Lucy's — Restaurant in Grand Haven

I like to look at all aspects of a restaurant, from decor and cleanliness but especially service. This place is cozy and cute, especially the outdoor seating area. They had a one man entertainer playing the night that we were there. food was quite good as well. My lower review here is based primarily on the service and extreme lack of knowledge from the hostess working that evening. First, upon entering the restaurant, we asked her if there was music on the patio. She said she thought so, but wasn't sure when he was playing. After flagging down a co-worker, the waitress said, yes, he had been out there playing for over 30 minutes already. Left us wondering, how would the hostess not know that?? Second, after we ordered our food (one of the really good sandwiches, cannot recall which one), my husband went to ask for mustard. He went back inside and then returned telling me that the hostess said "we do not have mustard". What??? What restaurant does not have mustard? I've never heard of this. The same gal, the hostess, then came out and was seating another couple. We flagged her down and I asked again (truely not believing her answer earlier). Again, same hostess stated, "yeah, we don't have mustard". I said "hmmm I cannot believe that, can you go ask someone else?" She said she would go check with the kitchen staff. A few moments later she returned with a cup of honey dijon mustard. Our waitress showed up a minute or so after that and asked if we needed anything. I told her what happened and she rolled her eyes and said "of course we have mustard...sorry about that." My recommedation to this restaurant owner/manager and others is, please make sure the staff you are hiring to be the "information person" of your business is knowledgeable on the BASICS of...

My salad was just OK today. The menu (screen capture from their site attached) offered a Strawberry Feta salad, and I added the grilled chicken also listed on the menu. My friend and I were not initially in a hurry, but his wife called to say she was done shopping right after my salad was delivered. After a few bites of the salad (pictured), I got to the chicken below the feta, only to discover it was both cold and clearly not grilled. It rendered the entire salad average at best, compared to the dozens of very similar salads I've had all over the country since being more careful with my diet in the past 15 years.

I hurried to eat so that we could meet my friend's wife who was now waiting for us. I mentioned the problem to the server at the end of the meal, indicating that I was a disappointed, but wasn't sure if I remembered the actual menu description of the chicken correctly. I gave her my credit card at that time, so we could get moving. After what seemed like an extended time to process the charge, she returned with no comment on what I now know was a glaring menu error, handed me the charge slip and pen, and then rapidly moved on to take other orders.

If I'd have had more time, I'd have addressed it much earlier, so that's on me. Still, I'm disappointed that it wasn't addressed by either the server or a manager after the suspected error was brought to her attn, especially given the time it took to run the charge card.

My ratings are generally quite good, and I think this one fairly reflects my disappointment with an establishment that I know can do much better. The atmosphere was good, with a musician who did a great job with a variety of songs.

I'm not sure if I'll return to Lucy's, but if I do, I'll make darned good and sure my food matches the menu's...

I used to love Lucy’s but after they were closed (for so long!) and reopened, it’s not the same at all! Which is fine to change, but keep some of the good stuff at least. In my opinion, the menu is overpriced but I gave it a try, and the sandwich I had was so poorly made: it was so dry I checked to see if there was any mayo, it was small especially for the price, and tasted like it had been microwaved not grilled. Plus the side of chips tasted like a stale handful out of a ruffles bag. And the charcuterie board was very lack luster, like I put it together with dinner party leftovers at home. I appreciate that they made what they saw as upgrades to the space and it is very nice, but I feel like they lost a lot of quality and character. The backyard is a great space but the times I went after it reopened I heard staff arguing, and my service was very slow and rude. I’m not sure if they had a management change or something during the remodel but they lost my business. I love the back but if I want to have a drink outside, I’ll go to tip two with a view and support tip-a-few, who changed while maintaining the things people loved about them. I usually don’t write reviews but I was talking with some other locals who shared very similar opinions and experiences and some had not great things to say about management (can’t confirm them so won’t share). Basically I don’t want to spend my money there when I can get a sandwich anywhere else downtown. I used to come here all the time and I gave them quite a few tries once they reopened (I’ve worked in food, I know it takes some time to iron out kinks) but I’m done now. My business won’t break them but I wanted to share in case other locals were wondering a life-timers opinion and...