Mode’s Bum Steer

Went to Modes last Friday for a celebration with my husband. We got there about 6 and were seated right away. We expected to have to wait as they’re always busy and don’t take reservations– so we were pleasantly surprised! The salad bar is always fresh and clean with many options. We ordered the scallops– cooked to perfection! Melt in your mouth! My husband did the filet and perch. We could have done without the perch (the were good– just a little greasy). The filet was delicious. The service was also very good– refills before you had to ask, multiple waitresses checking in. We always love modes and this time was no different!

I’m a local and have come here 20+ years. Without a doubt the best prime rib in T.C. Great atmosphere (crowded but that’s part of the fun) and service. My server Debbie is here every time I come in and she is exceptional.

For me dining is as much about the service as it is the food.
Our servers name was Deb, for a place like Mode’s she was extremely unprofessional. I cannot even tell you how many times she smacked me I the face with her pony tail, completely callously.
As we were banged into numerous times as she barreled through I tried to take into consideration how tightly cramped the tables and chairs are and she was trying to do her job in the best manner she could, however, it was still annoying.
When the couple that dimes with is asked about the fries she described them as «skinny cut frozen fries». Again very inappropriate and unprofessional.
As far as the meal is concerned… We started with the «seafood» bisque. There was only fake Louis Rich crab type meat in it. I would have considered a high end steak house would take the extra care to put real seafood in their bisque. Very disappointing. Also when the soups arrived at the table it was luke warm.
The only saving grace was the steaks. I enjoyed the 12 oz prime rib my husband had the peppercorn sizzler steak. I ordered mine rare and it was… It was colder than I expected. But it was incredibly tender as was my husbands steak.

If you are interested in anything other than steak, I do not recommend this place. Plus, the waits can be long and not worth it. There are much better places to eat in TC.

Nostalgic setting. Not a huge place but that’s how I usually like my favorite spots. New York strip steak came medium as I ordered it topped with mushrooms. Totally pleased with the steak. The rice was perfect texture and was a nice switch up from my usual potatoes. Server was attentive and not over bearing which was great! Two thumbs up here!

This place was good and filling, but did not knock me over, especially since we paid $ 60 for two dinners with no appetizers and only one glass of wine. I ordered the chicken and ½ rack ribs — the ribs were great and the chicken breast was «meh» at best — no flavor. My husband ordered the 16 oz prime rib and he very much enjoyed what he could eat of it. :) The salad bar was not anything to write home about and the décor was a little dated. However, great selection of local wines and our server was top notch, super friendly!

Not exactly a «hip and happening» place. Average age of their customers is probably about 45. Hit or miss for the high price and quality of food. Prime rib is an absolute bargain for the quality and quantity.

My wife and I went in for an early dinner last evening and were pleasantly surprised. The employees actually smile! A lot! This place pays attention to the details. Our happy server Cathy brought drinks and promptly took our order. The place is older, and a bit crowded, but clean, comfortable and OK. I ordered chicken and ribs and my wife had walleye. Both were generous portions and tasted great. The salad bar was very good with a nice selection of dressings especially the bleu cheese with big chunks at the bottom.
The details: Large, thick paper napkins, comfortable seating, attentive service. We both had plain baked potato with sour cream and butter on the table to add as desired. Thick cut Texas toast comes with entrees. Portions were large and we took home lots. The dessert menu was small but adequate. I have a love of Hummer ice cream drinks. They made an excellent one. The only reason I didn’t give Mode’s 5 stars is that we felt it was a bit pricey, but it is a quality place to dine as evidenced by the full room by the time we left.
We asked why the employees were so happy and friendly and she
allowed that most had been there a long time, 24 years herself, some longer and they are well taken care of. We’ll be back.

You simply will not find a better eating establishment in northern Michigan. Been to Mode’s several times over the years and always make it a point to stop in when in town. A little bit of everything but they sure can grill. Steaks and ribs are amazing and rate among the best I’ve ever tasted. Service is top notch and some of the staff has been there nearly as long as the 40 years they’ve been open. I cannot recommend modes enough. Weekends you get a salad bar which is fantastic but the wedge salads and home made dressings (bleu cheese, ranch, 1k island are all amazing too). 5 stars for Mode’s!

Great steak, had the Anita steak 12 oz cut. Melt in your mouth, it was burnt on edges. Just delicious.
When your hungry for a good steak this is he place to come. It was packed, it’s your old fashion décor.
Also had shrimp cocktail it was wonderful, big and plump. Love it it will be a place I will come back too!

Take step back in time. Red swivel chairs, salad bar, steaks. Booze. Late night menu. Even a waitress named Trixie.
For us Mode’s is always a stop on our annual trip to TC.

Annual visit to Modes all the way from California Saturday coney dog just the way you want it Would recommend it to anyone

Our wine tour guide recommended this place to us – boy, am I glad we listened! The lettuce wedge with their own blue cheese was so delicious, it was hard not to devour it! I got the filet center cut ordered medium with a side of mushrooms and my bf got the 16 oz prime rib ordered rare. We both thoroughly enjoyed every bite. I should’ve passed on the mushrooms, as they were ok, but not as fabulous as the rest of the meal and I had plenty to eat.
Our server was very friendly and attentive. The owner stopped by our table to see how everything was and seemed genuinely happy that we were happy. It is a small place and a little dark but still a very comfortable atmosphere.
If I ever return to Traverse City, I will definitely be stopping in here for a steak cooked to perfection.

Must leave our review, have not been there in 15 years brought another couple with us for dinner. The food was great from steak, prime rib, ribs and salmon. Salad bar was good, blue cheese was outstanding, service was ok, no complaints. Would make another trip there in a minute.

This place cracks me up. The look of it is not nice but the prime rib is awesome! I have been twice and loved it both times!

Usually stop for a meal while in TC.
Food is basic and very good. Varied menu with steak, chicken, sea food, pork, etc. This trip I had the steak and ribs combo. Steak was tasty and tender. Ribs were good although the rib sauce with a touch of cherry (this is TC) was a bit sweet for my taste. I probably won’t get the ribs again but that is not a problem as there are so many good choices on the menu.
My wife had one of the house specialties, prime rib. The first cut was on the over done and tough side. No problem. Our server immediately brought out another cut with a complimentary side of mushrooms that was perfect. Great service.
I will continue to return to the Bum Steer.

I’m going to split this review in half: the service and the food. The service was terrible. Our waitress walked away while we were in the middle of ordering because we started discussing what we wanted. She came back five minutes later. Our salad bar plates were taken away right after we had our salad. We weren’t asked if we were done. Near the end when she noticed a change in our attitude, she started calling my dad honey/​hun (I know it’s normal in the midwest, but this had a sarcastic/​condescending tone). I think she started worrying about her tip, especially since our bill was over $ 100, so she tried fixing her attitude.
Next: the food. It’s okay. Wasn’t amazing, but the portions were large. Considering how much it cost, I’d say you can get the same meals somewhere else for cheaper, and it may even taste better. The salad bar was tiny, and like I mentioned above, you barely get a chance to enjoy it before your plates are taken away. The jalapeño mozzarella sticks were pretty good, the chicken wings were average, I’d rather have B-​Dubs’ wings though.
The restaurant is cramped, and I definitely wouldn’t take kids there, they don’t have a child-​friendly menu. I saw some people complaining about the décor, I didn’t mind it. The chairs were comfy!

This place never disappoints! I come here knowing what I’m going to get… an old school steak dinner perfectly cooked by people who care more about whether you have a great meal than whether the décor has been updated in the last 40 years!
The salad bar is phenomenal… all house-​dressings! And the wedge salad is basically just a vehicle for their out-​of-​this-​world blue cheese dressing! The service is always outstanding and the drinks are «healthy pours». I love these kind of hole in the wall places that know what they’re good at and they make no attempts to deviate from that model.

Everyone seems to always rave about Mode’s, so I finally had to eat here after living in TC for 12 years. I think the main reason I have never gone here is because the outside reminds you of a local tavern and you don’t expect it to be anything special, and honestly it really wasn’t.
The service was great! No complaints there! We went on a Saturday night at 6pm and it was full, besides one table for us. The décor on the inside is definitely dated and needs to be remodeled. The tables are too close together and hard to walk around too, especially when it started getting busy around 7:30.
I was really wanting to get a fish entrée, but decided against it since everyone always says Mode’s is known for their steaks. I ended up getting the 12oz prime rib (only ate half of it because it was so big). With each meal you get to go to the salad bar, which is tiny and reminded me of Ponderosa — wasn’t too please with that, especially for the cost of the meal. I ordered my steak medium-​rare and it definitely came out well-​done and dry. I was very disappointed! You get a large piece of Texas toast and a starch with your meal, was sort of hoping for some veggies too, but no luck. My friend got the roasted duck. He said it was delicious and it looked like a good portion too. There was a great wine selection and list of specials too. We didn’t get dessert bc we were both full from dinner bc it was a large portion.
Sadly, I didn’t think that Mode’s lived up to the hype. Would have been nice to get a steak the way I ordered it, especially for the price. Not sure I will go back here, as there are too many good places in town to eat at, but sadly, not many are known for their steaks.

Let me just tell you about the salad wedge. It was probably created because you can’t drink bleu cheese out of a straw. Simple yet delicious– a wedge of iceberg lettuce complimented by 2 cherry tomatoes and bleu cheese dressing.
So we came for a 10PM dinner on a random Thursday night, and I was overwhelmed by the specials on the board. Since I couldn’t decide on what I wanted, I opted for a little surf and turf– filet with shrimp. It complimented my wedge and rice well. Oh, and that Texas toast…
Definitely not the wisest move on my part considering this was probably the largest meal I have ever eaten at 10PM. C’est la vie. It was delicious.