Trailside Tavern | A Beloved Local Gem in Mesick, MI

Overview

Trailside Tavern, nestled in the heart of Mesick, Michigan, stands as a genuine small-town restaurant and bar where locals gather with ease and warmth. Located at 103 N Eugene St, this establishment captures the essence of a neighborhood hub, blending inviting atmosphere with hearty American fare. The space feels authentic and unpretentious, fostering a sense of community that’s hard to find in busier, more commercial spots.

The menu shines with familiar comfort dishes done well, with several standout options. The bourbon burger comes highly recommended—a juicy patty cooked to order, full of robust flavor, and paired beautifully with crisp sides like onion rings or sweet potato tots. Another crowd-pleaser is the Hot Honey Chicken sandwich, which balances a touch of sweetness with a subtle kick, making it a must-try for visitors. For families, the kids’ menu offers classic choices like chicken nuggets and Kraft Mac & Cheese, ensuring younger diners feel right at home.

Trailside Tavern goes beyond just lunch and dinner, offering a notably satisfying Sunday breakfast selection. Options like breakfast burritos, hearty biscuits and gravy, and pancakes make it an excellent weekend stop for locals and travelers alike. The casual dining experience here is enhanced by attentive service, even on busy nights. Servers like Kelly manage the bar and dining area with impressive efficiency and a welcoming attitude, creating a friendly vibe that encourages interaction among patrons.

The tavern’s crowd is a blend of residents who know each other well and visitors drawn by word of mouth, especially campers passing through the region. This makes for a space where stories flow as easily as the well-curated beverage options behind the bar. It’s a destination that offers both a taste of Michigan’s small-town charm and quality food crafted with care. Whether you are seeking a laid-back meal after an outdoor adventure or a sociable evening among locals, Trailside Tavern delivers on atmosphere, service, and satisfying comfort food.

Amenities & Services

Popular for

Lunch

Dinner

Solo dining

Offerings

Alcohol

Beer

Cocktails

Coffee

Comfort food

Late-night food

Quick bite

Spirits

Wine

Atmosphere

Casual

Cosy

What Customers Say

Amber from michigan

Dec 11,2025

5/5

The food was really good! Had the bourbon burger. It was kind of busy and only one waitress ( Kelly) doing the bar and all the tables. She did amazing keeping up on everything! Nice atmosphere you can tell the locals love this place all of them got along and talked to each other. Great small town restaurant bar.

Tricia Pitt

Dec 11,2025

5/5

Place was busy, service was excellent. I enjoyed the crispy chicken sandwich and homemade potato chips. My husband had the BLT. Which he said was on awesome bread. It also came with the homemade chips. We sat at the bar. No wait to be seated at a table or the bar.

Jennifer Byrd

Dec 11,2025

5/5

Found this place while I was camping in Wellston. Food was awesome, definitely try the Hot Honey Chicken sandwich if you go. The ladies were welcoming. Especially, when you’re a female and are solo. I was dealing with a Black Bear in my campsite and gave up on cooking lol went here 2 nights in row. Thanks again Girls enjoyed the food and the atmosphere! I will be back next time I’m in town!

Bernard Selven

Dec 11,2025

5/5

This is a great small-town restaurant bar! The food was genuinely good; I highly recommend the Bourbon Burger. While it was quite busy, our server, Kelly, was absolutely phenomenal. She was the only one managing the bar and all the tables, yet she kept up with everything amazingly well. The atmosphere is fantastic—it has a nice local feel where everyone knows each other. You can tell this place is a neighborhood favorite, and it deserves to be!

paul russell

Dec 11,2025

4/5

I nice N mi tavern - looks like decent adult beverage options. We had the bourbon burger at $14 we added onion rings and sweet potato tots one coke and it was $37 + tip. It was a good burger came well-done but tasted good. I would say cost is a tad high but today's world! The staff was very friendly and the atmosphere was tavern! I'd go back if in the area.

Jackie G

Dec 11,2025

5/5

Stopped on our way back to a cabin from TC. Kids were hangry. Delicious fried food. The hot chicken sandwich was amazing. Good French fries. Easy decent kids menu- came with French fries, drink and some scooby snack cookies. Family of 4 ate for 50 bucks

Melissa Gillin

Dec 11,2025

5/5

We made a stop here on our way home from up north. It was amazing. The service was incredible. We had our 6 month old and 3 year old. I was able to breastfeed with no judgment. The server was so incredibly thoughtful, offering us our caffeinated drinks for the road. I can not stop thinking about the burger I had. It was the Oliver burger and it was the best I have had. We ordered the soft pretzel for our 3 year old. It was HUGE, we ate the leftovers in the car. The chips that came with my burger were fresh and perfectly crunchy.