Bungalow Inn
May 15, 2011
Bungle in to Manistees Bungalow InnBy Ross Boissoneau
Theres no pretension at the Bungalow Inn. But if youre looking for
service with a smile and excellent food award-winning food, according to
various surveys then youre in the right place.
Owner Dave Gunia is justifiably proud of his restaurant. After
consistently winning awards from local publications, including Best Prime
Rib and Best Burgers from the Express, its easy to see why.
While the Bungalow Inn has been guarding Manistees southern border for 20
years, it didnt start out as an award-winning restaurant. In fact, it
didnt start out as a restaurant at all, but as a bar catering to
nightlife, with live music and DJs.
But changes in lifestyles and a desire to serve a broader part of the
public led Gunia to change the Bungalow Inns focus, first adding burgers
and sandwiches, then a full menu. When the local Big Boy closed a few
years ago, he expanded the menu by adding breakfast.
We changed from a club to a food and drink establishment, he said.
GOING STRONG
Now he calls it a family restaurant and sports bar, with a separate
banquet room. And even in these challenging economic times, the restaurant
is still going strong.
Weve had the support of the community, said Gunia, enjoying a break
after a lunchtime rush that included a full house in the main dining room
and serving a party in the restaurants banquet room. The support of the
locals is crucial. Were very fortunate.
While he personally has been recognized for tending bar, youll also find
him in the kitchen, cooking up a storm, often working alongside his head
chef, Eric Big E Lockhardt. He is still rather amused at the thought of
being in the kitchen.
I never thought Id be a full-blown cook, he said with a smile, ruefully
shaking his head.
But the transition in the restaurants business model, which he said began
10 years ago, mandated that change as well. Now hes at home not only
flipping burgers, but cooking eggs, steaks and seafood.
The menu also boasts salads, ribs & steaks, even Mexican dishes such as
burritos and quesadillas. The latter feature grilled onions, sauteed
mushrooms, and a choice of beef, chicken or seafood.
Among the most popular dishes are the gourmet charbroiled burgers,
including the Southwestern Burger with jalapeno peppers, pepperjack cheese
and salsa, the seafood, and the restaurants signature prime rib. Thats
our most popular item, Gunia said. Every year we win awards for it.
TREMENDOUS STAFF
While Gunia is pleased to win awards for his food, hes most proud of the
awards recognizing his staff. He says the staff, including Big E, are the
best part about working at the restaurant. The Bungalow Inn employs 40
people altogether, according to Gunia.
They are tremendous, he said. I couldnt do it without them.
Gunia also recognizes the challenge of owning and operating a restaurant
in the area, with so many having closed and the downtown part of Manistee
host to many empty storefronts. But having been in the business for the
better part of his life (he owned another restaurant before the Bungalow
Inn), he says hes not going anywhere. Its the American dream, owning
your own business, he said simply. You do the best you can to succeed.
If the popularity of the place, reflected in those awards and the
satisfied smiles of the patrons, is any indication, then Gunia and his
staff continue to succeed.
The Bungalow Inn is located on US-31 just south of Manistee.
Trending

A Bird's-Eye View of Skegemog Raptor Center
Photo by Tyler Franz On a cold, rainy April day in 2021, James Manley received a phone call about an injured bald eagle nea… Read More >>
Shipwreck Discoveries in Lake Superior
More than 132 years ago, a 300-foot steel steamer called Western Reserve sank in Lake Superior following an August storm, tr… Read More >>
Pop Culture Con Returns
The 10th annual Cadillac Pop Culture Convention returns to the Wexford Civic Center on Saturday, April 5! Past years have se… Read More >>