Deer Lake Back Court Restaurant — Restaurant in Independence Charter Township

We've been going out on weekends in Clarkston for years, but because of long waits to be seated (especially during Covid), we began going to Back Court, a place I knew of from being a member at adjoining Deer Lake Raquet Club. Over the past few years we've been to Back Court maybe 10 times, and we've always been impressed with the quality and preperation of our meals, the top notch waitstaff, and the relaxed atmosphere. The bar is also very inviting. Most recently, a Saturday, one friend and I had AMAZING prime rib (large portion) with an incredible au jus/zip sauce, while our other friend said his balsamic salmon was excellent. The sides were tasty, and the breadsticks were fresh out of the oven (and are in themselves reason enough to go to Back Court!). For our 3 meals, appetizers and soft drinks, the bill was under $100. Before leaving, we remarked to our server that we couldn't understand why people wait 30-60 minutes to be seated at other local restaurants (often for a mediocre meal), while we just ate at one of the best places in the area and its almost empty! Our waitress replied that people often don't realize Back Court is there (entrance isn't very conspicuous), or that its only for members of Deer Lake Raquet Club (because it shares the same building). -So I'll straighten things out- The entrance is on White Lake Rd side of building, under overhang and up some steps (between huge greenhouse-type pool enclosure and the front door of the Raquet Club), and BACK COURT IS OPEN...

Friday and Saturday prime rib on the sign brought us in on Sat. Aug. 24. The website indicated opening at 4 p.m. We arrived at 4:20 for an early dinner, two young women greeted us and said "sit anywhere." There were 2 people at the bar, two bar patrons leaving and two of us at a table - 6 people in the entire restaurant.

The bartender shared her dilemma with growing Saturday business with a couple at the bar. After 15 minutes of listening to the bar tender explain all her social media strategies, walking past us twice without so much as a word and never seeing a server we decided that might be why they were having problems getting customers.

We decided to leave having never been served even a glass of water. On the way out we approached one of the young women and asked if she was our server - no I'm not a waitress was the response...we decided to spend our money elsewhere. So we can't rate the food, and the service was non existent.

As a local, Deer Lake is not an unknown to us and I have hosted and attended many events there and found the service and food to be excellent. Social media is one way to bring in customers, but it's also a way for customers to share their poor...

We just discovered this restaurant that has probably been around forever. The food is good, the service is good and it's not overly packed like every other restaurant in Clarkston. It gets a good crowd and they have entertainment on Friday nights. Our favorite...