Butch's Dry Dock

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#12 of 192 Restaurants in HollandEuropean, Contemporary, $$$$

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Butch's Dry Dock

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About

For more than 25 years, Butch TerHaar has strived to create a place where people can celebrate the marriage of food and drink. Today, Butch's is one of fewer than 800 restaurants worldwide (and one of 10 in Michigan) to hold Wine Spectator's Best of Award of Excellence. Building on our exceptional wine and beer offerings, our menu is expressly designed to enhance the experience of enjoying food and drink together.

Features

CUISINES

European, Contemporary, Gastropub

Meal types

Dinner, Drinks

Special Diets

Vegetarian friendly, Gluten free options

FEATURES

Accepts Credit Cards

American Express

Discover

Free off-street parking

Free Wifi

Full Bar

Highchairs Available

Mastercard

Outdoor Seating

Reservations

Seating

Serves Alcohol

Street Parking

Table Service

Takeout

Television

Visa

Wheelchair Accessible

Wine and Beer

Location

44 E 8th St Ste 100, Holland, MI 49423-3575

Free off-street parking, Street Parking

Does this restaurant offer highchairs for toddlers?

Yes

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Hours

Suggest an edit

Closed now

• Opens at 5:00 PM

Sunday

Closed

Monday

5:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Tuesday

5:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Wednesday

5:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Thursday

5:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Friday

5:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Saturday

5:00 PM - 9:00 PM

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4.2

396 reviews

Excellent

218

Very good

101

Average

Poor

Terrible

MichiganMom71

Clarkston515 contributions

Lovely fine dining in downtown Holland

Jan 2024 • couples

This has become our "go to" for a special meal when we are in Holland. The food options are just right for a fine dining establishment, offering fish, chicken and steak. The service is very attentive and I enjoyed the ambience of sitting at the window, looking out on downtown Holland.

Written April 25, 2024

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Catherine L

117 contributions

Dinner in Holland MICHIGAN

Sep 2021 • couples

Great food & ambiance, pleasant staff, but kitchen was overwhelmed. We enjoyed all of the food and wine selection but had about a 20-30 minute wait between appetizer and dinner. If they can get the timing right, it is a nice place.

Written September 19, 2021

The_Lankan

Rochester1113 contributions

Still one of my favorites

Jun 2023 • couples

I worked in Holland for 4 days a week from 2010 to 2016 and ate at Butch’s frequently during that time. We were in Holland over the weekend and decided to dine at Butch’s since it was one of our favorites. I had a Jungle Bird cocktail which was great. We were dining with another couple and we ordered two plates of scallops which were excellent. In the past, they used to have a scallops entree but now it is only available as an appetizer. I had the grilled hanger steak and my wife had the shrimp spaghetti, both were really good. I had the hanger steak years ago and it’s just as great as it was before. We were really happy that Butch’s remains a great place for dinner in Holland. The staff are still very friendly and all have pleasant personalities. I highly recommend this place if you are in Holland. Make a reservation a few days early or you may be waiting for a table. There is plenty of street parking available.

Written June 13, 2023

Cheryl B

1 contribution

Buyer Beware

Nov 2023 • friends

My girlfriends and I had a terrible experience at Butch Downstairs SpeakEasy in Holland, MI, this weekend. This restaurant profiles patrons and has established a process to deter people of color. On our initial visit on Friday, 11/3, the receptionist stated that the bar was “understaffed” and not taking guests. We did not think twice. We all agreed we would try again the following evening. Saturday, 11/4, arrived, and one of our group members called 3 minutes before arriving at the restaurant and asked if they were open, for how long, and if they were taking walk-ins. We were told emphatically yes and to make our way over. When we arrived 3 minutes later, we received the same notice that they were “understaffed” and not open. This type of blatant profiling is disgusting and unfortunate. I am doing my public service so that other people of color are not faced with the same ignorance and bigotry when attempting to patronize Butch Downstairs SpeakEasy. At this point, we had no desire to support this establishment and enjoyed Obstacle, a delightful, well-managed, knowledgeable, and pleasantly staffed SpeakEasy. Regardless of your cultural persuasion, if you are looking to invest and condone practices of profiling and ignorance, Butch is your kind of establishment, and if not, pick a different dining experience. Do better, Holland, MI.

Written November 5, 2023

Bruce TerHaar

Dear cherylbM2643EP, We are deeply sorry to hear about the experience you and your girlfriends had at Butch’s and our Ondergrond Speakeasy. Please accept our sincere apologies for the confusion and discomfort you felt during your visit. At Butch's, we pride ourselves on creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for all guests, and it's clear we fell short in your case. The incident you described was a result of miscommunication within our team, which we deeply regret. On the evening of your visit, the Ondergrond speakeasy was unfortunately closed due to unforeseen circumstances and understaffing, a detail which was not properly communicated to all members of our staff in time. This led to the mixed messages you received, which we acknowledge must have been frustrating and disappointing. We want to assure you that our policy is to treat all patrons with the highest level of respect and courtesy, regardless of background or identity. Butch's has a long-standing commitment to diversity and inclusion. Since our opening in 1995, we have actively supported and partnered with various organizations that uphold these values. The experience you described is not reflective of our ethos or our history. We are taking your feedback seriously and will be reviewing our internal communication procedures to ensure that this type of incident does not happen again. We would greatly appreciate the opportunity to make things right and hope you will give us a chance to provide you with the true Butch's experience. Once again, we are truly sorry and thank you for bringing this to our attention. Your voice is invaluable to us as we strive to do better every day. Warm regards, Butch TerHaar Butch's Dry Dock

Written February 5, 2024

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Curator-Observer

300 contributions

Disappointing

Jul 2023 • couples

We started off badly when they lost, then later found, our reservation. The martini was odd: something was off somehow. The sourdough bread was great, as was my kale salad. But the grilled chicken I added to it was cold and dry. I expected a marinated, hot off the grill, breast half. The sole vegetarian entree was not really very tasty. I don’t think there were shy California whites on the wine list by the glass, despite their Wine Spectator awards. Service was fine. It was not the special evening I expected.

Written July 22, 2023

Herbi47

Hamilton16 contributions

Want to waste $$? Eat here

Apr 2023 • couples

My wife and I ordered a dinner salad that was supposed to contain, among other items, honey crisp apple. The salad was very small and contained no apple but instead mandarin orange slices that tasted like they came out of a can from the grocery store. My wife added chicken to her salad and it was dry and tasteless. The price was in no way consistent with the either the quantity or quality of the salad. I would never eat there again. I never paid so much for so little at a restaurant. I need to add that the server did her job well and was attentive to our needs.

Written April 30, 2023

Kim

Holland6 contributions

Pleasant atmosphere

Jun 2022 • couples

Pros: Attentive service Ambiance Quality of the food & drinks Requested & received vegetable substitution Cons: 40 minute wait for food (6pm on a Tuesday, not many people when we arrived). Value: complementary bread & butter during the long wait would have been nice. Customary to receive a small dessert at the end of a celebratory dinner.

Written June 15, 2022

Mercedes1185

Orlando180 contributions

Details Matter

Jul 2021 • couples

The opening time is listed as 4:00 pm - we arrived at this early time to avoid crowds. We were seated and handed the dinner menu and happy hour menu. We’d had small plates and wine here the night before and returned for dinner on this occasion. Upon ordering from the menu we’d been handed, we were informed we’d have to wait an hour for the kitchen to open. We had interacted with five different staff member prior to this and at no time did anyone mention that happy hour items were all that we could order. The manager showed little to no concern, just blaming a new staff member. Frankly their attitude was that of having a captive summer market. To the folk working here - We are not just summer guests, we visit year round, shopping and dining to support local Michigan businesses - good customer service is vital in good times and bad.

Written July 17, 2021

John B

Viera2 contributions

Overpriced low quality food

Aug 2021 • none

My wife had Chicken thighs It was like the dropped the in to a deep fryer and over cooked them. The brought out these three shrunk up dry tiny thighs. Thanks what you get for 30 dollars. My meal was better but very small portion. Is not a coincidence that this was they only restaurant in town with multiple reservation slots

Written August 14, 2021

love2vacation2008

129 contributions

Nice dinner

Sep 2021 • couples

We started with the truffle cauliflower and really enjoyed it. My husband loved his scallops for dinner. I had a small dinner salad that was good but I should’ve asked for dressing on the side. Not their fault it was just my personal preference. Our server, a local young man from Holland, was so incredibly friendly and awesome. He was very attentive and gave us some advice for what to do while we are in town from the Chicago suburbs. A manager or someone like that came over to check on us also which was very nice. We had reservations for outside but because of the weather we were moved inside so I was glad we were still able to eat at this restaurant.

Written September 3, 2021

Mj J

1 contribution

Butches

Sep 2020 • couples

So disappointed! Service was terrible. We have been going to a Butches for over a decade and every since last year we just haven’t had the same service or food experience. This past dining experience was so bad we won’t be going back for a long time. The plate sizes have gotten smaller, limited menu, and our food was salty we barely could eat it. Also ordered a glass of House Resiling Wine and it was horrible. Ended up buying a bottle so we knew what we would be drinking. They over charged us and had to re-do the bill. The waitress was scattered brain and the host girl had a bad attitude. I have never given a bad review, but others should know for the price it’s not worth it! Tru some place else in town.

Written September 12, 2020

Gilbert B

East Lansing195 contributions

Serious about CDC Guidelines

Aug 2020 • none

The menu has been very truncated from the past and the one on Trip Advisor is wrong. The precautions they are taking with distancing and sanitation is impressive. We had the short ribs which were very good and the filet which was in a great risotto but not charred properly. Wine list is not impressive but there are enough choices. Servers were stretched a bit so it was on the slow side. Overall a pretty average experience which I attribute to Covid-19.

Written August 4, 2020

CRedd

2 contributions

Warning beware Do not go

Feb 2022 • couples

I was seated at 7 pm and food didn’t arrive until 9 pm and the place was not full .all of tables around me came in after me got there food and left by the time o got mine and all the manage gave me were excuse and couldn’t answer or give me an excuse why my table of guest were targeted for the worse service .. I love the city and travel there often but never gave this place a chance ..I was warned but did not heed to it… lesson learned the hard I guess … I will make sure to bring my chef with me on my next visit .. instead of trying out some palaces in the city..

Written February 13, 2022

Dan H

Grand Haven413 contributions

Valentine's Night Out

Feb 2020 • none

Butch's Dry Dock is fast becoming our favorite restaurant downtown Holland. It was a snowy blustery Friday, Valentine's night, and walking around downtown Holland fast became to cold, so we ended up at Butch's early. The staff was very pleasant and helpful to set up our table early, on a very busy evening. My wife and I both had the Cesar salad (Best around) get it with the avocado & anchovies, I had the seafood pasta with shrimp and scallops, it is in a light cream sauce and the linguine is thin and cooked a perfect al dente, my wife had the braised short ribs, meaty and tender - Amazing. SAVE room for dessert. Cooked to order Madeleine Cookies and Hot Chocolate with a fresh cup of coffee. Our server was Excellent and helpful with menu.

Written February 17, 2020

Jody G

85 contributions

Nice meal

Jul 2021 • none

We were visiting in the area and based on reviews, we decided to try Butch's. The restaurant is separated into 3 sections - the main dining room, the bar and the patio. It is the same menu so guess you can sit in any areas depending on the "vibe" you want for your meal. We sat in the bar and enjoyed the atmosphere. Tables seemed to be spaced apart nicely due to COVID. We had the scallops and salmon. Both were enjoyable, but definitely pricey for a small town meal. We also had the sourdough for an appetizer and the vegetable butter included had a lot of garlic. There is a lot of items with garlic on the menu so beware in case you are not a garlic lover.

Written July 23, 2021