Karlin Inn

Reviews

• Robert M.

  star star star star star 8 June 2026

  A great place to go on a night-off. I am a "summer person" as well and first went here this past summer while I was working up in the Traverse City area. The servers were really friendly (though a bit off-putting at first, because they don't know you). For a small town bar/eatery, this was by far the best place I visited all summer and I will definitely be going back in the future.
  
  I'll always remember playing pinball on nights out with great friends at this great local establishment.

• Scott S.

  star star star star star_border 4 June 2026

  Friendly staff, good food and nice atmosphere. I had the Rueben and it was excellent. I would recommend this place

• Shannon B.

  star star_border star_border star_border star_border 31 May 2026

  The beers were at least served cold. The food was not good. My husband had onion rings with his sandwhich, looked nice and crispy but he said the were like pancake batter on the inside. I had fries which were served barely warm, and my reuben was thick slabs of some kind of meat. It was not thin shaved corned beef and for some reason the sandwhich had a fishy taste to it. Did not finish it because of that. Barely a smidge of sauerkraut on it as well. I observed the kitchen from where we sat and the old guy cooking apparently thought it was okay to serve chips on someone's order and proceed to shove one in his mouth and then I watched him do that at least twice more. Chips on plate and then his mouth, and then continued to make other people's food without washing. Not to mention what he did was just wrong. I am in no hurry to go back ever.

• Scott H.

  star star star star star_border 26 May 2026

  I love this place.  I'm a "summer person" who's been going to the Karlin since the mid-90s.  Nice atmosphere, good food.  Really popular fish fry.  One friend swears that (for the price) you won't find a better prime rib.  The pizza's nothing special - but reliable and very tasty.
  
  The waitstaff can appear grumpy at first.  That's because they don't know you.  Hang around, or better yet, come back a couple of times.  Before you know it, you'll see just how friendly people can be.  I'm welcomed back each summer by name, and with a hug from the owner.  One of the servers who's been working there since before I started often has my drink poured before I can finish walking to a table.
  
  If you're in the area, definitely check the place out.  Just don't hog the pinball machine!

• Toby M.

  star star_border star_border star_border star_border 21 May 2026

  Unfortunately we had a bad experience.  - service was poor - almost felt like we were a nuisance being there by wait staff.   Food was ok.