The Gathering Place

Came here for breakfast this morning, and had a great experience. We ordered the southwest omelet and garden omelet, they were so big we could’ve shared! They were absolutely delicious, and the service was great! Highly recommended.

Visiting town and came for breakfast based on Unilocal reviews. The corned beef hash was unexceptional, standard-​issue fare. Poached eggs were perfectly cooked. Coffee served with real cream and tasted exactly what you would hope for.
What stood out was the atmosphere and service. Very good vibe, with all staff friendly and attentive. A particular standout was my server Jensen, who was poetry in motion. My coffee cup never emptied or cooled, and she managed her whole section with the skill and timing of an orchestra conductor. No table was unattended for more than a couple of minutes, as she took orders, refilled beverages, ran food, fulfilled ad-​hoc requests, and brought checks at perfect intervals — smiling and chatting pleasantly the whole while. It was something to behold. I would come back just to be part of the warm community that the establishment creates over breakfast. Nicely done.

The wait staff is absolutely garbage. The girl who manages is a complete mess and knows absolutely nothing. Never coming here again.

When we got here there were quite a bit of people here so instantly figured this many people couldn’t be wrong and they weren’t because I had the Southwestern Omelette and it was awesome, the salsa was amazing and had a great spicy and zesty taste to it, the chorizo in the Omelette was spot on and the coffee here is really good with just the right amount of strength, this place looks like someone house but it is actually a really good breakfast restaurant.

I recently came here for breakfast on a weekend. I was happy to see that we were able to sit down immediately, as that was important to the people I was joining for breakfast. For this they have a positive, but at the same time I think it was easy to sit down because the experience was just meh.
I ordered a greek omelette with egg whites. It listed an up charge to eggbeaters so I am assuming the same was for egg whites. (I did not pick up the bill so I cannot confirm or not). The option to accompany the omelette was toast. I had to opt out because there weren’t any gluten free options. My omelette was good but nothing I was drooling over or nothing out of the ordinary that I couldn’t make at home.
A couple others at the table with me ordered omelettes and to me it was a little off putting to see slices of cheese on top. I was told by those eating the omelettes that there was cheese inside as well. In my opinion keep the slices inside and maybe grate cheese on top if you’d like to still add that level. For lack of better words it just reminded me or kraft singles chillin’ on top which is not my cup of tea.
The coffee flowed in my cup, which is something I love. Great job on that!
All in all I do not see myself coming here again, unless someone else really wants to go that I am dining with.

The Gathering Place is a well-​intentioned restaurant with a little less than average quality food and subpar service. I think the name is in reference to dust or, maybe, outdated ideas for menu offerings. Better yet, maybe they’re gathering a bunch of old-​ass furniture nobody wants anymore.
This spot definitely needs freshening up. Worn floors, furniture from the antique store or estate sales, and I’ll be damned if it wasn’t one of the most drafty restaurants I’ve ever been in. Being seated next to the window sure didn’t help as I could, literally, feel the wind every time a gust came through. I noticed I was not the only one who kept his coat on during my entire meal.
This seems like mainly a breakfast spot to me, so that’s what I got from the standard fare offerings. Eggs, bacon, western omelette… *yawn*. I got pancakes, a couple eggs on the side, and some bacon. While the pancakes were pretty good, they were nothing exceptional. They didn’t strike me as particularly light, fluffy, or stand out as others have mentioned. Maybe the cook was having an off day. The waitstaff seems to be mostly young (probably high-​school age) girls which probably explains why the service here kinda sucks. I felt like I had to beg for coffee refills.
Grand Rapids has a LOT of options for breakfast that is, truly, worth your while. I wouldn’t say The Gathering Spot is one of those places and I’ve no reason to believe that lunch or dinner would be any different. While the prices are fair… so are the prices at many of the other spots around town that really do shine. When you pass this spot, keep cruising by. If just plain ol’ standard fare with subpar service is what you’re after, there’s a Big Boy downtown or hit up New Beginnings on 28^th for the same basic menu, but a server that actually wants a tip.

Since there was major construction going on in front of the restaurant and they were not busy, we thought they would appreciate some unexpected business — however the staff was rude and rather indifferent. I was surprised especially given the aforementioned circumstances.

Breakfast place that needs a bit of freshening up. The food is your basic egg, hash brown, bacon, etc. The pancakes are the big draw. They are huge and fluffy. Just a heads up, they have an almond flavored syrup that is not for everyone. I go here because it is close but I would love to see some more creative options on the menu.

This would be a great opportunity for someone willing to work on training the staff to be warm and engaging, update the décor, but most of all to treat the food more like a tool to make you want to come back. Sadly I will not be back, but I hope this helps motivate change.

This is my go-​to place for corned beef hash. Not the fancy chunky homemade kind, but the mushy and crispy hash with sunny-​side up eggs and rye toast that I crave because it’s what I grew up with. So much so I came two mornings in a row and cleaned the plate both times :) The hash had a nice crust from the griddle and they kept my coffee filled. A nice casual place for breakfast if you’re wanting standard breakfast offerings. I came late morning on weekdays and was seated easily. Prepare to wait early morning or on the weekends.

Great place for a business breakfast. Food was good and hot, service was attentive but not overbearing, coffee was excellent. Great atmosphere with plenty of elbow room. I had sausage patties, hash browns and toast, my guest had an omelet. Food was brought out in a very reasonable amount of time. I would go there again.

Very good service and great food! Love the atmosphere!

A restaurant that isn’t warm or welcoming. Hostess, wait staff afraid to smile… to go along with no personal warmth there’s no furnace warmth. Place is frigid inside. Had to wear my coat and hat while eating. Food is tasteless and bland. I guess the chef/​cook never heard of salt and pepper. For the food to be flavorful, it has to be added during the cooking process, not as an afterthought at the table. This place has too many issues with front of house, staff, air temp and kitchen for me to return.

Loved this little breakfast place! Food was great, made with fresh ingredients, and service was stellar!

Overall I enjoyed the experience. The service was good and the food was above average. The atmosphere of the dining room is quite nice, especially for the amount of people they seat in the dining room. The menu options were diverse and the portions were quite large.
The one thing that affected my rating was the time it took for the food to come out. Th Gathering Place is a breakfast joint and a 30+ min ticket on 3 omelets is too long. One of them came out a little cooler than would be preferred.
I would go back, but I don’t think it would be my first choice.

I’m very picky about breakfast and this place never lets me down. I have to admit I only ever get the Farmer’s breakfast, but it’s always delicious.
The pancakes are huge and the hash browns are crispy on top. Great country style atmosphere.

Unimpressed. Food was just ok. Service was lacking. Definitely better places around with better service.

In town for business. found this on Unilocal.One of the most delicious breakfast helpings I’ve had. Coffee was great. Pancakes tasted funny, but I’m more of a waffle guy. Pancakes were ridiculously enormous. Sausages and hash browns were by far the best I’ve had outside a home. OJ was amazingly fresh. Waitress was attentive and very hospitable. Entire meal ran me around 10 bucks. well worth a visit.

The coffee is delicious, and the pancakes are among the best I’ve had. Bring your appetite — the portions are huge.
Nice, cozy atmosphere with great service.

Not the place for an avant garde meal, but if you need a big filling breakfast, then The Gathering Place is the correct pick! My mom’s one pancake was huge — it filled the entire plate. My omelette was the largest I’d ever seen, and very tasty, as well.