Black Sheep Pub — Restaurant in Alpena

I chose this restaurant because they had a ribeye steak dinner available on the menu and that’s what I had a taste for. I ordered the ribeye medium. Generally with the ribeye if you order medium, that’s enough to render the fat and you still have a nice really juicy steak. I have never had a ribeye that was bordering on tough. This one was. It was a little bit over cooked, but again I’ve never had a tough ribeye, anywhere else or from my own kitchen. I had a choice of potato, which was baked, french fries, or their homemade potato chips. The last time I was here in June, the potato chips were slightly burnt tasting. I was hungry for a baked potato Loaded up with sour cream and butter. I got the smallest baked potato I have ever been served in a restaurant with a steak. The potato was put into a piece of foil, obviously after it was cooked. It was a microwaved baked potato. The only way you get hard spots in a baked potato is by putting it in the microwave. I should’ve taken a picture of all this, but at the beginning of the meal, my goal is not to preview a dinner. After ordering, I sat for a while, and then caught my waitresses attention, and ask if I could possibly get my side salad out before the rest of my dinner. The kitchen was not busy with orders at the time as most of the patrons were just drinking at the bar. When she brought the salad out, she said oh they had just made it. I ordered an old-fashioned cocktail with Woodford reserve. The sliced orange garnish, looked old and there were a couple tiny pieces of ragged maraschino cherry in the bottom. When I was here last June, I had an awesome Reuben sandwich. I had hopes for a great dinner tonight, but they really did not deliver. I don’t think I will...

In times of COVID, one must temper one's expectations. I stopped in for a weekday lunch, as I was on vacation and was in the Alpena area. Apparently, this 4th of July week, so was everyone else. I sat at the bar, and noted that Susan was the only regular staff on the floor and bar, and she was HUSTLING (in the classic sense of the word, meaning working her tail off, not the modern definition of trying to score side jobs). Most patrons were understanding and patient, though some seemed to forget that we're living in a unique period of history right now.

Just because Michigan recently opened up fully for business doesn't mean that businesses can instantly get back up to pre-2020 levels of infrastructure at the snap of impatient customer fingers.

Nevertheless, Susan did everything she could for every table, as promptly and as courteously as possible. As the place filled up, they did have to warn a party of 4 that space was limited, and just completely turn away a party of 12. Again, temper your expectations.

The same supply chain issues that affect all restaurants didn't spare Black Sheep, of course, so some things on the menu simply weren't available. No matter, it's a bar/pub/tavern in Northern Michigan. So burgers and fried foods are a-plenty.

Once more: TEMPER. YOUR. EXPECTATIONS.

Don't go in expecting three 3 Michelin Star duck confit and Chilean sea bass. Go in for a good burger and northern Michigan sensibilities with some British Isles decor and malt vinegar for your "chips" (fries), and you'll be alright.

EDIT 4 YEARS LATER: I still make Black Sheep one of my regular stops when I'm in the area, which is a couple of times a year. Happy to say that the food & service are...

When I visit Alpena, I try to hit local places. I decided to visit The Black Sheep. I had a craving for potato skins but didn't want to hit a burger joint and this place has them. There doesn't appear to any parking except for on the street. There is a parking lot in the back but I don't think it's for here. I saw signs saying unauthorized vehicles would be towed, so I parked on the street. Upon my arrival, I stood in the doorway for a few minutes before being told that I could sit anywhere. There was no sign saying to sit or wait. Once I did sit, it took a about 5 minutes for him (the same guy who told me to sit anywhere) to come to my table but it felt longer and I contemplated leaving. In his defense, he was the only one serving tables and it was busy. He showed up and took my drink order and quickly came back with my drink and then took my food order. I ordered an appetizer at 6:05, along with my entree. As of 6:32, I still had yet to receive either item. At that time, he came to the table and told me that, for some reason, my order didn't make it to the kitchen. Five minutes later, my potato skins came out. 15 minutes later, my entree came out. I ordered the Shepherd's Pie. It was a bit smaller than I expected but it was pretty good. He never came back to check on me but, again, he was really swamped. I feel like I could have left without paying and they wouldn't have noticed. I was going to give this place 3 stars but given that he had ZERO help and he discounted my meal, I gave it 4 stars. I might try it again when I'm back in town. Sorry about the potato skin photo.  I was so hungry, I forgot to...