Sleder’s Family Tavern

Sleder’s is the oldest, continuously operating restaurant in the state of Michigan, having opened in 1882. The food is consistently good comfort food and bar fare featuring burgers, sandwiches, ribs, fried food, Mexican staples, and salads. They have a number of beers on tap and reasonable prices. It’s not fancy. But it’s a solid value for a meal or drink in Traverse City.

I ordered the blue cheese & bacon burger. When it came out the burger (meat) was cold, and instead of blue cheese crumbles the burger was completely covered in a blue cheese dressing. The burger was so disgustingly messy it was difficult to eat even with a fork & knife.
Service was slow, and we barely saw our server.
As we were getting ready to leave heard clam chowder was their «soup of the day» wish our server would have advised us before we ordered.

Have you «Smooched the Moose yet? That’s the slogan at Sleder’s. It’s the oldest bar/​restaurant in Traverse City. Located at the edge of downtown in an old charming house, Sleder’s has various bison, deer, and the infamous Moose heads adorning the walls. If you «Smootch the Moose» they ring a bell for you. Came in on a rainy, cold August evening for a drink and a small bite to eat. The place was packed and there were all ages from young to old inside. Had the nachos and they were good but nothing spectacular. Good size portion (enough to share). Prices were decent and they made a good Citron and soda. The burgers looked pretty darn good so I’d come back for that.

Interesting location/​memorabilia with the history of the place being the oldest restaurant in Michigan but that’s about it.
The food is on par with a big boys. Really nothing special and I even think big boys would have tasted better.
Our waitress was really nice. And the hostesses were too. Mainly the food is just bleh which is why I wouldn’t recommend it.

On a recent family trip we went there with my nieces and nephews since it was recommended by a family friend. This place looks like an «Up North» bar with all of the creatures mounted on the wall (both fictional and real) with the attraction being that you have to kiss the moose. They have a few moose heads there but it is a tradition at this place to take the step ladder and kiss the moose. When you do the bartenders ring the bell and everyone in the front area watches you.
This has the standard greasy spoon menu and a pretty extensive beer selection with tons of MI and Traverse City breweries represented on it. They do have a small section of Mexican food, which doesn’t seem to fit in.
The waitress was an older woman that was super helpful with the little kids and getting their food first to keep them happy while the adults drank and ordered.
I had the Reuben that was good with some home made chips. Overall, it was a decent meal but you go there for the kids to be entertained or if you want to check out the items on the wall (very old time).