Family Tavern, 114 Main St, Caledonia ~ 11/11/21

We walked in and immediately to our right, there was a baby on the floor and three little kids playing at a pool table (not pictured), so I guess this is really a family tavern 😊
We took one of the six high-tops against the wall and checked the place out.
The space is a large, open room with the bar at the back and two pool tables along one wall.
Live music takes place on the weekends.
The facility itself is not warm and cozy (cinder block wall) but the atmosphere is very friendly and welcoming, even if you are not a recognized regular 😊
Sunny was our server and she was awesome. Most importantly, she let us know that beer sizes came in small, large, and big-ass. Our beer drinkers settled on large: a Blueberry Summer Shanty from Saugatuck Brewery, Perrin Blackberry,and a Sam Adams Winter Lager. The Pinot Grigio arrived in a plastic wine glass (ugh).
When available, we like to start with a Tots appetizer. Out of their six Loaded Tots items, we chose The Santa Fe Tots and loved them (chicken, corn, black beans, and tots accompanied by salsa, sour cream, ranch, sweet chili and spicy guacamole).
The two-sided food menu is large, with something for everyone.
We ordered a Shrimp basket,
Pollock basket,
Fishwich,
and a special of the night, a Chicken BLT with Beef Barley soup. The soup was excellent with lots of barley, thyme, potatoes, and vegetables. 
The food was all well-prepared and delicious. Of special note was the top notch house made cole slaw with celery seed.
The ceiling is covered with dollar bills put up by customers. According to our server, at the end of the year, the owner takes them down and donates to a charity. It's a lovely, community idea.
After we left and read up on the place a bit, we realized that the Family Tavern is noted for its burgers. So after a hike at Caledonia Lakeside Park a few weeks later (shoutout for this park), we came back for a burger lunch, and were not disappointed.
The Mushroom Swiss Burger,
and the irresistible Jodi Burger. Oh my 😀
The Family Tavern has Trivia Night and Pool Leagues, and the lower level, where comedy shows are held once a month, can be rented for private parties.
The staff is friendly and efficient, and the food is way above typical bar food. 
In January of 2022, the family-owned bar celebrated being in business for 50 years. Linda and Neil Vander Velde started the business in 1972 and sold it to their daughter, Jodi, ten years ago. That is certainly something to celebrate.
So do stop in sometime. Just be careful on your way out. We almost lost someone on that last step 😊 

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