Crow's Nest

Exactly what a breakfast should be.

food was good, but knowing what i know now about there being roaches and mice running around the place, i threw out the leftovers i had in disgust. the host was kind but the service was cold and unwelcoming. i assumed our server was just having a bad day based on their disposition. but knowing the abysmal conditions that the workers there are subjected to made their attitude make way more sense. i feel bad for the people that work here and miss the old crow’s nest. as someone who’s lived here for 17 years, it’s a shame to see this new owner jon with no restaurant experience ruin a kalamazoo staple.

Unethical ownership and apparent uncleanly practices leading to infestations. Would recommend another spot in Kzoo.

Place is nasty with bugs how does this place stay open?

I have always loved coming to the crows nest but as of late the staff is very overworked and the hygiene is so bad I had a drag out back and they’re were enough mice to be New York.

Roaches and mice

Dirty restaurant, but no one gets paid or respected enough to keep it clean. Support local business, eat somewhere Else.

The food and atmosphere is great and is what keeps people coming back time and time again—but unfortunately after my daughter worked there my opinion changed. Amazing food and beautiful art aside, that does not excuse the horrible way they treat their staff. Crow’s Nest staff are severely underpaid. My daughter, as a host, once told me they make $5/hour plus 6% of sales (which is often times split between 3 or 4 people and taxed so basically 1-2%). Which, if you’re curious, rations out to about $500 on a bi-weekly paycheck when you’re working close to full time. Not enough to support yourself. The owner does not listen to this though. Line cooks are often times forced to work excessive hours due to their staffing problem which is caused by the constant revolving door of people getting hired and leaving (I wonder why). The new owner has no respect for his employees. An example of this—he has openly told his employees with preexisting health conditions and physical disabilities that their poor health make them undependable and an inconvenience to his workplace, and consistently makes these employees feel less than because of their health issues. It’s unfortunate, considering his employees don’t make enough to see a doctor regularly or at all if they don’t have good health insurance. However, it’s also an ongoing problem how often these employees are sick—even the ones without preexisting health issues. This sadly makes sense though, considering the mold in the building or the dust consistently falling from the ceiling in the tiny server station that 4-7 employees have to bump into each other to work around (which is also directly above the window that holds our food before it goes out). Just take a look up next time you’re walking through to get to the bathroom. We won’t get into the roach and mouse problem, but that’s also present. I have loved this place for years, but seeing it for what it is, it is a business that was once great, but then was swooped up by a money-hungry boss who does not have the decency to pay his workers a livable wage because he openly believes he doesn’t have to. (Openly, as in he has told his staff this). That, sadly, can ruin a place. The way you respect, treat, and pay your employees is a direct reflection of how your business will run. It seems it’s been on a downhill for the past couple of years, huh? I hope new management comes along and the workers will eventually get treated fairly and the Crow’s Nest can return to the greatness it was before new management. Sending my love and strength to the underpaid and under-respected employees who have stayed and put up with the mistreatment, because YOU are what make the place great. ❤️