The Forager - Howard City, Michigan

Sheryl M.

We had Brian as our server and how hilarious he was. Food came out GREAT and hot. Took left overs home. Tiffany had sweet and spicy shrimp tacos so delish. I had the chicken bacon wrap it was soooo good. Went back on Sun 3/23/ 25..had chicken strips dinner also really good and fresh...

Erica J.

We came here on my birthday with two of our friends. I ordered the New York strip with mashed potatoes and asparagus. I wouldn’t say any of my food was great, but it was definitely good. My husband got the pork chop with a side of vegetables. Like me, he thought everything was good. Our friend who got the tacos thought they were very good and our other friend. Our other friend got the lobster tail which was on special for New Year’s Eve with vegetable and a baked potato and hers was very very good. I loved hers. I was also surprised that they don’t have a birthday dessert at all. We ended up getting three desserts though. It was a month ago so I don’t remember what they were but I have pictures. I highly recommend the desserts that are in my pictures. They were all very, very good! Overall, we still had a very good experience here. The food was good And service was great. We would come back here again. We’ve always heard great things about the meatloaf so that will be the next thing we try.

Randi D.

My husband and I had our anniversary dinner here and everything in the restaurant’s power was absolutely amazing! Unfortunately there was a table by us that was incredibly rude to their server and was a bit of a bummer. I made sure to let our server know that the other server was amazing and I hope she was able to have a good rest of her night. We will for sure be back for more celebrations to come. Thank you!!

Madalyn C.

Not sure how this place has any less than 5 stars!

Cleanliness: The restaurant is absolutely clean and beautiful. Saw someone cleaning tables as we were eating- definitely brings comfort knowing they take cleanliness in mind. Restrooms were cleaner than any public restroom I have been in - and I have been to some pretty nice restaurants.

Service: Hostess greeted and sat us instantly. Bar tender acknowledged us on the way out, too! Our waitress was absolutely fabulous and made her rounds constantly. Never had to ask for refills or anything. She took away used plates as we ate and was quick to offer menu suggestions. Amazing service!

The Food: We started with stuffed dates and bison chili. The stuffed dates were amazing- great taste with the right amounts of everything to go with them. Highly recommend. Coconut shrimp was good. The bison chili was so flavorful and not lacking ingredients of any kind... Tons of meat, beans, and other vegetables! The chili was also not overly acidic, either. Ribeye was great... a little pricey at $60, but we considered it a splurge. Walleye was cooked perfectly and tasted amazing. The baked potato was huge and cooked perfectly. Mashed potatoes are home made and have great flavor and texture. The French Dip was hands down the best one I have ever had - the aujus was AMAZING and not overly salty. Truffle fries were great, too!

Overall: I highly recommend visiting The Forager. Great food and great service. Don't complain about prices- things like that you can find out beforehand. If you're looking for something easier on the bank account, look elsewhere. BUT this place has great quality food and it is worth the price.

Sidenote: We shared a brownie sundae for dessert. Best brownie around!

Denis T.

There were 8 of us who went out for a family dinner and drinks. Several wanted to try oysters so we ordered the oyster appetizer. I’m not into oysters, but everyone else liked them, especially my wife. For the main meal I had the ball steak with grilled shrimp, baked potato, and asparagus. It was delicious!

Beth G.

Spoiled ourselves with oysters and calamari! So good and the best calamari dish I’ve ever had, great flavor! Loved my salad with shrimp and the bread pudding was amazing also. The meatloaf was also delicious! Everyone enjoyed their meals!

Kimberly K.

We love The Forager. The historic building, excellent service and we’ve never had a bad meal. Always delicious. We enjoyed the service and conversation with our server, Bryan tonight. Top date night restaurant and worth the drive.

Terri G.

Located in downtown Howard City, MI, the Forager is a hidden gem. An outstanding menu with daily Chef's features--for example, here's the list of today's: Chefs features include, but aren’t limited to:
❄️ Bluepoint Oysters
❄️ Big Cove Oysters
❄️ Meatball Appetizer
❄️ New York Strip as Steak Frites
❄️ Alaskan King Crab
❄️ Blackened Salmon Caesar Salad
❄️ Lobster Tail
❄️ Pan Seared Diver Scallops
❄️ Lake Michigan Perch
They have a full menu that never disappoints. My favorite lunch item is their French Dip sandwich with the house fries. Tender beef, caramelized onions, and melted cheese on a delicious bun...add a side of au jus and those crispy fries---beyond good!
The restaurant is housed in a building that dates back to the 1800's. On display are several old photos of the original "Howard City Hotel" and the bar is one of the original architectural touches that has remained. Service is impeccable--not sure who does the training with these folks, but they are top notch. A tip of the hat to the waitstaff--if the food is the heartbeat of this restaurant, then the waitstaff is the magic that keeps that heart pumping.