• CLOSED: Bartertown Diner

  • (19)
    11

    Closed

  • White Vegan
Vegan
American
Delivery
Take-out
Catering

American diner fare. Changed ownership in early-2016 and is no longer a worker's collective. Menu also became fully vegan and changes based on seasonal ingredients. Has raw food, daily specials. Eco-friendly interior. SEP 2016 REPORTED SHUT.


Venue map for Bartertown Diner
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19 Reviews

First Review by erbavore9

97%

Points +92

Mostly Veg
28 Sep 2016

Tofu chorizo!

Now named The Garden, still all vegan. We had the dlx chickpea melt sandwich w/ maple smoked tempeh bacon, tofu chorizo tacos (excellent) & very good & original smoothies. (Almond milk is the default, non-nut available). The breakfast menu looks good, must go back! Great service, tips included w/ cool option to pay it forward.

Pros: Tofu Chorizo! Smoothies

sbszine

Points +250

Vegan
15 Sep 2016

Excellent

While visiting Squaresville USA, it was a tremendous relief to get a big plate of breakfast from a bunch of super posi punk kids. In lieu of tips they take donations to feed the homeless (of which there are many within a five block radius). Right on.

Pros: Friendly staff, Delicious all vegan menu, Beautiful space

Cons: No coffee machine (drip filter only)

XOXO

Points +1760

Vegan
09 Sep 2016

Good food

Best thing, the have breakfast all day long! So go for that oat meal at 6 PM! Awesome!

Marcyp7

Points +188

Vegan
13 Aug 2016

Delicious!

Love this great vegan restaurant. Delicious food, great atmosphere and great location. I love the idea of donating food to the homeless instead of tipping because they pay their employees a living wage! Very friendly.

ErikaGill

Points +22

Vegan
11 Aug 2016

Great first experience

I'm not from the area and I don't have a lot of vegan places where I live so going to a place that had all vegan options was great. I really enjoyed the chickpea melt! Service wasn't excellent but she also did look really busy.

Pros: Variety of options

Swansonbuns

Points +172

Vegan
09 Jul 2016

Delicious Food and Ethical Practices

This fully vegan restaurant is delicious! They have smoothies, teas, coffee, burrito toes, sandwiches, salads, raw options, soups, beans, tacos, and they serve breakfast all day. I had the large breakfast plate with French toast. The potatoes and tofu scramble were scrumptiously spiced and the French toast was the best vegan French toast I've ever had. My husband had the Reuben with tofu and said he bread was superb and he felt like he could stop eating Reubens if all vegan Reubens were like that. You need to bring coins for meter parking and it can take a minute to find out. Sometimes the line to pay at the counter gets a little long but it was worth it. You don't tip because the believe in paying fair wages and ask that you spend 2-3 bucks to buy a menu for a family in need. There menu is seasonal and local.

Pros: all vegan, taste, comfort food on menu

Cons: parking , busy at times

NML

Points +477

Vegan
04 Feb 2016

Nice Atmosphere & Decent Food

The best things about Bartertown are that they are worker-owned, have knowledgeable/friendly staff, and source local ingredients. I sincerely applaud these aspects of the business. These are the reasons that I continue to eat there, especially later in the evening when other restaurants with vegan options are closed. Their food is good, but not spectacular. Much of it it typical vegan fare that can easily be made at home. I appreciate that they have gluten-free/vegan desserts with little added sugar, but am always disappointed by the overall taste and texture of the raw cheesecakes that I have had on a number of occasions. I keep wanting to like the desserts. When I go out for vegan food, I am looking for things that are different. Their main menu gluten-free options are quite limited, though the staff is good at pointing out substitutions and modifications. The latest remodel really cleaned up and improved the vibe of the place. If you are looking for reasonably priced food in generous portions, then Bartertown Diner is a great place.

Pros: Nice vibe, Friendly & Helpful Staff

Cons: Average food, Limited gluten-free offerings

kapustaparty

Points +21

Vegan
17 Aug 2015

Don't bother.

Bartertown is very overpriced, especially since the food is something everyone could easily make at home. The quality of the food has been lacking the last few times I have gone (over cooked, included char from the flat top, a rock solid waffle...) and each trip seems to get a little worse. The staff has always been incredibly rude and off-putting. For example, my mother came to visit and we went there for breakfast. I failed to tell my mom that we have to go up to the counter at the end of the meal to pay, and when she asked the waitress if we could get the check the response she received was a very cold "are you kidding me?" I want to like Bartertown so much as it's the only place in town with a big vegan breakfast menu, but if the food is poor quality and the staff doesn't have a grasp on being polite and having basic manners, I don't see it as a place I will ever recommend.

Pros: Good location.

Cons: Terrible service, Sub-par food, Overpriced

KatieB

Points +417

Vegan
01 May 2015

Yes YES YESSSSSSSSSSSS

Had to make an effort to dine here on a quick trip to Grand Rapids. Parking was a challenge b/c I didn't have any change on me, but it was worth it! I stopped in, and after a few minutes, someone noticed me and invited me to sit anywhere. I said that I had never been there before (hoping for a recommendation...usually waitstaff will tell you what a place is "known for" or what their favorite is), but the waitress just handed me a menu and walked off. Everything on the menu looked good, so when she came back I ordered the herbed tofu sandwich with a garlic aioli and an iced chai on the side.
OMG- it came out quick, hot, and AMAZING. True to diner-style, it was greasy and messy, but SO DELICIOUS. I want to go back and try EVERYTHING, but alas, I was only in GR for a day.

Pros: Huge Vegan Selection, AMAZING flavor, Hot and Fast food

Cons: Parking, Service is mediocre, Music was VERY loud

missmanda

Points +119

Vegan
30 Dec 2014

Awesome All American Breakfast!

Had some amazing pancakes, tofu eggs and tempeh bacon here with my family! The menu was great, not too overwhelming, and the pancakes were fluffy and light. A great place to do Sunday brunch or grab a bite to eat with friends. It also had some pretty cool decor that was street art themed!

Jewels1anne

Points +17

Vegetarian
29 Jun 2013

Wonderful Food!

Wonderful food with lots of flavor, great friendly service. Look forward to another visit next time I am in Grand Rapids!

MichaelTaylor

Points +80

Vegan
05 Jun 2013

Great Vegan Diner with Vegetarian options

Awesome food and smoothies on a very casual environment. Everything I have tried has been very good and portions are generous also. Well worth the visit!

Pros: great food, great portions, friendly service

Cons: parking

gypsipixi

Points +24

Vegan
02 Jan 2013

a must try!!

This place is my favorite. The best harty began food in town. They are ever changing but always great food items. I love the staff as well, they are attentive and informed.

Pros: best food, great service, large portions and low cost

RunningCUTIE

Points +75

Vegan
06 Sep 2012

Very good!

We stopped by here for a late lunch and had a very enjoyable experience. A blueberry basil smoothie--creative and flavorful. Quite tasty! My husband had the Monstruo Verde, which was good. I had the Grandwich; I LOVED the beer cheese sauce. It was absolutely phenomenal. It was a little heavy on onions for my taste, but the overall effect was still very good. We really loved the ambiance--great atmosphere, friendly staff, and fabulous ideas and mission go into running and operating the diner. It was not the best vegan food we've had, but definitely worth the trip and still creative and unique!

Pros: Good food, Friendly staff, Unique/Admirable mission

AndrewDeHaan

Points +33

Vegetarian
24 Jul 2012

The Best

Bartertown is the best restaurant in Grand Rapids, MI. Where else are you going to find farm-to-table vegan food at this price, where the staff seems to genuinely enjoy their lives, and the food tastes this amazing? I had a raw pecan maple bar here once that was a life-affirming experience. I love the specials, the $2 tacos, the ever-evolving menus. Not to mention the selection of hot sauce--my god, I LOVE ALL THE HOT SAUCE. The waitstaff is genuinely nice, the atmosphere is fun and cozy, and every time I eat here I leave feeling like a better human being for both supporting a great establishment, and for treating my body so well.

cookie1908

Points +83

Vegetarian
21 Jun 2012

Get the Michigander 6 Sandwich!

My husband and I went to Bartertown specifically for the Michigander sandwich, and we were not disappointed. It was really fresh, tasty (cherries in the burger!), and filling. The roasted potoates were flavorful but a bit greasy for my taste. Loved that they offered vegan cheese. We ordered a smoothie, which we would not do again - it was runny/liquid-y with too strong of a kale flavor. We make better smoothies at home. :) Had to wait a while for someone to take our orders, and they weren't super busy...oh well. We did LOVE the Ipad they use to check out, they will text/email you the receipt.

Pros: Michigander Sandwich, Cool atmoshpere

Cons: Greasy roasted potatoes, Smoothies...meh, Service a bit distant

AugieWest

Points +17

Vegetarian
27 Apr 2012

We Loved It

As a vegan, being able to choose ANYTHING on the menu is very, very appealing. I chose the Reuben and found it exploding with great flavor. My wife had a Michigander 5 and the bite I had was awesome. My wife had a vegan root beer float, which she enjoyed very much. We look forward to coming back when we visit Grand Rapids, again.

Pros: vegan, healthy, local

suthenboy

Points +29

Raw
16 Apr 2012

Great Vegan Menu, Raw items too

Barter Town offers some great local vegan cuisine at a great price. The atmosphere hip and welcoming. Hats off to them for being a staff owned and operated business that embraces sustainability. Barter Town features some vegan raw menu items and also vegan and raw desserts. In the past they only took cash. They now accept credit and debit.

Pros: local food, staff owned, raw options

Cons: bathrooms

erbavore9

Points +246

Vegan
04 Aug 2011

Interesting philosophy, Interesting food

If you ever get a moment, talk to one of the workers (ie co-owners) about about the philosophy of the place. If you get the full version of story, then it will blow your mind. Its radical and mostly right on. The vibe seems to have struck a good chord in GR as Bartertown is relatively full on most days.

Raw Food Wednesdays ROCK. All raw food dishes that I have had were simply incredible. The only exception being the Chocolate Cheesecake. Carob was added to it and of course left it with a nasty aftertaste.
The Raw Pecan Bar is a GREAT VALUE at $4.75. It tastes like a $12 dessert from a High End California raw food restaurant.

The cooked food at Bartertown is simply ok. Over time, I am sure the food will evolve and get better. I wish the owners would all take a day off and go to "Chicago Diner" in Chicago. "Chicago Diner" food rocks and thus the 20 minute wait to sit down every night.

The cupcakes are fairly solid and tasty.
Clearly a 4 "happy cow" rating with the ability to move into a raving 5 cow rating.
Congrats Bartertown, I look forward to your food and your improvements.
Erb Avore

Pros: atmosphere, raw food, desserts and nachos

Cons: its a bit pricey, cooked food




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