Prairie Lake Tavern
64641 M-66Last weekend was NaNa’s birthday. She asked if we would meet them for lunch somewhere and of course, the answer was yes.
We were initially going to meet closer to Three Rivers at Happy’s Landing but it was kind of hot and miserable outside and we wanted to do that because they have a cool looking patio.
J and her mom discussed a couple other ideas until her dad and I essentially said, “What about Prairie Lake Tavern” at the same time.
Prairie Lake Tavern is on M-66 and Prairie Lake Road right on Prairie Lake in Burr Oak Township near Sturgis. The small restaurant sits right on the road as you’re coming around the curve on M-66. This is one of my in-laws favorite places and they go there often just to sit and the bar for a meal and a couple drinks.
We walked in a little after the lunch rush on a Saturday afternoon. It was just three of us and J’s parents. L was at a figure skating camp at Western Michigan, so she missed out.
The restaurant has a log cabin feel on the inside. There are a lot windows letting in natural light but there also hanging lamps in the shape of lanterns that add a soft glow once it gets dark.
It was a fairly nice day out and there is a great covered patio so that’s where we headed. The outside area keeps the rustic log cabin them going. The patio feels more like a covered deck. A lot of the tables have artwork done by local artists and the chairs are more like metal patio chairs than restaurant style chairs. There are ceiling fans that keep the air moving and large heaters for the winter months. We didn’t go to our first choice because of the heat but this patio stays cool enough that you can still enjoy eating outside but no battle the high temps.
A waitress followed us out and asked about drinks. There was no drink menu that I could find and I didn’t feel like asking so I just got a Pepsi. I should have looked at the taps on our way past the bar. They did have Two Hearted and Oberon which I probably would have gotten if I had saw it.
J asked about drinks and the reply was “We can make anything you want.” Her mom got a Tito’s lemonade so she did the same.
Both J and her mom were intrigued by one of the specials. It was a cold Strawberry Watermelon soup. It came out pretty quickly after we ordered. The soup was served with whipped cream on top. J’s mom liked it and ate the whole bowl. J just called it “interesting” and didn’t eat all that much. She said it wasn’t as sweet as she was expecting.
The menu is pub food but it’s a little bit fancier pub food than normal.
I did The Prairie Burger. This sandwich is a prime burger topped with deli shaved ham, pepperjack cheese, lettuce, tomato, and a chipotle mayo on “our traditional bun.” The sandwich was really good. The burger came out slightly pink with a good char on the outside. The ham was crispy around the edge and adde that pork taste without bacon. The Chipotle mayo was spread on pretty thick so once I got most of it off, I was left with just a little bit of a kick without all the sloppiness of mayo. The sandwich came with a pretty large pile of skin on fries which rounded out this tasty meal.
J’s order was one of the lunch specials. She picked the BLT wrap. This sandwich is pretty much what you expect it to be. Lettuce, tomato and bacon wrapped up in a tortilla. There was quite a bit of bacon in this wrap and not as much lettuce as some places try to fill the wrap with. Her meal came with chips but she upgraded to the fries.
The waitress brought B a kids meal after we sat down. On one side was the food options, on the other was a coloring page that kept him busy for most of the meal.
He actually would have eaten any of those but he chose the chicken tenders. He got two big, juicy tenders alongside some fries. The waitress brought him more than enough ranch and he ate…..about half a tender. Not because they didn’t taste good…he just refuses to eat meals with the rest of us. J’s mom took them home and I’m sure enjoyed them later as a snack.
Even though it was her birthday, J’s mom grabbed the check. Adding in their meals, the cost was right around $90.
Prairie Lake Tavern is a place my in-laws go all the time but J and I had never been there. We don’t do a lot of meals out when we’re at their place. We do a lot of grilling so we have more time in the lake. We went out this time because it was a special occasion.
I love places like Prairie Lake Tavern. It’s just a comfortable spot on the lake with great food in a great atmosphere. This a great place to stop if you’re boating in St. Joe County or on your way to Sturgis.
SW Michigan Dining 