Idler Riverboat & Dockside — Restaurant in South Haven

I usually enjoy writing these reviews because I typically am commending an establishment for their service and food quality. I do not like to complain but the service that we received at this restaurant was so awful, I felt I needed to briefly share our experience.

First, one of the people in our party of five has a seizure alert service dog. We walked up and she had the dog’s federal badge in hand and the dog had a vest. The waitress who said she had only been there two weeks, kept saying we had to leave that area because no pets or dogs were allowed. We explained to her that it’s a federal law and tried to educate her on service animal accessibility. She kept arguing and told us no. We gave her a service animal information card and told her to check with her manager. She came back and said yes the dog is allowed but we all highly recommend that you go to the bottom deck area. I told her we would go to the bottom deck area but that we legally did not have to.

Then, when we went down to the area where she told us to go to, there was only one table that could accommodate five set up. It was in the direct sun and all other tables in that area were in the shade or partial shade. We asked her if we could either put two tables together or add a chair to a four top. She said no there were no other options and we either had to take the one table that was in the direct sun in the 90 degree day or separate our group of five. We were the ONLY ones in the area. I know there are restrictions with Covid but there are not any regarding splitting groups of five and not putting two tables together. One person in our group is a restaurant owner and knows Covid restrictions. There was no reason she couldn’t accommodate. We have never felt so unwelcome or treated so rudely and unprofessionally in an establishment. We simply got up and left and ate at the restaurant next-door where we were treated well.

All five of us are business owners and we pride ourselves that our staff members treat our clients with respect and appreciation for their support. We simply expect the same treatment (which we normally get at most restaurants). We also take our staff training seriously and I would never have a staff member representing my business that did not understand the law regarding service animals and the ADA. How humiliating for someone to have to experience what she put my friend through. It’s very unfortunate that this particular waitress did not care about customer service or if she positively represented the business...

By far one of the best restaurants I've been to in a long time. Gotta admit if I'd been there as the Sun was setting. That would have just been the cherry on top, but let's start with appetizer. I felt like the spinach. Artichoke tip was literally made there. Like fresh, so good and the chips were made that day. I believe is what our waiter said, who was phenomenal Also offered more chips. Which was awesome so I was out on a date and we Couldn't stop talking about how fun the atmosphere was definitely bar scene. Definitely fun next. The food was so good. I had brisket sandwich with these redskin. Potatoes which were ridiculous. The sandwich was so good brisket, done right next my date. He had. I believe a chicken of some kind with the redskin potatoes as well. But his chicken was phenomenal so good. I would highly recommend trying everything on the menu cause it's very quick food. It's not like a big steak. You're not going to get that, but you're definitely gonna get some good burger bar food, so it's very, very, very and like I said,it's right on the river front kind of so great for dates. Great for just an evening out with friends. Definitely for a 21st birthday grab some drinks. Get some dip, just chill. And just have a great time so kudos. To you guys you guys have been in busines. It looks like for a while, so you guys definitely have it down highly recommend this place....

I don't think public seating is a good idea in a tourist town, why is there a hostess stand and someone standing there telling us to seat ourselves?! Also, we had to go to the bar to order our food, while we waiting for the three bartenders to finally stop and grab our order (when there was one small gaggle of ladies already in the ordering process..) she grabbed our drink order and my boyfriend ordered our appetizer and his burger and she walked off.. a second bartender finally walked up after a couple minutes and asked to help us. I think that was weird and ridiculous! I've worked in many restaurants and it was just weird. When we finally got back to our table the sunglasses I left to save the only table and the time had been stolen and the employees brushed it off, maybe have a system in place that a coaster can be flipped if a table is taken? When the food arrived my sandwhich was very dry and hardly had any pineapple which was the entire reason I even ordered it. The service was slow, the food is overpriced and not worth the wait. The only thing going for them is the possibility of sitting on a permanently docked...