Vander Mill Grand Rapids — Restaurant in Grand Rapids

This is my favorite smash burger in Grand Rapids. Great contender for Poutine Week, too.

Poutine Week 2025: Orchard Pig - $12: The amazing crispy house fries were medium cut and cooked wonderfully. The smoked pulled pork with the apple-sage gravy, julienne apples and chopped scallions was a surprisingly great combination. The apple went really well with the pork. My wife was a little in disagreement with the onion later, but I thought it was great. The white cheddar cheese curds were amazing and in perfect proportion to balance it all. For the price, it is really high up on my list this year to vote for them this year.

Classic Smash Burger - $12: “Every Tuesday, burger & pint - $12.” (Facebook) I stopped by and tried their Tuesday special. It is the best deal I’ve seen in Grand Rapids for a burger. It was really good, included more fries than almost any other burger, and includes a pint of beer of your choice. NO ONE beats this deal in Grand Rapids, but it is Tuesday only.

The burger patties are true smash burger style. They were between medium and medium well, thin smashed though just slightly on the thick side, very juicy, caramelized, and just the right amount of seasoning (not too much salt).

As good as the patties are, the cheese was out of this world. For me, the cheese makes or breaks it. It has to be melty, throughout, the right savory flavors, not too much, and not too little. This one hit it out of the park! There are two smaller slices, one on each patty. It is about a quarter pound of meat and that is just the perfect amount. And having it with smash patties, you can keep it throughout the meat very well. I just came to appreciate smash burgers a LOT more.

The toppings were good. I was so overwhelmed by the rest, I honestly didn’t pay much attention, but it was well balanced. The brioche bun was soft and held up well.

Normally, the burger is $15, only comes with chips and no pint. If you need a place for a Tuesday burger, look no further. This is THE place

Fries (comes with the burger): LOTS of fries. You are not going home hungry. They are battered and fried, slightly thicker crispy outside, full and soft inside (slightly more dense). They were ever so slightly on the darker side, but well within tolerance (and actually my preference).

Sparkling Cherry Cider (comes with the burger): Non-alcoholic, but counted as the “beer” for the Tuesday special. It was super smooth, but still had a “sparkle” (very slight carbonation). It was full bodied in cherry flavor, and semi-sweet.

My friend was able to sample some of their ciders before settling on his choice.

Service: Extremely kind, positive, helpful, and accommodating. Our food was served fairly quickly. There were not a lot of people when we visited.

Atmosphere: Polished and professional. There are high and low tables with matching chairs. There is at least one half booth setup. There is also a bar with bar stools. There is also what they called a mezzanine behind the bar overlooking the mill. They also have outdoor seating. They mentioned when I inquired that they have plenty of options for events.

Conclusion: This is one of the best lesser known restaurants in West Michigan. They appear to have an awesome cider mill going on and their attention to detail is astounding. I should have made this place a priority a long time ago.

Visited on a Tuesday at 8pm for the burger and Saturday at 3pm for...

I’m not one to complain about customer service as I am in the customer service industry and know how hard it can be, but tonight was frustrating to say the least. My wife and I have lived a few miles away from Vander Mill the last 2 years and have really been wanting to try it, but haven’t had the chance. Beautiful place and it was a beautiful night so we requested to sit outside. We brought our 2 year old and infant twin boys with us and they put us out at a picnic table. For 30 minutes my wife and I watched every table around us get served. Not one time did a waitress or waiter stop at our table or even acknowledge us. We clearly had not been helped and it was quite astonishing that not one of the 3 waiter/waitresses working the outside tables noticed that our table was empty. No water, no drinks, and 0 service. For 30 minutes! With 3 kids! Usually restaurants rush around for you when you are brave enough to bring your children out to eat haha. After the last time the waitress helped the table next to us and blatantly ignored us we decided we would take off, and we politely mentioned to the hostess that we never got served. Not once haha. I’ve heard good things about this place, but hard to say I’m willing to give it another chance after tonight. Really disappointing. I hope someone reads this and checks who was on staff the night of 5/4 at around 6PM, and politely reminds them to...

Vander Mill is a hidden gem that offers a perfect blend of comfort, quality, and charm. From the moment you walk in, the warm, rustic ambiance sets the tone for a fantastic dining experience.

The food is outstanding—whether you’re in the mood for hearty comfort dishes or something a bit more refined, their menu does not disappoint. The grilled chicken sandwich was cooked perfectly with great flavor and toppings. Their French fries were cooked with exact amount of crunch. Grilled cheese and burger looked delicious.

A great selection of Hard Ciders. Juicy, dry and flavorful! You can get a flight of just a single glass.

Service is another highlight. The staff is friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable about the menu. Even on a busy night, they ensure that guests feel welcomed and well taken care of.

If you’re looking for a cozy spot with delicious food, a welcoming atmosphere, and top-notch service, Vander Mill is definitely worth a visit. Whether you’re stopping by for a casual dinner or a special occasion, you’ll leave happy and full.

Would definitely recommend and will be...