Tradewinds Restaurant — Restaurant in Mishawaka

This is for ( AMBER THOMAS ) The owner of Trade Winds Restaurant.. I was a loyal customer of Trade Winds, but not any more. I took someone to eat there 3-1-2025, and it was the worst experience of my life. Let's start with the server from, well you know.. She was rude, and had a major attitude problem. She was rushing, she didn't smile, and when as a senior, and asking for the senior discount that was just a joke to her as she asked if I was using cash I said no a debit card, she then said with a snotty attitude you have to use cash to get the discount, BUT NICE TRY THOUGH. We never asked for anything from her, other than the original order, we did not make her run. She wanted us out of her section, she made that quite clear with her actions, her attitude, and rushing us, cutting into our conversations. The whole experience was unprofessional, and it was unpleasant being there.. Now the food, I had my usual meal liver and onions, mashed potatoes. It was $8.99.I looked on the website and it wasn't changed, till I got to the restaurant not only did it change to $12.99, but the portion size got smaller. So I paid more for less that seems to be the norm these days though. My person ordered biscuits and gravy, she loves that, so I guess it was bad she took 1 bite and the rest was left on the plate. When I called the Trade Winds to speak with a manager I was told he would start shift in an hour, but I called back not long after, and he answered the phone. He answered, and nothing came of the conversation, he said he'd look in to it, manager speak for getting unhappy customer off the phone. I used to work in restaurants I know how it goes, but at least back in my restaurant days management would try to make things right, because they knew that customer could go somewhere else to spend those dollars. So back to the server.. I guess we sat in her section too long, she came over broke into an A-B conversation just to aggressively let us know she was leaving, and I had to settle my bill, she then slammed the check, and a pen down on the table, and said with attitude I'll take that when you're done.. I walked out of that restaurant mad, but thanks to the climate, and knowing what it's like to be in the service position I even though every fiber of my being wanted to pay the check, and blow her off as she didn't deserve any tip, I gave her a tip. I tipped her for her bad behavior, I paid for meal that wasn't eaten, and leaving there angry. Terrible service, awful server, came in thinking my meal would be one price because I looked, and found it changed from 8.99 to 12.99, and you get less food. Management didn't care, didn't offer anything, just figuring if I don't come back to your restaurant that Trade Winds won't go broke, and that may be true, but I'm sure that server treats others the way we was treated. We did nothing to her, we didn't run her, we was not unruly customers, that server just had major attitude, and we got that attitude dumped on us..

PS.. This is for L M the waitress. I took a larger party to a restaurant that had a 30 wait time, the server was beyond awesome, wonderful, friendly, and even though this place was swamped with waiting hungry customers the server we got was beyond awesome. We never felt rushed, she even came up to talk for a minute. Great food, great atmosphere, awesome server, and service. That awesome server got a generous tip, she was open, and friendly, with a great attitude. We didn't make her run, just original order, but she was very sweet. L M from trade Winds restaurant only received a tip out of respect for the profession, not for the ability to be nice, because she was...

One of very few places in this area that lets you order what you want to eat when they are open, rather then on some arbitrary schedule in which they are deciding your diet for you. Meaning if you want to get a Beef Manhattan at 7am, or a grilled cheese, instead of "breakfast" you can!

If "breakfast" is your thing, the bacon does seem to usually tend to default to the more chewy style that has become popular with those born after the Gen-X generation, that has lost the true wonder of bacon made until its black on the edges in a cast iron skillet. Fear not though, I have never had a problem when getting it properly crispy when I ask for it to be done that way. I have found the eggs to be a bit overly greasy more often this year, then in the past, but still good.

I personally consider them one of the best restaurants in the Mishawaka area, especially when being compared to most of the cafes in the south side of Mishawaka, that with few exceptions, are open extremely short hours and only serve "breakfast foods".

Which takes us to the next topic, their hours. They are one of the earliest restaurants to open, and they are one of the latest to close! While I would be in utter heaven, if they ever went 24 hours, being someone that prefers the late night hours, I appreciate they do all they can to keep open hours, far superior to what many in the area manage these days.

Environment is fantastic. There's enough light to see, but at a lower level, so that your eyes are getting a chance to rest.

Additionally, the booths are large enough, high enough, and separated enough, that even when busy, you still can manage a feeling of some privacy.

The menu is one of the largest ones in the area, and while I can think of a few things I would very much like to see added, there are not many.

The owners are very involved with the running and working in the restaurant, rather then just buying it and letting someone else run it, like so many in this area, and it shows in the quality of your meal and the service, at reasonable prices.

They even offer a small area, that has books, games, and puzzles, you can take to your table!

Finally, don't be afraid of the desert. I personally love the chocolate cream pie, but I have not had a desert from them I was...

It was a long time since I've been in a Tradewinds location. Being shunned upon as a low income family member while dating one of the Nelson\Garman daughters always made me feel unwelcomed.

Since the passing of such daughter I felt a need to visit the location where for 9 years we regularly enjoyed meals.

The Chicken Philly is the reason I always enjoyed Tradewinds. By far it was the best quality and most authentic version you can get out of an Indiana establishment. Rest assured more than 10 years later and their sammich is still the best.

They have since added a bar next door after closing their Osceola location. Which has helped the crowding they use to experience. The diner was quite enjoyable, from the quiet atmosphere to the low lighting and comfy feel. You could be heard with a normal low spoken voice and it was very soothing to have separation from drunken Indiana flatbillies looking to get crunk over a meal.

The food was amazing as it always was years ago. My philly was served piping hot and mouth watering in appearance. It unfortunately did not survive long enough for even the thought of a photo.

My daughter's double cheeseburger which I warned her wouldn't be like a fastfood joint, was more than she bargained for and half of it became my mind night snack from the refrigerator. She left very full and satisfied.

My wife experienced Tradewinds signature Philly steak n cheese, which is always as authentic as you can get here in Flatbilly USA, and upon the sight demanded return visits from us in the future. My family being reserved in their black hole skills also made half of this sammich available for my enjoyment in the midnight hours.

Needless to say Tradewinds proportions are always generous and extremely fair for the price requested. For a down to earth eating experience with fair pricing and wonderful food the entire family can enjoy, I would highly recommend Tradewinds...