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Little Bohemia Restaurant Reviews, Traverse City

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Little Bohemia

540 W Front Street, Traverse City, MI 49684
231-946-6925
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Traditional Michigan Tavern - Beautiful wood celing, floor and walls
10 visitor photos
Ranked #26 of 181 restaurants in Traverse City
4.5 of 5 stars 95 Reviews
Price range: €2 - €11
Cuisines: American, Italian, Contemporary, Healthy
Dining options: Reservations, After-hours
Description: LITTLE BOHEMIA, Traverse City's 2nd Oldest Tavern, was built as a hot dog stand in 1932, with Curb Side Service and outdoor seating, an annual ritual of making sauerkraut, and a Speak Easy in the basement. Folks would knock on the back door and go directly to the basement. One evening while closing up the owner was paid a visit by a couple of Al Capone’s men. They held him at gunpoint, warning him he’d better get his liquor from Capone or else! The men were chased off by an employee who was able to sneak out to his truck and get his shotgun; he surprised them; fortunately they never returned. Located in the heart of “Little Bohemia” as the area was known and being of Bohemian descent, the original owner named his business in honor of the Bohemian community that had settled on the west end of the city. Little Bohemia immediately became the gathering place on Saturday nights. At the end of prohibition, the building was expanded to include a tavern and its popularity continued to grow into a Traverse City landmark, now an icon and a premier destination in the city’s West End District. This traditional Michigan tavern has stood the test of time and still maintains its original name. Little Bohemia is blessed with fame in its own right, as the 2nd oldest tavern in Traverse City, but basks in the glory of the late Sir Walter Hagen. The golf legend, who settled on Long Lake after he retired, made a daily stop to “hold court” or play a few games of bumper pool and of course have a few drinks. Mr. Hagen lovingly referred to Little Bohemia as his “home away from home” and often spoke of it during his travels. In 1961, just as he walked off the course from his 1st British Open win, Arnold Palmer received a call from Walter Hagen; a call that was the beginning of a lifelong friendship. “The biggest thrill I got when I set a British Open record of 276 strokes at Troon, was to have Walter Hagen phone me from Little Bo’s in Traverse City to congratulate me,” said Palmer. “I didn’t even know The Haig knew I was alive until then. So when I went to Traverse City to honor him near the end of his life I had to go and visit this place he called his home.” The actual interview can be seen on YouTube; just search Arnold Palmer.Stop by for great home cooking and fast friendly service.
Restaurant details
Dining options: Reservations, After-hours
Description: LITTLE BOHEMIA, Traverse City's 2nd Oldest Tavern, was built as a hot dog stand in 1932, with Curb Side Service and outdoor seating, an annual ritual of making sauerkraut, and a Speak Easy in the basement. Folks would knock on the back door and go directly to the basement. One evening while closing up the owner was paid a visit by a couple of Al Capone’s men. They held him at gunpoint, warning him he’d better get his liquor from Capone or else! The men were chased off by an employee who was able to sneak out to his truck and get his shotgun; he surprised them; fortunately they never returned. Located in the heart of “Little Bohemia” as the area was known and being of Bohemian descent, the original owner named his business in honor of the Bohemian community that had settled on the west end of the city. Little Bohemia immediately became the gathering place on Saturday nights. At the end of prohibition, the building was expanded to include a tavern and its popularity continued to grow into a Traverse City landmark, now an icon and a premier destination in the city’s West End District. This traditional Michigan tavern has stood the test of time and still maintains its original name. Little Bohemia is blessed with fame in its own right, as the 2nd oldest tavern in Traverse City, but basks in the glory of the late Sir Walter Hagen. The golf legend, who settled on Long Lake after he retired, made a daily stop to “hold court” or play a few games of bumper pool and of course have a few drinks. Mr. Hagen lovingly referred to Little Bohemia as his “home away from home” and often spoke of it during his travels. In 1961, just as he walked off the course from his 1st British Open win, Arnold Palmer received a call from Walter Hagen; a call that was the beginning of a lifelong friendship. “The biggest thrill I got when I set a British Open record of 276 strokes at Troon, was to have Walter Hagen phone me from Little Bo’s in Traverse City to congratulate me,” said Palmer. “I didn’t even know The Haig knew I was alive until then. So when I went to Traverse City to honor him near the end of his life I had to go and visit this place he called his home.” The actual interview can be seen on YouTube; just search Arnold Palmer.Stop by for great home cooking and fast friendly service.
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95 reviews from our community

86% Recommend
    68
    14
    2
    8
    3
Rating summary
    Food
    Service
    Value
    Atmosphere
Date Rating
1 review
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
“Awesome Sauce”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 14 June 2013 NEW via mobile

Started off with the Crab cakes and to my surprise we received 4 cakes that were perfect. They were not fishy tasting at all and for the price I rate them in my top 3 crab cakes. Then we had the eggplant which was alright but I prefer my eggplant fried like my mom makes. The Grinder we shared was... More

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1 review
“They went above and beyond”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 8 June 2013 via mobile

Thanks to Nancy for going out of her way to help us out when our car broke down outside the restaurant. We went in and explained our situation and she called a service man for us and honestly did everything she could to help complete strangers. Stayed to eat and the food was excellent. Pretty hopping place and great attitude... More

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1 review
“Great family-friendly restaurant with terrific live music and food.”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 6 June 2013

Little Bo's, known for it's eclectic history in TC, offers guests a wonderful dining and live music experience. Welcoming newcomers and catering to loyal patrons, Little Bo's provides a rare venue where guests of all ages can gather to enjoy great live music and fantastic food:)

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Traverse City
Senior Reviewer
8 reviews 8 reviews
7 restaurant reviews
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
“Grumpy and rude”
2 of 5 stars Reviewed 1 June 2013

As a TC local, this is a place I really want to like - great local history, with a small-town tavern look - but I just can't seem to warm up to the place. The food is just barely "ok" - portions are small and a bit too pricey for the amount of food you get. For example, we have... More

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See 7 more reviews by TCFoodFan for Traverse City
Chelsea, Michigan
1 review
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
“Lil Bo's - My Go To Weekend Retreat”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 31 May 2013

I decided that Lil Bo's was going to be favorite weekend restaurant....even before entering their doors. A friend of mine was telling me that she used to sit up at the bar with her grandpa while he was drinking coffee (most likely with a shot in it) and hung out while he chatted with his friends. How can you lose... More

Was this review helpful? Yes 1
St. Louis
1 review
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
“Great Food and Fine Friendly People”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 26 April 2013

This place is great, really really nice people and fine service of good food. We were traveling from St. Louis to visit family in Michigan and to see the Great Thurdays night music show at Lil Bo's had heard good things, but turned out even better than the reputation. I had the special Lasagne (I live on Italian "Hill" in... More

Was this review helpful? Yes 1
Contributor
11 reviews 11 reviews
6 restaurant reviews
Reviews in 7 cities Reviews in 7 cities
30 helpful votes 30 helpful votes
“Not worth the trip!”
2 of 5 stars Reviewed 23 April 2013

Had heard from friends about a grea atmosphere and good burgers. Atmosphere was ok, but food left alot to be desired. I ordered the Bohemia Special. When it came I asked the waitress if the cook had given me a half order by mistake. I've seen larger childs portions! My wife ordered the Meatloaf nightly special. It had an unusual... More

Was this review helpful? Yes 1
Sturgis, Michigan
Senior Contributor
23 reviews 23 reviews
13 restaurant reviews
Reviews in 10 cities Reviews in 10 cities
12 helpful votes 12 helpful votes
“must see in TC”
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 21 April 2013

very good meal (grinder with sweet potato fries) and loved their home ground horseradish sauce. Went back later to buy a jar to take home. My wife and I shared a homemade bread pudding which I don't normally eat and I really enjoyed it. It was very tasty and not overly mushy ( which is why I don't normally eat... More

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Traverse City, Michigan, United States
1 review
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
“We won't be back”
2 of 5 stars Reviewed 21 April 2013

We had dinner here on Friday night. The food was just fair, the prices seemed high, and the waitress was rude. I would not recommend this restaurant.

Was this review helpful? Yes 1
Traverse City, Michigan
Senior Reviewer
7 reviews 7 reviews
3 restaurant reviews
Reviews in 3 cities Reviews in 3 cities
3 helpful votes 3 helpful votes
“Food was fair to average, the waitress was extremely rude.”
2 of 5 stars Reviewed 9 April 2013

Had dinner here one night and everything was going fine untill we were served our burger and fries! The fries were ice cold, the waitress took our plates and returned to the kitchen and left us holding our burgers!!!! It took so long for the fries that our burgers were almost gone by the time she returned and she only... More

Was this review helpful? Yes 2
See 2 more reviews by Itsallaboutconch for Traverse City

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Little Bohemia
540 W Front Street
Traverse City, MI 49684
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