"We had an amazing dinner at Mertens Prime this past Saturday and were honestly surprised by how calm it was when we arrived around 5:15 PM—only a few other tables were seated, which made the experience feel even more special. We ordered the Hand-Cut Filet for Two and it did not disappoint. The 20oz steak was sliced tableside and cooked perfectly—tender, flavorful, and exactly how a steak should be. We paired it with the red wine steak sauce, which took everything to the next level. For sides, we chose the garlic mashed potatoes (a must) and the glazed Brussels sprouts. Both were incredibly delicious and complemented the steak so well. I also started with an espresso martini, and wow—it was one of the best I’ve had in a long time. Smooth, well-balanced, and dangerously easy to drink. We were seated in one of their cozy half-circle booths, which made the evening feel intimate and comfortable. Our server was friendly, attentive, and paced the meal perfectly. Between the quality of the food, the drinks, and the overall atmosphere, this was a fantastic dining experience. I’ll absolutely be back for another steak dinner—and that espresso martini!"

"MERTENS Prime really wants to feel like an upscale steakhouse, but the reality misses the mark. The entire place was dark, the seating was uncomfortable and cheap, and details like missing candles and worn walls made it feel neglected rather than intentionally "historic." Service hovered in a way that felt more judgmental than welcoming. On top of that, almost everything was $2 more than the menu price (my tiny side salad listed at $7/14 came to $9), and our bill shows a "seat count" of 10 even though we were seven -- probably why the automatic 18% gratuity hit. The food itself was mid at best; ironically, the highlight was a coffee mocktail."

"We had such a great experience with Cee as our waitress. She walked us through the menu and what Mertens was offering. We came during restaurant week so we had an amazing 3 course meal. The drinks were amazing the both Cee and the bartender went out of their way to make our drinks up to our liking. Great experience!"

"The Ghost of Mertens Prime Mertens Prime isn't just different; it’s unrecognizable. This used to be a standout in a sea of local mediocrity—a brasserie that could actually hold its own in a real city. Apparently, those days are dead. What remains is a generic American gastropub wearing the skin of its predecessor. The Bar & Starters: If you’re the type who finds a two-component drink like a Whiskey Coke "adventurous," you’ll be fine. If you enjoy a balanced classic cocktail, prepare for a bitter mess. I had to send my first drink back—a rare feat for me. We transitioned to the marrow bones, usually my favorite, but these were a joke. There was barely enough marrow to coat two pieces of toast, let alone justify the price. The Main Event (Or Lack Thereof): The kitchen seems to view steak temperatures as a "vibe" rather than a metric. Across our table’s steak bowls, the meat was rubbery and the cook was inconsistent, served over potatoes that tasted suspiciously like they were birthed from a bag or an instant-mix box. For $36, that’s an insult. I opted for the $50 Sirloin and Frites. Requested medium-rare; received a rare steak that was stone-cold in the center. It was a flavorless, low-quality cut of beef that even the chimichurri couldn't save—mostly because the sauce tasted like salty lawn clippings steeped in oil. The "French frites" were actually just hot steak fries. They were the only edible thing on the plate, but let’s be real: calling a steak fry a "frite" is just lying to yourself. The Final Indignity: I don't usually critique the plumbing, but Mertens used to pride itself on the details. To find the soap dispensers empty and replaced by a bottle of dollar-store Dial soap like you’d find at mee-maw’s house was the final nail in the coffin. If I wanted a "gastropub" experience with Mee-maw’s toiletries, I’d have stayed home."

"Went to mertens with a couple friends before an event in Grand Rapids to celebrate a birthday. Arrived just as they opened. The service and atmosphere were great, and most importantly the food was wonderful. I had the duck wontons for an appetizer and the shrimp ravioli as my entree, both were delicious and would order again. We also had the dates in a blanket as a shared appetizer, after trying them, I didn't want to share any longer, I wanted them all to myself. My friends and I are sharers when it comes to meals so I was also able to try the bone marrow, calamari and Brussel sprouts and everything was delicious. One of the best dining experiences I have had in a long time and I can't wait to get back to grand rapids to try it again (especially the dates)."