The Depot - Mackinaw City

Our group enjoyed a banquet-style meal here with preordered entrees. The waitress was outstanding; despite the busy atmosphere, she managed everything smoothly and was very attentive.

I dined here with a tour group, and the restaurant was surprisingly empty! My smothered chicken was disappointingly small and inedible—tough, dry, and oddly bitter, with very dark onions.

We had stayed away from this restaurant for several years after a couple of disappointing experiences. However, we decided to give it another shot this time since we had our dog with us.

We didn't encounter the negative experience that many others mentioned in their reviews. I ordered the chicken bacon ranch with fries, and it was incredibly flavorful and delicious. My husband had the fried white fish with fries, and it was cooked to perfection. The soft pretzels with beer cheese were also very enjoyable! The portions were generous. Yes, it was a bit pricey, but that's to be expected in a tourist town. Our waitress, Althea, was attentive and charming. Don’t let the negative reviews discourage you!

Wow! What a charming and nostalgic restaurant! There's so much history here! I really enjoyed the old photographs, especially since the place opened more than 100 years ago, if I'm not mistaken. The food is a bit pricey, but that's to be expected on a tourist island. The burgers we ordered were delicious, though we would have appreciated a little more BBQ sauce. One of the waiters only checked on us once, but overall, it's definitely worth a visit, especially if you're a train enthusiast!