A Small Michigan Tavern Serving Prime Rib People Travel Miles For

In the heart of downtown Traverse City, Mode’s Bum Steer has been a staple for decades, serving juicy prime rib and classic steakhouse favorites. Guests travel from near and far for hearty cuts of beef, old-school charm, and a welcoming, unpretentious atmosphere.

From perfectly cooked steaks to genuine northern Michigan hospitality, this cozy spot never disappoints. Its timeless appeal and friendly service make every visit feel like coming home to a true northern Michigan tradition.

A Classic Northern Michigan Steakhouse

Mode’s Bum Steer stands as a testament to what happens when tradition meets quality in the heart of northern Michigan. For years, this establishment has drawn diners from across the state, offering a straightforward steakhouse menu that focuses on doing a few things exceptionally well.

The location itself, nestled in the downtown Traverse City area, makes it easy to find yet maintains a certain charm that keeps it from feeling overly touristy.

You’ll find the restaurant at 125 E State St, Traverse City, MI 49684, right in the parking lot area where locals and travelers converge. The building’s exterior hints at the retro vibe waiting inside, with a facade that proudly announces its no-frills approach to dining.

Unlike many modern steakhouses that try to reinvent the wheel with fusion menus and trendy small plates, Mode’s sticks to what it knows. That dedication to classic steakhouse principles has earned it a loyal following that spans generations, with families returning year after year for the same reliable experience they’ve come to expect.

Mode’s Bum Steer Has Been A Local Favorite For Decades

Longevity in the restaurant business rarely happens by accident, and Mode’s has earned its staying power through consistent quality and genuine hospitality. Regulars speak of the place with a fondness usually reserved for family traditions, recounting meals from years past with remarkable clarity.

Some patrons mention bringing their children to the same spot where they dined as kids themselves, creating a multi-generational connection that goes beyond simple customer loyalty.

The restaurant operates Tuesday through Saturday, closing on Sundays and Mondays to give staff a proper break. During peak hours, especially Friday and Saturday nights when they stay open until midnight, the dining room fills with a mix of anniversary celebrators, business dinners, and friends gathering for a proper meal.

What keeps people coming back isn’t just nostalgia, though that certainly plays a role. The kitchen has maintained standards that many newer establishments struggle to achieve, delivering the same quality cut after cut.

Veterans on the waitstaff recognize familiar faces, often remembering drink preferences and favorite tables without being asked.

The Cozy, Retro Interior Feels Old-School

Stepping through the doors transports diners back several decades, with decor that embraces rather than apologizes for its vintage roots. Office chairs on wheels surround tables throughout the dining room, an unconventional choice that somehow adds to the quirky charm rather than detracting from it.

The carpet, lighting, and overall aesthetic speak to a 1970s sensibility that has been preserved rather than updated, creating an atmosphere that feels authentically lived-in.

Some reviewers describe the space as having a cigar-bar feel, with dim lighting and a snug layout that encourages intimate conversation. The tables sit close together, which can feel cramped during busy service but also contributes to the neighborhood tavern vibe that regulars appreciate.

Not everyone loves the dated aesthetic—a few critics mention worn carpet and dingy corners that could use refreshing. However, many more embrace the old-school charm as part of the overall experience, arguing that a pristine, modern renovation would strip away the very character that makes Mode’s special in an era of cookie-cutter dining rooms.

Prime Rib Is One Of The Menu’s Biggest Draws

Among all the offerings on the menu, prime rib stands as the undisputed star, mentioned in reviews more than any other single item. Diners rave about the tenderness, often noting that a simple butter knife cuts through the meat with minimal effort.

The kitchen offers various sizes, including a substantial 16-ounce portion that arrives at the table with all the classic accompaniments.

Preparation tends toward simplicity, allowing the quality of the beef to speak for itself rather than masking it with heavy seasonings or elaborate sauces. Some guests mention that the seasoning errs on the lighter side, which can be a plus for those who prefer to taste the natural flavor of well-marbled meat.

Regulars often order their prime rib rare or medium-rare, trusting the kitchen to deliver the proper internal temperature without overcooking. The restaurant has built its reputation largely on this single dish, with families planning special trips specifically to enjoy it.

At lunch, the prime rib continues to draw crowds, proving that this isn’t just a dinner-only specialty but an all-day attraction worth the visit.

Steaks Are Cooked The Way Regulars Expect

Beyond prime rib, the menu features a solid lineup of traditional steakhouse cuts including filet mignon, New York strip, T-bone, and porterhouse options. Experienced diners appreciate that the kitchen takes temperature requests seriously, though opinions vary on execution consistency.

When things go right, steaks arrive with proper searing and the requested level of doneness, earning enthusiastic praise from satisfied customers.

However, not every review tells the same story. A handful of guests report steaks lacking proper seasoning or arriving without the requested sear, leading to comparisons with chain restaurants rather than independent steakhouses.

Others mention quick cooking times that raised questions about preparation methods, particularly for thicker cuts that typically require more careful attention.

First-timers sometimes express surprise at the straightforward preparation, expecting more elaborate presentations or bold flavoring. For those who value consistency and traditional steakhouse technique over trendy preparations, the approach generally hits the mark, even if occasional missteps occur during busy service periods.

Locals And Tourists Make The Drive For The Food

Mode’s draws a fascinating mix of clientele, from Traverse City natives who’ve been coming for decades to out-of-town visitors following recommendations from hotel staff and online reviews. The restaurant’s reputation has spread well beyond its immediate neighborhood, with diners reporting drives from surrounding counties specifically to eat here.

That willingness to travel speaks volumes about the perceived value and unique experience that Mode’s offers in a region with no shortage of dining options.

Hotel concierges frequently point guests toward 125 E State St when asked for steakhouse recommendations, confident that the experience will satisfy. Tourists appreciate discovering a spot that feels authentically local rather than designed for the vacation crowd, even as they contribute to the busy dinner rushes on weekends.

The restaurant’s 4.3-star rating across more than a thousand reviews reflects this broad appeal, though individual experiences vary considerably. Some first-time visitors leave puzzled by the hype, while others immediately understand why regulars guard their favorite tables and return trip after trip.

That polarization itself suggests a restaurant with strong character and clear identity rather than one trying to please everyone equally.

The Menu Focuses On Steakhouse Comfort Classics

Rather than overwhelming diners with endless options, Mode’s keeps its menu tight and focused on what the kitchen does best. Alongside the signature prime rib and various steak cuts, you’ll find surf and turf combinations featuring lobster tail, duck preparations that surprise guests expecting only beef, and classic sandwiches like the French dip piled with shaved prime rib.

Seafood options include perch and walleye, nodding to Michigan’s freshwater fishing traditions.

Appetizers lean toward steakhouse standards: shrimp cocktail, escargot swimming in garlic butter, jalapeño cheese sticks, and potato skins loaded with bacon and cheese. The egg rolls get mentions from late-night diners, while chicken wings appear frequently enough to have developed their own following, though reviews suggest they’re solid rather than exceptional.

This limited approach means the kitchen can focus on perfecting a core group of dishes rather than spreading resources across an unwieldy menu. Regulars appreciate knowing exactly what to expect, while newcomers sometimes wish for more variety.

The salad bar offers a self-service option, though the wedge salad—iceberg lettuce, cherry tomatoes, and housemade blue cheese dressing—appears in reviews far more often as the preferred starter.

Generous Portions Keep People Coming Back

Nobody leaves Mode’s complaining about small plates or trendy tasting portions. The restaurant embraces old-school American abundance, serving steaks that range from reasonable six-ounce cuts up to massive 24-ounce porterhouses that challenge even hearty appetites.

Prime rib portions similarly lean toward generosity, with the standard serving providing more than enough protein for most diners.

Side dishes arrive in proportions that match the mains, with baked potatoes, rice, and vegetables filling out plates that often require extra room on the table. The wedge salads, despite some criticism for simplicity, offer a substantial iceberg quarter that provides genuine crunch and freshness before the heavier courses arrive.

This commitment to portion size contributes to the overall value proposition, even as some diners balk at menu prices that reflect current meat costs. A 12-ounce prime rib running $45, or $65 when paired with shrimp, represents serious money for a meal.

However, the serving sizes mean that few people leave hungry, and the quality of the beef—when prepared properly—justifies the expense for most patrons who view dining here as an occasional treat rather than a weekly occurrence.

The Laid-Back Atmosphere Feels Welcoming

Despite serving premium steaks at prices that reflect quality ingredients, Mode’s maintains a refreshingly casual vibe that encourages diners to relax rather than worry about formal etiquette. The “come as you are” mentality means you’ll see everything from business casual to jeans and flannel shirts, with nobody raising eyebrows at either end of the spectrum.

This unpretentious approach extends to the service style, which favors friendly efficiency over stuffy formality.

The restaurant operates on a first-come basis without accepting reservations, which can mean short waits during peak hours but also removes the pressure of scheduled dining times. When you’re seated, the veteran waitstaff moves with practiced confidence, keeping drinks filled and checking on tables without hovering.

That said, service experiences vary according to reviews, with some guests praising attentive, personable servers while others report minimal interaction or slow response times. The close table spacing contributes to a convivial noise level that some find energizing and others consider too loud for intimate conversation.

Overall, the atmosphere skews toward neighborhood tavern rather than special-occasion destination, which suits the local clientele perfectly while occasionally surprising visitors expecting something more polished.

Regulars Say It Feels Like A Community Staple

Walk into Mode’s on any given night and you’ll likely witness the kind of easy rapport between staff and customers that only develops over years of repeated visits. Servers recognize faces, remember names, and often know what regulars want before the order is placed.

This familiarity creates an insider atmosphere that newcomers sometimes find intimidating but more often interpret as evidence of quality and consistency worth returning for.

The restaurant functions as something of a gathering spot for Traverse City residents, hosting celebrations, business meetings, and casual dinners that mark the rhythm of community life. Men’s Night downtown brings particularly robust crowds, filling the dining room with locals who treat the place as an extension of their own kitchens.

Reviews frequently mention specific servers by name—Kathy, Amber, and others who’ve built personal followings among the clientele. That level of staff retention speaks to workplace culture and management that values experience, which translates directly to service quality for diners.

When regulars defend the restaurant against critical reviews, they’re protecting not just a favorite meal spot but a piece of their community’s identity that they hope will remain unchanged for years to come.

A Steakhouse Experience Worth The Trip

After weighing the enthusiastic praise against the occasional criticism, Mode’s Bum Steer emerges as exactly what it claims to be: a straightforward steakhouse serving quality beef in an atmosphere that values character over polish. The prime rib alone justifies a visit for anyone who appreciates properly prepared beef, while the supporting cast of menu items provides enough variety to satisfy different tastes within a group.

Expect to pay steakhouse prices for steakhouse portions, and don’t arrive looking for cutting-edge culinary innovation or Instagram-worthy plating. What you will find is honest cooking, generous servings, and a dining room that embraces its retro roots without apology.

The restaurant operates Tuesday through Thursday from 11 AM to 11 PM, extending hours until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays, with Sundays and Mondays reserved for rest. You can reach them at 231-947-9832 or visit their website at modesbumsteer.com for current information.

Whether you’re a Traverse City local or making the drive from elsewhere in Michigan, Mode’s delivers the kind of dependable steakhouse experience that’s increasingly rare in an era of constant culinary reinvention.