Westside Social — Restaurant in Grand Rapids

TLDR: Good food, nice atmosphere, good drinks, GREAT social fries!

I’ve visited this place a few times over the last year and have never been disappointed in my experience. No matter what time I’ve come in, I rarely have to wait to be seated. This time, I visited with my friend and her 4 year-old. They provided a kids menu with a coloring page and crayons, which was very entertaining for the kiddo.

We both ordered one of the special drinks- I forgot to get a photo of the name of it, so of course I forgot what it was called, but it was delicious and had sherry in it, in case you visit during the time that they are still offering the spring specials (see photo).

Kiddo ordered a cheeseburger and fries (which he didn’t touch 🤪) and his mom and I ordered the social grilled cheese (without ham- bc no meat!) and goat cheese tomato soup (it comes with the sandwich). I’ve been here a few times and have ordered other things- I do love the Lobster Mac, for instance- but I keep coming back for this dang grilled cheese and soup! We got social fries with the order, which are their French fries with garlic, butter and some other delicious spice, served with ranch or Chipotle ranch- although I just dip those bad boys into my tomato soup 😍. Kiddo didn’t eat his cheeseburger because he was stealing his mom’s grilled cheese- it’s THAT good - like “upon dipping sandwich into soup, 4-year-old’s eyes rolled into the back of his head” good.

I forgot to get pics of the food because I C was starving and just mowed down, but if you can imagine a thick tomato bisque made even thicker with goat cheese, you get the idea.

The atmosphere is that of a pub/diner and the wait staff is very nice and accommodating.

UPDATE: visiting with friends, we ordered the wet burrito, the Monte Cristo and my fave, the social grilled cheese (again 😅).

UPDATE: this time we got the LOBSTER MAC (lobster, house made five cheese sauce. roasted red peppers, chives, truffle butter. toasted bread crumbs- we got without bread crumbs) and the social grilled cheese with tomato goat cheese soup again 🤪.

I’ll be...

Outstanding. Outstanding. OUTSTANDING!

Ticking off the boxes since moving to the Westside just before the lockdown, we finally got to Westside Social. It's an underestimation to say it did not disappoint.

Aside from me personally having tried their Mac & Cheese and Meatloaf (Both amazing, btw) when Bridge St. Market sold the Social's ready-made take home items during the pandemic, dining at their establishment was a first for us.

My husband and I had an enjoyably perfect brunch today; everything from service to ambiance capped our morning. Initially and immediately greeted by Sylvia, we were taken to our outdoor table by a woman's whose name I'd forgotten to obtain. (Please forgive me whomever you are!) Both these women were stellar with their captivating manner and fun personas.

Soon after, our supernova server Matt stopped by to take our drink and food order. My other half in the mood for a screwdriver and the WS Signature Italian Style my cocktail of choice. We didn't get the bartender's name but he did them superbly!

Being in a carb mood, an order of Social Fries to start off was the just ticket. No sooner did we sip our beverages did Brason [sic] delivered our appetizer. It's not a stretch to say they're one of the best fries in the city.

Next up The Elvis and Waffles & Chicken arrived! Me absolutely loving every morsel of the former and my husband saying it was the best W&C he's ever eaten. And since we're transplanted Chicagoans, he knows that dish solid.

If our over-the-moon review of this fantastic eatery is not transparent enough, we give up.

Also, want to give a shout out to Eddy[sic] - she was another wonderful WS team member. Really, everyone of the those whom were mentioned are standouts in an incredibly difficult industry to work in, COVID-era notwithstanding. That each of these team members were personable and sincere while engaging with us during a very busy shift is quite a rare feat.

Thank you for a marvelous and memorable dining experience, Westside Social. We love that you're almost spitting distance from our house....

i had been here a few times in the past. we recently moved closer to the area, so i have been here a lot over the last year.

overall i like the place. food is good. always new and interesting beer.

but i am tired of being DISRESPECTED by the one bartender who always seems to be the one working whenever i am there.

i made polite small talk. i tried making dumb jokes (most people seem to like them, or at least pretend to). zero response from this person.

my last 3 trips i was very close to walking out because they would come over, give me a menu, then not come back for my beer order for about 7 minutes, knowing i’m only ordering beer if i’m there alone, while i watched them walking back and forth, looking for something to do. and my second beer order has always been a longer wait. they couldn’t stop talking to their co workers and friends while i sat there with an empty glass.

and i know i’m not the only one. i’ve seen it happen to others. if it weren’t for other employees walking by, wondering how long i’d been waiting, i may still be there.

maybe i wouldn’t have made it into work tomorrow morning because i’m waiting for my second beer or my tab, and they lock me in. then i lose my job, my wife leaves me. and billie turns to the streets.

billie is not built for the streets. she’s a suburb girl now.

tonight was the last straw. i will not be going back ( i know it’s not a huge loss for their bottom line, but someone has to start the revolution [ugh. again?])

i don’t want the offending party to be dismissed, but i would like a written apology and a guarantee that anytime i may try to revisit the site in the future (unlikely), if referenced party sees me, they must immediately alert a manager and an announcement to the entire establishment is made that they are not allowed to serve me because of their own selfish actions,

if this were a one time offense, i would let it go. and i have multiple times. but it’s been over and over and over and it keeps...