Mode’s Bum Steer is a classic, family-owned northern Michigan steakhouse located at 125 E. State Street in Downtown Traverse City, Michigan, just one block south of Front Street and the Boardman River. Founded in 1975 by the Mode family, this unpretentious downtown institution has spent five decades serving slow-roasted prime rib, Black Angus steaks, Great Lakes seafood, and smoked barbecue ribs in a cozy, wood-paneled dining room and tavern. Travelers and Traverse City locals seek out Mode’s Bum Steer for its generous mid-century supper-club portions, old-school relish and cheese starters, and relaxed, come-as-you-are hospitality away from the more formal tasting-menu spots on Front Street.
What to Expect at Mode’s Bum Steer
Stepping inside Mode’s Bum Steer feels like entering a classic Up North supper club where the recipes and welcoming atmosphere have remained anchored in tradition since 1975. The interior is divided between a lively front bar area—popular with regulars grabbing a cold draft beer and a sandwich—and a dimly lit, wood-accented dining room lined with comfortable booths and tables. Unlike modern concept restaurants, the kitchen focuses squarely on hefty cuts of USDA Black Angus beef, house-smoked ribs, and traditional starters. Guests can kick off a meal with retro favorites like Escargot De’Jonghe ($18), Baked Brie topped with pineapple-horseradish chutney ($15), a Polish Sausage Platter ($18), Shrimp Cocktail ($20), or classic Bar Cheese and Crackers ($12).
For lunch and lighter appetites, the menu features casual sandwiches and combos such as the Prime Rib French Dip served with au jus, a Polish Sausage Sandwich with hot mustard and onion ($15), a Canadian Bacon Sub with Swiss cheese ($15), or a 6-ounce New York Strip or Chicken Breast paired with a crisp wedge salad ($25). At dinner, the focus shifts to slow-roasted prime rib carved to order, charbroiled ribeyes, filet mignon, New York strips, full and half racks of barbecue baby back ribs, and fresh seafood platters featuring perch, walleye, and shrimp. Full dinners are accompanied by traditional steakhouse sides including baked potatoes, French fries, soup du jour ($7 cup / $10 bowl), and crisp house salads. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the building, and the dress code is strictly casual.
- Slow-Roasted Prime Rib: The restaurant’s signature house specialty since 1975, seasoned and slow-roasted daily, carved to order in multiple cut sizes, and served with rich house au jus and creamy horseradish.
- Black Angus Hand-Cut Steaks: Charbroiled New York strip, ribeye, and tenderloin filet cuts cooked to exact temperature specifications and accompanied by classic potato and salad sides.
- Supper-Club Appetizers: Distinctly Midwestern starters including Escargot De’Jonghe ($18), Baked Brie with pineapple-horseradish chutney ($15), Kettle Chips with ranch dip ($10), and house Bar Cheese and Crackers ($12).
- BBQ Ribs & Seafood Entrees: Meaty barbecue pork ribs brushed with tangy house sauce alongside Great Lakes fish selections, jumbo shrimp cocktail ($20), and surf-and-turf combinations.
- Hearty Lunch Sandwiches: Daytime staples served starting at 11:00 AM, highlighted by the shaved Prime Rib French Dip, the Polish Sausage Sandwich ($15), and the 6-ounce NY Strip and Wedge Salad pairing ($25).
Mode’s Bum Steer at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 125 E. State St, Traverse City, MI 49684 |
| Neighborhood / Area | Downtown Traverse City (one block south of E. Front Street) |
| Operating Hours | Tuesday–Thursday: 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM (kitchen closes 10:00 PM); Friday–Saturday: 11:00 AM – 12:00 AM (kitchen closes 11:00 PM); Sunday–Monday: Closed |
| Admission / Price Range | $$ (Appetizers $10–$20; sandwiches $15–$25; steak and prime rib dinners $25–$48) |
| Recommended Visit Duration | 1 to 1.5 hours |
| Nearest Transit / Parking | BATA Hall Street Transfer Station (0.3 miles west); metered street parking on E. State St and Larry C. Hardy Parking Deck at 303 E. State St |
| Official Website & Phone | modesbumsteer.com | +1 231-947-9832 |
Visiting Tips, Getting There & Nearby Pairings
Mode’s Bum Steer operates strictly on a first-come, first-served basis and does not accept reservations. During the peak summer tourism months, the National Cherry Festival in July, and Friday or Saturday evenings year-round, arriving between 4:45 PM and 5:30 PM is the smartest strategy to secure a booth without a long wait at the bar. Note that the kitchen stops taking food orders exactly one hour before closing—at 10:00 PM Tuesday through Thursday and at 11:00 PM on Friday and Saturday. If you want the signature prime rib, ordering before 8:00 PM is recommended, as slow-roasted batches can sell out on busy weekend nights.
The restaurant sits along the 100 block of East State Street between Park Street and Cass Street, featuring a ground-level entrance accessible from the adjacent parking lot and sidewalk, with step-free booth and table seating on a single floor. Metered municipal lot and street parking sits directly outside the entrance, and the multi-level Larry C. Hardy Parking Garage at 303 E. State Street is less than a three-minute walk east. Before or after dinner, you are a two-minute stroll from the shops of East Front Street, the historic State Theatre and Bijou by the Bay movie houses, and the sandy shores of Clinch Park Beach along West Grand Traverse Bay.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the hours of operation at Mode’s Bum Steer and when is the best time to visit?
Mode’s Bum Steer is open Tuesday through Thursday from 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM and Friday through Saturday from 11:00 AM to 12:00 AM, while remaining closed on Sundays and Mondays. Note that the kitchen closes one hour before the bar closes (10:00 PM on weeknights and 11:00 PM on weekends), and arriving for an early dinner around 5:00 PM beats the main evening rush.
Does Mode’s Bum Steer take reservations, and what are the typical menu prices?
No, Mode’s Bum Steer does not take reservations; all seating is handled on a first-come, first-served walk-in basis. Appetizers and soups range from $7 to $20, sandwiches and lighter strip-steak salad plates run $15 to $25, and full Black Angus steak, prime rib, and seafood dinners fall in the moderate $$ to $$$ steakhouse range.
How much time should I budget for a meal at Mode’s Bum Steer?
Plan to spend about 45 to 60 minutes for a weekday lunch sandwich or salad, and roughly 1 to 1.5 hours for a full prime rib or steak dinner. On busy Friday and Saturday nights in summer, add an extra 20 to 30 minutes if there is a short wait for a dining room table.
Is Mode’s Bum Steer family-friendly and accessible?
Yes, the restaurant has been family-owned since 1975 and welcomes families with children, casual groups, and solo diners alike in a relaxed, informal setting. The building offers step-free street-level entry from the East State Street parking lot and single-level dining room seating suitable for wheelchairs and strollers.
When planning your Traverse City travel guide or browsing verified attractions in Traverse City, pair this stop with standout local spots including Reflect Bistro, East Bay Park, Tamarack Lodge of Traverse City, and Bushell's Kitchen & Cocktails (nearby).
