This family restaurant is a Mackinaw City jewel. I got the Old Fashion B & G (Biscuits and Gravy) Special. Everything about it was perfect. The Buttermilk biscuits were spot on. The sausage gravy had excellent seasonings. I couldn't have asked for anything better!

+3

Mica Gladding

This place is a Mackinaw City must! The breakfast is divine every time we go. The servers are always kind and attentive. The food is hot, delicious and plated very nicely! The French toast is my favorite. I love the syrups that they offer, and the toast itself is perfect. Not too dense or too light, and always consistently cooked all the way through. There is so much love and intention in all of the details. Please note that they have different hours in the fall/winter due to the busy season ending, but they are very clear about when those hours occur.

Debra Cramer

We chose this restaurant based on other’s reviews and it did not disappoint. After being seated we received prompt, friendly service. The food was delicious and brought to our table within a few short minutes, even though the restaurant was full. Even if you have a wait to be seated, it will be worth the wait as the food is homemade and served so promptly. Easily take pies to go also.

Kellylee

Delicious had the white fish finger basket i believe it was call that anyway and the amount of food was plenty. We ordered 1 each and could have shared 1. Onion rings were so good too. I preferred their spicy sour coleslaw but we had both. Staff was very nice 10 out of 10 will definitely go back when we're in the area.

Jeremy Beaugrand

Stop at Darrows for lunch before going to Mackinaw island. Never been there before. Great menu. Plenty of good options. I had the chicken strips basket and the serving was huge and my fries and chicken were delicious. Our server was great. Very personable. Answered several questions despite the fact that she was very busy. The decor was very nice great atmosphere. If I'm in the area I will definitely stop by again.

John “SEVEN” Malkin

Darrow’s Family Restaurant in Mackinaw City, Michigan is the kind of place that inspires devotion, both from locals and those lucky enough to stumble upon it while vacationing in the shadow of the mighty Mackinac Bridge. When my wife and I pulled into the parking lot and spotted the snake of hungry folks weaving out the door and down the sidewalk, I grumbled about the wait—and even floated the idea of checking out another spot. That’s when a cheerful local, grinning like she was proud to be in on a secret, caught our nervous glances and said, “Trust me, Darrow’s is worth the wait.” A Warm Welcome, Mackinaw Style There’s no fancy reservation system here—just old-fashioned faith in folks to remember their place in line. No text alerts, no wait list, just nods, polite smiles, and the living, breathing testament that the best meals are worth a little patience. The sign out front might as well read, “Good things come to those who wait…together.” Waiting on the sidewalk, we found ourselves drawn into the real Mackinaw tradition: spirited small talk. It turns out, Darrow’s line is just as much a part of the experience as the pie inside. I broke the ice with a couple standing behind us: “So, what’s the secret menu item you wish more tourists knew about?” Moments later, someone offered up, “First time visiting, or are you veterans of the fudge crawl?” Even locals got in on the act, swapping favorite beach recommendations and tips for counting freighters from the bridge. Homey Comfort and Unbeatable Pie Once inside, you’re hit with the nostalgia of a true family restaurant: checkered tablecloths, the scent of cinnamon, and the hum of efficient servers who treat every guest like an old friend. The menu is pure comfort—thick, juicy burgers, golden-fried perch fresh from the lake, and the infamous homemade pies aligned like a holy altar behind clear glass. My wife ordered the whitefish chowder (creamy, loaded with flaky fish) and a crusty slice of coconut cream pie she declared “the real reason folks wait in line.” I dove into roast turkey, hearty and smothered, with stuffing that tasted like it came from a holiday memory. Every bite felt like a celebration of Michigan’s simpler, more genuine flavors. Final Thoughts Darrow’s isn’t fancy, but that’s exactly why it sparkles. The friendly local who vouched for the place was right: it’s absolutely worth the wait. No reservations, no frills—just good people, great food, and a slice of pure Mackinaw hospitality cooked fresh every day

Rebecca Zuberi

Excellent white fish, food was hot and tasty! Great location close to hotel. Great service. Very clean restaurant. Pies looked delicious and everyone was talking about how great they are. Highly recommend this family style restaurant. HUGE portion sizes.

Matt Szukalowski

This place is consistently amazing! The food is always great and the pie is delicious! Sometimes I’m too full to eat the pie there, but they conveniently have to go containers!

+2

Rhonda Harris

Of all restaurants I have ever been to, this was by far the cleanest I have ever seen. It was spotless. I found out that they clean weekly as all restaurants should. There were not even fingerprints on windows doors or the dessert case. The food was wonderful. The pancakes came with a selection of homemade strawberry or blueberry syrup and thick maple syrup.

+4

Howard Steffey

Mouthwatering, wholesome, delicious dining experience. For our entree, we chose the Cajun Style fresh whitefish, which was lightly buttered, sprinkled with Darrow's spicy blend of cajun seasoning and topped with diced sweet red peppers. The fish was cooked just right with a flaky and delicate texture delivering a melt-in-your-mouth tenderness while the crusty seasoning provided warm, savory, and nicely balanced vibrant flavors. For our sides, we ordered green beans, mashed potato's, and cole slaw. The beef chili provided a savory appetizer. The pies looked incredibly delicious, but we were so full after eating the main course, we couldn't eat another bite. Lastly, the service was top notch. NOTE: This is a very popular place to dine, so don't be surprised if you encounter a line of people waiting to be seated. That said, the staff is so efficient that the wait in line didn't seem too long.

+6

Debbie Hohn

Darrows Family Restaurant came highly recommended so husband and I decided to have dinner there. Located in Mackinaw City, easy drive. Arrived at 6:30 PM we were immediately seated, this place is a local favorite. Large menu, lots of good choices and lots of dessert choices too! Our waitress was very sweet and friendly, took our order and answered a few questions. Looking around, very nice place, lots of nautical decor, several rooms to sit, very clean. Our food arrived in a timely fashion and both our dinners were generous portions piping hot. Almost forgot to take a picture, too busy chowing down. Had chicken tenders, mashed potatoes and coleslaw , delicious! Husband had the blackened white fish, he loved it. We really enjoyed our dinner, reasonable prices for the amount of food you received!! Too full for dessert, they have a long list of pie, cake, cheesecake selections. Highly recommend this place!! Debbie/ Riverview, Michigan

Camie Fillion

Great experience, will return! Friendly staff and clean atmosphere! Loved the Homemade Corned Hash, came with eggs, sausage gravy and biscuit or toast! Thank you Becca P for your kindness! Damian who cleared the tables was really working hard and was on top of things, just wanted to point that out and give him thanks for it! Hardly any wait time and I believe it’s because of him! Very busy place, food comes out fast!

Dwight Perry

This was our first time eating at this restaurant. When we arrived we could tell it was a great place since the parking lot was full. We waited max 10 minutes. We had Marge as our waitress she was AMAZING. My wife got the Whitefish basket and I got the Roast Beef. My wife had the side of Coleslaw.... This is the BEST coleslaw she had ever eaten. Roast Beef was so tender and broke apart easily. Big portions. We also got the banana cream to share.

+3

Terri Grannis

Darrow's Family Restaurant is a wonderful local eatery that is open seasonally (it closes mid- to late October; check website for exact dates). They offer a wide variety of options on their menu, but the fish is an absolute winner. HUGE portions...like gigantic...next visit my husband and I will split an entree (I believe there may be a "plate" charge for doing so, but not sure). We opted for the fish basket and it was delicious--their creamy coleslaw is a treat. Speaking of treats, leave room for pie! And arrive early if you want the best selection...lemon meringue was already sold out...dang! However, they offer plenty of options and I've posted pics of a few of them. They have a complete menu (breakfast, lunch, dinner), with prices, on their website. You can also see their hours, etc.,--check it out! So, we've been there, done that, and we'll definitely do it again! Highly recommend!

Steve Smith

Carol was great and the service was amazing! Tied for the amazing service is food so great you will need a hollow leg to put it all. Plus the PIES all the reviews are right DONT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES leave without trying them. Get the butterscotch slightly warmed up you will not regret Carols recommendation. Best ever! 6 stars!

Always wonderful food, good size portions. Service personnel was knowledgeable and friendly.

Always wonderful food, good size portions. Service personnel was knowledgeable and friendly.

Always wonderful food, good size portions. service personnel was knowledgeable and friendly.

This is a great place to visit and eat. We've never been disappointed. We will return and do every time we are up north.

The food was delicious and our server Red was great. I had the Shrimp basket with Cole slaw and a garden salad and my husband had a whitefish sandwich and salad. Both were delicious! The atmosphere…

Excellent place! Food was great!! And service was very good! atmosphere was pleasant and just a great little place!

We came for both a dinner and breakfast. Both meals were excellent. Service was attentive. The dinners were plentiful, both as salads and traditional entrees. The Shipwreck breakfast was large an…

Great lunch and my first time trying perch. \n\nThis is a touristy area, so dinner prices are high, but portions are huge. \n\nTry the peanut butter pie! \n\nWe also had the fried Wallaye meal, and…

Excellent breakfast. Excellent service. Fast! Clean. Great vibes. Comfort food. Slightly overpriced due to its location but worth it.\n\nLike a lighthouse on the lakeshore of Mackinaw City's medioc…

The wait time was very short, even with a long line. The service was excellent and we were recognized immediately. The food was excellent.

Great food! Friendly atmosphere! Fast and efficient service! Very clean facility! We ate there twice for breakfast, also got a piece of one of their many homemade pies. Everything was delicious!

We love this place! We've been coming here for several years and it just a classic dinner type restaurant to us. They have amazing pie and is just a nice little spot for a bite to eat. We bring our…

Good food, friendly service. Worth the wait. Had both breakfast and dinner while we were in town.

Drove to Mackinac city for a color tour. Stopped at this restaurant for their white fish dinner. Im a fish snob and their filet was very good. Fresh not frozen and their breading was amazing. It had …

For our entree, we chose the Cajun Style fresh whitefish, which was lightly buttered, sprinkled with Darrow's spicy blend of cajun seasoning and topped with diced sweet red peppers. The fish was coo…

Great food at a very good price. The service was good and the food was great. Had a very good Ruben and a Chicken, bacon, and cheese sandwich.

Great food at a very good price. The service was good and the food was great. Had a very good Ruben and a chicken, bacon, and cheese sandwich.

Great food at a very good price. The service was good and the food was great. Had a very good Ruben and a Chicken, bacon, and cheese sandwich.

Great food at a very good price. The service was good and the food was great. Had a very good Ruben and a Chicken, bacon, and cheese sandwich.

Great food at a very good price. The service was good and the food was great. Had a very good Ruben and a chicken, bacon, and cheese sandwich.

Great food at a very good price. The service was good and the food was great. Had a very good Ruben and a Chicken, bacon, and cheese sandwich.

We arrived at around 12:30 on a Sunday afternoon at the start of the Fall Color Season. We were immediately seated and the waitress promptly took our drink order. Our meal arrived shortly their …

Great food and friendly service. Will come back next time we are in the area. The whitefish and hot turkey sandwiches were great for lunch.

Great food and friendly service. Will come back next time we are in the area. The whitefish and hot turkey sandwiches were great for lunch.

Really lovely family restaurant across the street from Holiday Inn. Ample parking. All the food is homemade, as well as all the pies. breakfast, lunch, and dinner. We stopped in for breakfas…

Really lovely family restaurant across the street from Holiday Inn. Ample parking. All the food is homemade, as well as all the pies. breakfast, lunch, and dinner. We stopped in for breakfast…

We stopped for breakfast here and couldn’t have been happier with our choice. The corned beef hash was delicious. We had a desert piece of banana cream pie and it was fantastic. Do yourself a favor…

We had breakfast here. When arriving we noticed the parking lot was full and were concerned how much of a wait we would have. We were taken right in and waited on immediately. The service was out…

They make a decent, very beautifully battered and cooked fried fish dinner with quality fish. I really appreciate the light lemon and tartar sauce. Their onion rings are good. I wish for healthy vegetable sides. A large salad with vegetable toppings and ranch and cole slaw would be nice. 🐟 🍋 🥛 🌿 🥔 🧅 🥗

Gwenevere Mueller

Visited on a weekday in June with a large group. We walked in and were asked if we can sit at two tables, we said yes (and truly didn't care) but the servers were looking at us like we didn't belong there. We sat and told her how we were splitting up bills and ordered drinks. She came with drinks and took our food order. The food was very American and just okay. My kids got chicken tenders and fries and didn't really like it. The thought the fries were good. We were also seated close to the kitchen so it was loud. Nobody else was in the room but we were right next to the kitchen doorway and could hear all the noises. You walk up front to pay the bill. The server wasn't very friendly or helpful. I don't think I would want to return.

Order the Reuben Melt. Solid Sandwich but the fries were absolutely excellent. Extremely crispy and worth coming back for.\n\nThe service was quick and friendly.

Order the Reuben Melt. Solid sandwich but the fries were absolutely excellent. Extremely crispy and worth coming back for.\n\nThe service was quick and friendly.

Order the Reuben Melt. Solid Sandwich but the fries were absolutely excellent. Extremely crispy and worth coming back for.\n\nThe service was quick and friendly.

Order the Reuben Melt. Solid sandwich but the fries were absolutely excellent. Extremely crispy and worth coming back for.\n\nThe service was quick and friendly.

Good hearty food and good friendly service. Had the rhubarb pie, tart and tasty! I had the roast sandwich and their French fries are cooked to perfection and served hot!

Good hearty food and good friendly service. Had the rhubarb pie, tart and tasty! I had the roast sandwich and their French fries are cooked to perfection and served hot!

Good hearty food and good friendly service. Had the rhubarb pie, tart and tasty! I had the roast sandwich and their French fries are cooked to perfection and served hot!

Good hearty food and good friendly service. Had the rhubarb pie, tart and tasty! I had the roast sandwich and their French fries are cooked to perfection and served hot!

No list to track guests as they arrive. They seat your entire party as you hit the front of the line. \n\nMarvina is waiting on us. She's pleasant and attentive. \n\nThey are now out of Snicker's c…

In all my years visiting mackinaw city I have never been to Darrows. Weird. \n\nI had breakfast here one morning. Just a basic special. Eggs, potatoes, etc. it was very well done. It's quite nice i…

We went to this restaurant based on reviews, not a good decision. My husband ordered a sandwich, just a sandwich. I ordered the special, whitefish with a lemon sauce and coleslaw. The fish wasn’t…

We opted for a place away from the tourist side. For an early afternoon meal, we both ordered salads. Hers topped with chicken and mine with strawberries. Both were fantastic. We also ordered banan…

This dinner was delicious. We had the whitefish and the chicken cordon bleu. Sides were yummy too. Large portions! Would eat there again.

Chris Neel

We stopped by Darrow’s Family Restaurant while vacationing in Mackinaw City, looking for a casual family-friendly sit-down meal—and it checked that box. The atmosphere is welcoming and the staff are genuinely friendly. The food, however, was mixed. The fresh bread was a hit—soft and delicious. The whitefish entrée ($26.99) was a letdown: bland, chewy, and only somewhat saved by the Parmesan topping. The beef vegetable soup ($6.99) was underwhelming, with far more noodles than beef or vegetables. On the plus side, the chili ($6.99) was excellent—full of flavor and definitely the best part of the meal. Overall, prices felt high for the food quality. Great service, decent atmosphere, but not a place we’d return to dine 😔

Kalvin Hang

Darrow's Family Restaurant Simple food. Lots of fish. First time here. Very busy. We had Roast beef, whitefish finger basket , soup, and salad. Roast beef was decent, the white fish was bland, beef soup was typical good, fries were actually good, salad was ok. I know the fish is fresh caught, but I really hated the bones. One fish piece had 10 bones. Next time, I will avoid the white fish. It’s expected but the fish taste and batter was bland. A reviewer said “melts in your mouth”. Seriously, with that many bones, you would choke. Highly recommended

+6

Mark Sanders

It is pretty standard GFS type food restaurant. Not outstanding, but not terrible. Price was a bit high due to the tourist market. Our waitress was very responsive and attentive, but the atmosphere seemed too much like "locals only" enclave to me, as we were rudely greeted in the large lobby by an older couple standing directly in front of the entrance door, with the woman telling us to please close the door when we tried to enter around her rude, immovable husband. I suggested they move to one of the open side benches so we could enter, but they simply turned around and continued blocking the entrance as if they were the palace guard. The other locals in line waiting to eat made no attempt to make room. I'm pretty sure if I visit the area again, I won't go out of my way to eat here. IMO, there are better options all around the area.

Looking for a family-friendly meal in Mackinaw City? Darrow's delivers on atmosphere and service, but the food was hit-or-miss.\n\n Fresh, tasty bread\n Chili was rich and flavorful ($6.99)\n White…

No list to track guests as they arrive. They seat your entire party as you hit the front of the line. Marvina is waiting on us. She’s pleasant and attentive. They are now out of Snicker’s chees…

We dined at Darrow's for lunch. We were seated quickly, but had a long wait before someone came to our table. There were so many employees milling about, it was difficult to tell who was supposed…

Food was decent as was service. However, I felt rushed during my meal. Main complaint is that menu prices are definitely inflated. My breakfast of eggs, potatoes, biscuits and coffee was over $21. …

My main issue was that the quality of the food declined and the price was so high! $18 for a sandwich and fries! And I was not impressed with the cleanliness. Got sick afterwards. Sorry but never a…

My main issue was that the quality of the food declined and the price was so high! $18 for a sandwich and fries! And I was not impressed with the cleanliness. Got sick afterwards. Sorry but never a…

Food has no taste. No salt. No pepper. Nothing. And I truly think they were boxed potatoes. Service was good but the food was awful and way overpriced.