cloths, old photos on the wall, the smell of roast beef cooking and Elvis playing on the record player. I ordered the hot roast beef sandwich that comes with home made mashed potatoes and gravy which was delicious and finished off with the awesome home made blackberry pie al a mode. Yum! My mom for the Trailside burger which she raved about and my husband got the rib eye special which he said was tasty. The wait staff was so sweet and our food came out promptly! I would recommend.

Breakfast at Trailside is worth the trip. They have wonderful breakfasts and we love the people working there. The pumpkin pancakes are the best! The town is small, but friendly people. We ALWAYS have breakfast here. Lunches and dinners don’t seem to be as good — but if you want home cooking, then give it a try.

Went here for Breakfast in July 2012 because the food at Double JJ Ranch was so bad. It took us 45 minutes to get our food, never filled our waters, I only got 1 refill for my coffee, 1 of the 3 orders was wrong. Don’t even bother going here — the food is average at most. The wait staff said that 2 cooks walked out; hence the wait.

I love this place. The owner treats you like family. The food is awesome. Its nice to get real potatoes and not fake ones. The service is nice too. I am edited. They have raised there prices on everything. So I have stopped going there.

I took a gamble driving a bit out of the way on a tight trip home from Mears, Mi (since I couldn’t justify eating breakfast there again!) Like the first reviewer said… I was just hoping they were still in busines. By the grace of God and good cooking they were!
First thing, walk in and seat yourself. Second, don’t bring your cousin’s rude wife… she’ll just make u feel bad for the slightly older service staff that couldn’t be sweeter or more effective. I recognize the real value of a restaurant that quickly fills my table a couple plates at a time instead of carrying a giant tray and stand for serving. They need all the extra restaurant space for seating because it’s seriously that GOOD!
We came during Michigan’s asparagus season, and a quick scan of the chalkboard menu told me I’m ordering asparagus soup and a very large slice of prime rib with eggs. Nah, I actually ordered a specialty omelette but I couldn’t stop staring at my cousin’s giant slice of prime rib! I never tasted that, but luckily I was able to nab some of the best breakfast sausage I’ve tried in awhile from his son while he wasn’t looking. Everyone loved their meals and the soup was a huge success.
I credit the darling ppl at this restaurant. We crashed their Sunday w 4 messy Chicago kids, 3 adults and a psychotic blond… and they couldn’t have been kinder. The nice lady who has probably been bussing tables there since the late 1970’s even took the time to tell me exactly why the Christmas tree was still up in June.
Good answer and God bless!

We recently visited the Double JJ Ranch in Rothbury, we were desparate to find somewhere local to eat to get us away from cluster of Double JJ restaurants that cost and arm and a leg.
We found our little piece of culinary heaven in the Trailside Restaurant. The Tailside is a true mecca of home cooking in a small town that you’ll miss if you blink.
I knew from the moment that we walked in the Trailside that I was going to like it, they had a fully decorated Easter Tree just inside the door. The menu was filled with adds from just about every company in town and they had their own coffee mugs with local ads on as well.
We tried it out one evening on our own… date night. I had the all you can eat fish which was awesome. The light breaded batter on the Pollack had a delicate flavor that you usually don’t get from a small out ot the way restaurant. Fries were also top notch, and the slaw had a sweet creamy sauce that I enjoyed. My wife had the pot roast which was tender and perfectly flavored. The cups of coffee and soft drinks never went dry and the old town service was second to none.
After our wonderful experience we decided to take the entire family to the Trailside for breakfast. Good food was had by all. Quick service, which is necessary with our brood, and great pancakes, waffles, and omlettes.
So, if you happen to get to the Double JJ or even the Rothbury Festival, take the short trip to New Era and visit the Trailside Restaurant. Places like this are not easy to find and the few that are left are falling by the wayside with the stagnant economy.
They need your patronage. You won’t regret stopping her