Lucy’s

The Coastguard is one of Lucy’s signature sandwiches. Photo by Elizabeth Granger.

The dining room at Lucy’s in Grand Haven was pretty much empty when my daughter, son-in-law and I walked in for an early dinner recently.

I was surprised, but only for a moment. The outdoor patio – they call it the Backyard – was full. So full that we took a booth inside. And then the inside tables filled up, too.

This former deli has hit the jackpot with dining ideas. A variety of menu options, attentive servers, comfortable surroundings both inside and outside, and live entertainment.

Server Nolani Cano offered comments about each section of the menu. We listened – and were smart enough to take her advice. It started with a couple beers – Lucy’s Lager from the Grand Armory Brewing – partnered with the baked feta appetizer. It looked too pretty to disturb. But, well, we were there for dinner.

I made sure to take a picture first. I just might frame it for my kitchen wall – it’s that stunning.

Cano suggested crushing the tomatoes a bit to mix the flavors. Good idea.

The sandwiches, she said, were Lucy’s staples. They’d been satisfying customers for years when Lucy’s had not yet morphed from deli to restaurant. They’re still customer favorites. So my son-in-law ordered The Coastguard. Honey ham and gouda grilled on a pretzel bun. It’s one of the signature sandwiches, along with The Dune, which features roasted chicken, bacon and provolone on a grilled focaccia bun.

My daughter opted for the pesto chicken bowl with rice, black beans, onion, cherry tomatoes. I think she added the avocado.

Live entertainment in Lucy’s Backyard includes Fruitport’s Curt Hines. Country is just one genre in his repertoire of covers.
Photo by Elizabeth Granger.

The lettuce wrap is another customer favorite under the “Big Bites” section of the menu.

And then Cano told us the flatbreads were “very popular.” That they make “good shareables.” Her favorite? The Lucy in the Sky. I was sold. Sort of like a pizza but not really, she said. Truth be told, it was its name that caught me. Skip the LSD interpretation; I did look to see if it sparkled like diamonds.

Curt Hines was still outside with his guitar when we finished eating, so we sauntered out for a few tunes. “Like country?” he asked, then slid into Kenny Rogers’ “The Gambler.” I’ll return for Hines. My daughter says she’ll check out Lucy’s jazz night.


Lucy’s
133 Columbus Ave.
Grand Haven, MI 49417
(616) 850-2665