That Early Bird — Restaurant in Grand Rapids

We had high hopes for this place as a first time customer. We enjoy trying new places, especially mom and pop or family owned places.

The atmosphere was.....as far as decorations and lighting is lovely, quaint, and laid back. The bathroom has an artistic animal/nature mural and is very simple, but clean.

When entering and walki g to counter, not very welcoming from a staff standpoint....bordered on almost "clinical and dry communication". You stand to order your food, then go sit down (ample seating choices), and they bring your food relatively quickly.

We ordered the Mensch, scrambled eggs, side of potatoes, side of smoked salmon, and side of chicken; (eggs were slightly undercooked for a scramble, heavy on the salt for the potatoes, chicken tasted like canned chicken with extra salt added to it, fish is raw [though very lightly smoked]; however the cheese compote and the housemade bread are the star of this dish)

also ordered cheesy grits (This dish was beautiful to look at (sorry forgot to take pics)...however, grits were sadly undercooked and slightly bland, though tasty sauce (that was pleasantly very spicy), and a tender (yet lackluster in flavor) pork belly addition; and side of bacon (bacon tasted good was thick though overpriced @ $5 for 3 pieces)

The kielbasa hash was tasty and the better of all the dishes we got (especially if you enjoy saurkraut).

The hot chocolate was basic and pretty much "meh" and not very hot....the cappuccino was nicely decorated, hot, and quite good.

Appreciative of a new experience but in comparison of the price vs food quality and overall experience, probably would not return.

We understand the owners have 2 other different restaurants in Grand Rapids (Little Bird and Quarantino's). While interested in giving them a try.....also feeling leary after...

The only reason we stopped here was because our usual coffee/brunch spot in East GR was extremely busy, and I had found this place on Instagram and thought it’d be cool to try. As soon as we walked in the cashier taking orders behind the counter was extremely unwelcoming and then proceeded to tell us they were “at capacity” so we’d have to go outside to eat and could only come back in to eat if another table (besides the ones that were already free) opened back up or she said we would have to take our order to go (this Information led my mom and I to settle on just getting coffee and a muffin rather than actual meals because it was 40 degrees outside and we didn’t want to freeze while eating). I understand there are coronavirus restrictions in place, but if you’re “at capacity” then you should probably remove the extra tables and chairs from your establishment or rope them off like every other restaurant does, so people don’t come in assuming they can dine in when they see free tables open only to be told they would have to dine outside in the cold. On top of the rude cashier and the having to dine outside issue, we waited on their patio for about 20 minutes for our two lattes, and the lemon poppyseed muffin I got was pretty dry and lacked flavor. I wouldn’t be as upset about the wait if the lattes were actually good, but they were subpar at best. The one redeeming quality of our experience here was that the girl making our coffee was friendly and apologized for the wait. Overall, if you’re looking for a nice place to get coffee or breakfast in East GR I would go to Outside Coffee Co., Brown Butter, Le...

We go here all the time because we love the food, but it seems like their counter help is extremely rude. They talk to each other and are laughing behind the counter....but as soon as you walk up to the counter their smiles go to frowns and they are very rude and not very helpful. They point to items and tell you to read the label vs actually helping out, they don't even welcome you when you come to the counter, they are just standing there with ZERO words said and just stare at you waiting to take your order like they are annoyed with you. I saw them do this to a kind older lady that said she has never been there before and needed so suggestions. They didn't give her any suggestions and he told her because I don't pick what you like for you. I read other reviews, so I know this just isn't us. Its obviously an issue, especially with one young gentleman and one lady with long reddish brown wild hair that usually braids it. What gives, if you hate customers that much find another job....and shame on the management for letting this happen so much. At Little Bird they are very nice...so not sure why this place is such a magnet for attitudes. We won't...