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Pearl's New Orleans Kitchen
Category: Restaurants Cajun/Creole Cajun/Creole [Edit]
617 Ames StElk Rapids, MI 49629
(231) 264-0530
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
44 reviews for Pearl's New Orleans Kitchen
Review Highlights
"...Crawfish Dip and wonderful Fried Green Tomatoes appetizers."
(in 5 reviews)
"Cherry Margarita in a festive glass."
(in 5 reviews)
"Pearl's is a little piece of heaven in Northern Michigan."
(in 13 reviews)
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44 reviews in English
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Review from Kristin F.
Traverse City, MI
Updated - 8/27/2011 4 photos
We came to Pearl's last night and talked about the alligator the entire way. Welp, they're out of the alligator until mid-September, due to a storm that wiped out the poor little eggs. Le sigh. Nevertheless, we hadn't been to Pearl's in YEARS and agree that no other New Orleans creole quite compares.
We ordered the Bayou Sampler, and the waitress apologized repeatedly for being out of the gator- she offered to replace it with an app of our choice. Since we were already ordering the Creole shrimp and the Scallops, we replaced it with a bean cake. The cheesy grits, greens, oysters, and crab cake were also amazing.
Pearl's remains in my Top 5 Northern Michigan restaurants. We'll be back come October when the alligator is guaranteed to be there- yum yum.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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2/3/2011
I was reminded of Pearl's when I was on the phone with a real estate agent while at work, who was… Read more »
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Review from Laura C.
10/17/2011
For a small northern MI town, I could see the appeal of this place. It's kitschy-cute with tons of knickknacks and relics of New Orleans that could easily be picked up in any souvenir store in the south. The voodoo dolls and giant blue sea monster almost mock the city in an overkill of decor. Countless bottles of hot sauce line the back room, and the place has a lively vibe.
After driving a half hour from our Traverse City hotel to get here on a recommendation, I was pretty disappointed with the food. The jalapeno cornbread was nicely spiced, but too cakey. We started with the blackened alligator, a small portion of chewy meat with no distinctive flavor. In addition, we had the corn mash whitefish cakes, which seemed like a poor man's crab cake. For our entrees, we had the pistachio tuna, which was served medium rare and had a gummy texture that suggested it wasn't the freshest fish on the block. The catfish was highlighted on the menu, so we tried that breaded and "smothered" with crawfish tails. Pretty hard to mess up fried fish, but one recommendation - get the tails on the side or the breading will get soggy before you're done eating. Also served alongside the catfish were hush puppies, which were actually the highlight of the meal. Perfectly cooked, crispy on the outside, and soft on the inside, these had the best flavor of any item I tried. We also had a couple orders of the etouffee, which is not the most aesthetically appealing dish with its overwhelming brown sauce. For dessert we split the buttermilk pie, which our server described as "apple pie without the apples." Well, I would have preferred the apple pie. No trip to a New Orleans spot would be complete without beignets, so we indulged in the beignet sundae, which also got pretty soggy in the ice cream. I felt like the beignets had been sitting around all day and briefly heated up right before serving.
Overall, it might be good for locals, but not a destination spot for out of towners. -
Review from Jeremy J.
Grand Rapids, MI
8/20/2011
Thanks to a solo adventure at Blue Tractor in downtown Traverse City earlier in the day, I'm not terribly hungry when we head to Pearl's New Orleans Kitchen for an early dinner, with good friends John and Di. Still, I know my duty and try to muster an appetite as we pull into the dirt parking lot. I'm a little worried to see some people standing outside in the oppressive heat. Does Pearl's get this busy, this early?
As it happens, the answer is yes...but we manage to snag the last four-top booth all the way in the back. It's not much cooler in here, however. The unseasonably hot and humid temps are taxing most air-conditioners this weekend, it seems. We order ice water to start, and I like the sound of the cocktail du jour. It is lemongrass-infused True North vodka with sweet-n-sour and a touch of grapefruit juice, I believe. Very refreshing and not too sweet. The cool drink and the scent of cajun food helps prod my stomach into action.
There are a lot of fun appetizers on the menu--including alligator, oysters, and fried green tomatoes--but I'm just not feeling up to the task. Juliet orders some cheddar grits for the table to share. From the one spoonful I tried, they were quiet delicious: cheesy, creamy, and studded with chunks of andouille sausage.
Seafood seems to be the dominant choice, but I'm just not feeling it tonight. Thankfully, there are five different combinations for Étouffée and the andouille is calling my name. The overlarge bowl platter brims with sausage in a thick roux of rice, tomatoes, onions, red peppers, and okra. It is pitch-perfect cajun food, piping hot and delicious. There is a gumminess to the mixture that is not altogether unpleasant. I struggle to finish the meal, picking out chunks of sausage even though I'm full.
Dessert is, of course, out of the question (even though we'd been told the bread pudding is phenomenal). I do try a slice of John's blackened tuna, very rare in the center, and I immediately regret steering clear of the seafood. It is amazingly fresh and succulent, with a nice kick. Di's blackened marlin is also tasty, exhibiting texture like a thick piece of pork.
We pay the bill and head back out into the heat, promising ourselves that we must--no, need--to get back to Pearl's in the near future for more of the authentic gulf coast cuisine. Next time, I'll probably go with the tuna. -
Review from Heath P.
Palm Desert, CA
12/7/2011
Everything about Pearl's is outstanding. Their food, drinks, and service are off the charts. To begin, the bloody marys and the margies (red mesa) are ridic. I fly all the from SoCal to have as many of the entrees as possible each summer. There is not a less than item on the entire menu. If there were more stars to give, I would. Go, indulge, you will be ecstatic. Promise.
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Review from Jen L.
Canton, MI
7/12/2011
A very fun and tasty restaurant, very unexpected for its location in northern MI.
We went for a late lunch on a Sunday and found the brunch menu. We enjoyed our po'boy sandwiches and tasty soup. The atmosphere is nice, the walls are covered with bottles of hot sauce and voodoo dolls. The service was really good.
Just watch out for the cement parking barriers in the parking lot. They're easy to run over. ;) -
Review from Lesley H.
Berkley, MI
8/9/2011
I've been trying to make it to this place for years, and it never seemed to work out. Well, I finally made it, and now I know what I've been missing out on! We stopped in on a Thursday at about 6:00 on our way home from the up-north region. We arrived at just the right time - 5 minutes later and we would have been waiting for a table.
Our server came over to our table promptly to take our drink orders and bring us some bread (the jalapeno cornbread was delicious). My husband and I each ordered a cocktail (the Sazerac and Cherry Margarita, respectively), and both were excellent. We decided to start with a couple of appetizers - the Fried Green Tomatoes and Alligator - and neither of them disappointed. We attended a wedding in Charleston, SC last summer and had our share of Fried Green Tomatoes while we were down there, and these were right up there with any that we had there.
For our entrees, my husband ordered the Etouffee (with crawfish and andouille) and I ordered the Buttermilk Fried Chicken, which came with cheddar mashed potatoes and collard greens on the side. The Etouffee was excellent, not too soupy, not too thick, and perfectly spiced. My chicken was equally as good - the coating was crispy and the chicken was some of the juiciest I've ever had. I've come to be disappointed by most collard greens I've had at restaurants in Michigan, but these were fantastic.
We were too full for dessert, but we saw Bananas Foster being delivered to a nearby table and it looked tasty. Also, they have buttermilk pie! I've never seen this on a menu in MI. Overall, the service was great. Our server was very attentive and knowledgeable about the menu. I would highly recommend this place to anyone! -
Review from Nate and Justine B.
Richmond, IN
8/3/2011
Pearls is one of only two 5 star ratings that we've given. We are consistently impressed by the caliber of the food here.
Bring vegetarians! The Plantation Platter is Veg, and to DIE for ($14)
This past visit we had a party of 11, including a baby. We waited about an hour (NOTE: you will probably have to wait for a table. Plan some extra time, or have a snack before dinner; it will be worth it! If you have a party of 8 or more they said you can call ahead to reserve a spot), but they have a great outside patio where you can wait, and they serve drinks.
We got seated inside and huddled down with our menu's. There is a glossary of terms in the back for anyone who is new to New Orleans style food. My husband always orders the Etoufee with crawfish ($16.80), and I ordered the New Orleans Barbequed Shrimp Dinner ($18.50). They also have soda's from a local company, including Orange Dream and Black Cherry ($2.30 with free refills).
The BBQ shrimp was incredible. It came with some of the amazing french bread, and I think I used that to soak up ALL of the sauce. The BBQ shrimp is a peel-at-the-table, so it's a little messy, but for me it makes it all the more fun. My husband loves the Etoufee, he says it has excellent cajun spices without being overwhelmingly hot. They don't skimp on their crawfish.
Another nod has to be given to the great drinks that they serve. We LOVE the Cherry Margarita, the Grilled Apple Mojito, and the Big Easy Mary comes with a cooked crawfish in it!
For the party of six that we paid for, plus desserts (we love the bananas foster), we ended up spending $130. The waiters and waitresses are always SUPER friendly. This place is amazing! -
Review from B.S. T.
Interlochen, MI
9/30/2011
This was our 2d visit and we were again happy with our meals as well as our service. Both visits were at lunch and we did not experience any wait. I would describe meals as "amazing" but most dishes were very good to good.
Recommended: Fried green tomatoes. Jalapeno Corn bread. Cheese grits. Pecan crusted pork loin with blue cheese sauce with dried cherries. Vegetarian sampler.
Not so: Chopped bourbon-marinated pork sandwich.
Would definitely go back. -
Review from Kellen W.
Murray, KY
7/11/2011
It pains me to leave such a low rating for this place. The food was good but honestly the service was not great.
Our group of 6 went there for dinner and we were told it would be a 40 minute wait. That's ok, we'll order some drinks and hangout outside on the patio. As time went on we watched groups that had come after us (including a group of 8!) being seated. We checked on the status of our table a couple times and they kept saying "You should be next." Well, one hour and 15 minutes later we were finally sat.
This would have been a one star review had it not been for the food. The meals we all ordered were very good. Beware: If you order anything 'blackened' it will be very spicy! My wife and friend ordered the blackened pork loin and asked for it to be lightly seasoned (which it was) but it still had a ton of heat. Portions are large. The mixed drinks leave a lot to be desired, stick to anything pre-mixed or bottled. -
Review from Keith W.
Baltimore, MD
9/4/2011 1 Check-in Here
Pearl's is great and a staple of my visits to Traverse City. It's been several weeks since I checked in here but I know from previous experience that the burgers are great and I have not yet had a bad meal there. If you haven't been, do attend! Service was great and eating outside (though right next to a speedy road) still is pleasant.
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Review from Todd G.
Mundelein, IL
7/7/2011
We vacation in Northern Michigan at least once, usually twice a year. Our must stop restaurant is Pearls. If you like okra gumbo, Pearls is the place for it. The gumbo has been consistently excellent for over the 12 years we've been going there.
The bar menu is pretty diverse, offering a nice assortment of local and name brand beers and wines. The house cocktail specialties are very diverse and creative as well, my favorite being their moonshine.
My wife is somewhat a creature of habit and always orders either the jambalaya or the étouffée which has always been very good through the years.
I, on the other hand, like to see what they have on special or try new things. Last night I had a new whitefish dish on the menu. It was excellent. The roasted whitefish served over sautéed spinach with a side of red beans and rice. The dish was very tasty and cooked perfectly.
Our daughter had the braised beef brisket. It was also very tasty and prepared perfectly.
Service was pretty good, not extremely fast. As usual during the summer they were very busy even for a Wednesday. Our entrees were a bit slow coming out, but not horrible. It gave us a chance to enjoy each others company. Our server towards the end of our meal disappeared for a while, but in his defense it appeared he was given a "high maintenance" table.
Overall, if you're looking for something different than same old, same old; Pearls is a local favorite that definitely delivers. -
Review from Mark H.
Cadillac, MI
3/9/2011
Wonderful Mardi Gras meal last night. The place was fun, the food great and the music added the special touch.
I had Ahi Tuna that was to die for! It was worth the drive from Cadillac! -
Review from Caroline M.
Chicago, IL
1/8/2011 3 photos
There may not be a lot of dining options in Elk Rapids but what they do have (Pearl's!) is freakin' fabulous! I was staying in Elk Rapids for a long weekend with some friends and ended up doing dinner and brunch here.
The bartenders and servers here are sweet as apple pie. They know many of the patrons here by name. The like to chit chat with you. The other patrons like to chit chat with you. Everyone seems to be touched by that country charm and hospitality.
For dinner I was a little disappointed to see no shrimp and grits entree on the menu. I had my country girl heart (for the weekend) set on shrimp and grits, dammit. I remedied this by ordering the cajun shrimp appetizer with a side of cheddar grits. The portion was a little small, but flavorwise it was everything my country girl tastebuds longed for.
Onto brunch food. I ordered the crawfish benedict which came with crawfish cakes and 2 eggs benedict. The poached eggs were as beautiful as any I have had in Chicago. The crawfish cakes were seasoned perfectly, not too spicy or overpowering for the delicate eggs. Bottomless coffee and great bloody marys.
Pearl's is a rightful Elk Rapids staple. Count 3 city girls impressed.Listed in: Pure Michigan
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Review from AVID C.
Guadalupita, NM
9/22/2011
Great place with many choices. I had the vegetarian sampler which were bean cakes, fried green tomatoes, wilted greens and cheese grits. All were excellent. Bean cake and tomatoes had crispy crusts. Sauces were chunky and fresh. The grits were smooth and heavenly and the greens were sweet. The fried chicken dinner, salmon salad, and whitefish entrees were all devoured by the other members of our party with happy satisfaction. All in all, an excellent place to eat in Northern Michigan.
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Review from Mindy M.
Denver, CO
7/31/2011
Pearls is a great little slice of authentic New Orleans food in Northern Michigan. The wait staff was friendly and the food portions were hearty - midwestern style! The food was rich but tasty. I love spicy food and this did not disappoint. I even snuck a few bites of my husband's étouffée which I had never tried and loved it! Pearls maintains a busy crowd even midweek in the summer so it doesn't hurt to eat a little earlier - or later - than usual to quickly snag a table.
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Review from Diana D.
East Lansing, MI
9/16/2011
What a disappointment!!! If you've had real Cajun food in the south; if this is what you want and expect -- Warning: Do NOT go to Pearl's. Food is so-so and very pricy for what you get. Everything is ala carte. Service is poor. We own a home in the area. Have tried Pearl's from time to time over the years. Always a big disappointment. We are totally baffled by what people see in this place. It must be the great bar.
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Review from Christopher B.
Yuma, AZ
7/13/2011 1 Check-in Here
I returned here after about a decade for the happy hour- I was not impressed. I ordered Oysters Rockefeller, which was topped with bits of pork (not in the menu-description) and the waitress didn't offer to take them back when I communicated that I don't eat pork. The fried catfish strips were decent at best. The service was fairly friendly and punctual though.
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Review from Carri A.
Chicago, IL
8/16/2010
This is a fixture for dinner when visiting my friend's lakehouse in Alden. The food is dynamite (seriously, order anything and it's going to be delicious) and the drinks are potent. Prices are decent but the service is what keeps this humble review at four stars instead of five.
I came here on Saturday and though we had a big party (12 people) we called a couple of days earlier and was told to come at 8.30 pm. They dont do reservations officially but we were not seated until 9.15 pm. Now, we are big people and had been out on a boat all day - we were tired and starving. For us to wait 45 minutes after the time we were told to show up seemed like days. But once the baskets of rolls and cornbread appeared, we were back to our charming selves.
We started with the fabulously creamy Crawfish Dip and wonderful Fried Green Tomatoes appetizers. I ordered and thoroughly enjoyed eating the Bronzed Shrimp Alfredo. I literally ate until I thought I was going to barf. I couldnt stop! So good.
There's a lot of crap on the walls (and ceiling!) and it can be overwhelming but it has it's charm. -
Review from Jared C.
Orlando, FL
7/26/2010
I have been eating at Pearl's for a good part of my life, and it will always be an old favorite. Pearl's provides a fun atmosphere, with great service, and most importantly, GREAT cajun food!!!
Among my favorite aspects of this establishment is the homemade jalapeno cheddar cornbread they bring to the table to start the party. The sweet, spicy, and savory flavors all a real winning combination! If your extra hungry, I would recommend starting your meal with the gumbo. Tons of chicken and sausage, perfect amount of spice.
For the entree, I have almost always exclusively gotten the fried chicken. And let me tell you, it is by far the best in the region. The collard greens and cheddar mashed potatoes that come on the side are on par with similar dishes I have tried in the Southern United States.
However, on my last visit I decided to get the hanger steak...and let me tell you, it did not disappoint!! I ordered it medium, and it came out awfully red, but aside from that I thought it was good. I would not reccomend ordering it blackened as I did unless you are really looking to be sweating hardcore by the end of the meal.
If your craving the Bayou in the great North, do yourself a favor and head to pearl's for some great food! -
Review from Alison A.
Eastport, MI
8/24/2011 1 Check-in Here
This is the best restaurant in town. The best drink is the cherry margarita and all of their food is great, even the fried catfish tails which scared me at first. The service is always really good and everyone is so friendly. It can be super busy but it is well worth any wait.
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Review from John C.
Scottsdale, AZ
Updated - 7/21/2011
An Outstanding Restaurant! Just enjoyed a marvelous Jambalaya celebrating my 74th Birthday; If ever nearby, DO NOT MISS this one.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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7/13/2009
Wonderful wonderful menu with great cajun offerings and a wide variety of creative fish and pasta… Read more »
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Review from Sara P.
10/29/2010
My party and I dined at Pearl's for a family meet and greet dinner before a wedding and even though I lived in the area for over seven years, I had Pearl's maybe once or twice. I never really liked it that much. Why? It may be because I don't much care for spicy food. Now, before I go any further let me just say I'm not silly enough to review a place negatively based on the fact that I simply don't like the type of food they are preparing. Pearl's is a New Orleans style kitchen, so if you don't like spicy food, it won't be your cup of tea.
You might be wondering why I would choose Pearl's if I didn't like spicy food. Because their reputation is just that good. We had people coming from out of the country who wanted to try something unique. When your other options are Olive Garden, Red Lobster, etc, Pearl's is by far the best choice.
We also choose Pearl's because 5% of every dollar spent on our meal went directly to a local food charity, which is a mighty awesome thing.
Everyone in our party was extremely satisfied with their meal, their drinks, and the service.
Pearl's loses two stars however (making it A-OK) because there's only one vegetarian meal on the menu, and it's a sandwich. With a menu as large as theirs, and the experience from the chefs fairly extensive in variety (such as alligator and buffalo), I would appreciate some more vegetarian options. -
Review from Nicole lee S.
Tampa, FL
10/8/2007
Absolutely fantastic. As I've said before, there's not a lot of ethnic diversity in Traverse City, but I continue to live in and love it regardless. But I think, and maybe this is a fluke, but Pearl's is a great example of good ethnic cuisine.
In the cajun/creole category, it is a great restaurant all around. Everything from the service, to the food and bar.
I feel proud to come from the town that is the home to this great eatery. As a matter of fact, I've met people that have come from *out of state* to go to this restaurant, even when they could have gone to the south, where creole/cajun actually comes from.
Kudos to you, Pearl's. You rock. -
Review from Mike D.
Wheaton, IL
6/1/2011
Cherry margarita is amazing, real smashed cherries in the mix. Overall down to service with a great neighborhood atmosphere. The collard greens created an addict out of me
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Review from Edward W.
What a great surprise to find this great authentic new Orleans place. Fun decor. Great service. Good food. The alligator bites were a little tough but if I were an alligator I guess I'd try to be a little tough too. The hurricanes were pricey but very good. Muffeletta very good. Kids liked the food and loved playing I Spy with all the great things to look at. We'll be back.
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Review from Tom Z.
Lincolnshire, IL
7/25/2010
Been there once, just this past July. Observations:
Plus:
-Super Friendly Bartenders (gave us 2 free pint glasses since our first visit), plenty of attention
Negative:
Well, we had to eat our meal in the bar due to packed crowd.
Positive, Negative:
considering how cramped the tables were jammed together, the bar was, in retrospect, the best place to eat.
Negative:
Must have been over 90 degrees in restaurant and no fans (I went to restroom to wash my face and hands in ice cold water to keep from passing out)
Positive:
Best jalapeno cord muffins on the planet, not the least bit over-bearing in spice
Negatve:
Worst corn grits on the planet
Positive:
They didn't charge us for the grits!
Positive:
Cherry Margarita in a festive glass
Ice Cold Oberon -
Review from Rebecca T.
Clawson, MI
10/25/2009
I gave it an extra star for the ambiance, more specifically, the womens bathroom, because what's not to love about a painted mural of various colorful characters (a man in a dress, a large man with no shirt on, who I posed by rubbing his belly).
Food was okay, nothing really earth shattering about my meal (the blackened catfish po'boy sandwich with creole chips), the bloody mary I tasted was delicious, not to mention the cheddar grits that a friend ordered.
Great atmosphere, countless bottles of hot sauce line the walls, and plenty of photo ops. -
Review from Josh G.
Traverse City, MI
10/17/2011
Had my first experience at Pearls yesterday and fell in love with the place! Great food, perfectly portioned and decently priced. Carin, our waitress was wonderful! After my wife mentioned have a shellfish allergy Carin took the time to make sure her food was prepared nowhere near shellfish, even our wings appetizer was cooked differently so there was no chance of cross contamination! We will definitely be returning!
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Review from Chris V.
Ypsilanti, MI
2/17/2009
Pearl's is a little piece of heaven in Northern Michigan. It's a lot more removed than other restaurants in the area of it's caliber, tucked away quietly back in Elk Rapids, but anyone traveling to (or living in) the area with a penchant for spice should make the trek. Even though I grew up in arguably the one of the least cajun places in the union (Traverse City, second only to Fargo), I have a crazy penchant for this kind of food.
I haven't had a bad dish here yet! The cornbread in particular always makes my mouth water - I've never ever gotten it that good at home. The jambalaya and crawfish dishes are both scrumptious as well. Good & friendly service, to boot. The atmosphere is a little over the top, but isn't that what one does when giving an homage to the French Quarter? -
Review from sara k.
Traverse City, MI
7/10/2009
Love the vibe at Pearl's. The classic Nawlin's/Mardi Gras motif lends to the Cajun menu. Friendly servers. Usually very prompt. A much needed restaurant...the only in its category that I know of in NW MI. Now, what to eat and drink:
* Short's anything microbrews
* Bloodies
* Hurricane
* Wings
* Fried mud bugs
* Blackened alligator
* Corn bread and French bread (comes with meal)
* Fried chicken salad
* Muffaletta
* Creole shrimp and pasta
* Greens
Now go home and grab a Tums.
Locals: You should already know, but don't forget about Po' Boy and a Pint during off-seasons! -
Review from Myrna J.
Long Beach, CA
5/14/2007
I'm giving this 4 stars mostly because they are generally a fun place to go. You'll find cajun food, southern food, really pretty well done for a Northern Michigan place. They don't usually have a band, but they should because it's that kind of place.
I went there night before last after a show and had some yummy chicken wings in some sort of sauce, collard greens in a corn meal sort of thing with cajun sausages. Strange meal but good.
Pretty friendly and reasonably good service if you don't get there on a really really busy night like mid summer Saturday night.
It's worth a visit if you are looking for some tasty food in a bland food world. -
Review from Torrie K.
Chicago, IL
6/21/2010
Pearls is great. I have never had anything I didn't absolutely enjoy there. The atmosphere is fun, the staff our fun, the bartenders are AWESOME. (Crazy Lady gets six stars). My personal fav are the po boy's, but I have had several entrees there as well that have never left me unsatisfied. The best deal is on Wednesday nights during the off season, when you used to be able to get a po boy and a pint for like $7 (not sure if that's still around). Thankfully my parents still live in ER and I get to drive by this little gem everytime I go home, which in turn ensures that I almost always stop in for a visit. Definitely check out Pearls, you'll be glad you did.
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Review from ELVEN B.
Colorado Springs, CO
10/2/2010
Not really good at all. Fried stuff shouldn't be that hard to do decent, but they totally miss it here. I had the Buffalo Stroganoff, the Buffalo meat was cold and the sauce pretty bland, probably less enjoyable than a TV dinner. We sampled some of the fried stuff, and a novice cook like myself can get a better crisp on stuff(hint: don't use bread crumbs on everything?) Wilted greens in the salad, pretty much your typical Michigan place - where your hopes are up but once again let down.
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Review from Lori Taylor R.
Chicago, IL
7/28/2009
This review is based strictly on the libations and with that said: Pearl's knows how to make a Bloody. I crave this drink every time I am in Northern MI. It's a summer tradition! The perfect proportions, blended beautifully in a chilled jar, rimmed with the right spice and garnished with carrot, stuffed jalapeno and a craw-fish. Need I say more!
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Review from John B.
Grand Rapids, MI
6/20/2008
We spend alot of time in Northern Michigan and head to Pearl's every chance we get. It's hard to believe that the flavors of the "quarter" can be captured "up north" but Pear's comes close. My favorite is their mixed grill featuring blackened pork loin, New Orleans BBQ shrimp and andollie sausage with peppers over a great cajun stuffing. Save room for dessert! This place is very busy during the season so plan to wait, but it is worth it.
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Review from Jane C.
Elk Rapids, MI
9/9/2010
Good food, busy during the summer. Great specials in the winter
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Review from Jennifer G.
Chicago, IL
8/8/2010
If you're ever in the area, I would definitely recommend stopping in at Pearl's for some good Cajun cooking!
I started with the house salad with a sweet honey jalapeno dressing. Nothing too spicy, but yet still had a kick to it. I then had the 'peel yourself' barbecue shrimp. To me the sauce wasn't barbecue - but more so a worchestire sauce concoction. Still good - but not really barbecue.
My husband started with a bowl of their gumbo which he thought had a very nice spice and then had their shrimp jambalaya. The jambalaya was a bit different than most places as it had a full chicken (on the bone) in it. A little unusual, but still quite good.
I just wish we had left room for dessert. The table next to us got the flaming bananas foster and it looked delicious! -
Review from Walter R.
Traverse City, MI
7/19/2010
One of the best restaurants in Northern Michigan. Cajun/Creole food that rivals New Orleans, no joke. Fun atmosphere, great drinks and consistently solid service.
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Review from Jeff H.
Kewadin, MI
7/3/2010
Beautiful restaurant. Try the alligator and the top-shelf liquor, including select Bourbons, Gin, and my fav... Absinthe :-)
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Review from Suzanne M.
Traverse City, MI
1/8/2009
Pearl's is the best! A fun place to eat with great service, a varied menu and decent prices. Try the Hot 'n Dirty Martini, made with vodka steeped with jalapeno peppers . . . yum! They also have fantastic Bloody Marys. Red Beans and Rice, Cheese Grits and Blackened Alligator are some of my favorite appetizer/sides. I often combine a couple of sides to have instead of an entree. My favorite dinner is the Bayou Mixed Grill . . . absolutely fabulous. I've been to Pearl's many times and I've never had anything less than a 4-star experience.
