"NEW CHEF. That is the headline to note prior to this review. The beauty of 794 since opening relied on the fact that it functioned as both a quality bar and an higher tier restaurant. The creativity and unique crafting of the ever evolving menu relayed to the patrons that a chef, not a fry cook was running the line. The food was great, the creations unique and the menu constantly changed, leading to repeat business with anticipation for new options and specials Unfortunately, that is no longer the case. With a change in chef, the menu is both expanded, yet constricted, simply increasing the typical fried fare, moving towards a classic bar food based menu, and away from that of a unique restaurant that distinguished itself in the downtown social district. Don 't get me wrong. I personally enjoy a few beers and the perch platter every 2 months or so, but in doing so, 794 is now akin to the host of establishments on Western all with the same M.O. absent the ability to bar hop due to its location. It 's unfortunate. Replacing an ever changing restaurant menu with the standard bar options is a step back. It is what had separated this place. Replacing those options with click bait items such as giant onion rings and fried alligator (which I expect to last no longer than 3 months due to cost constriction issues) will likely deter a lot of the base that truly loved the creativity and quality at 794. The likely, but unspoken truth, is that this fried food dominated menu contains cost and simplifies the line. As with many other places, this is likely a contributing factor for this change. But who knows. Was there disagreement between ownership and the kitchen over creative direction vs. bottom line? Short of an insider response, we will likely never know. Bottom line, a patron can get this menu at virtually any establishment with a tap and a grill, such as Skee-town, which ironically, is where we are informed the new chef has arrived from. In addition to the segue to a slightly juiced up bar menu, the originality is sadly gone. Replacing that originality are the baseline, omnipresent yawn inducing standards.....the grilled Brussels sprouts, the Mexican fare section and the ever popular Smash Burger. For some reason every Muskegon restauranteur seems to be following these repetitive redundant additions. Yet, if everyone is doing it, are you really separating yourself? Here lay the beauty of 794. Here was the creativity. Here was the originality and here was the art. Take the time to view previous reviews with item pics. Those items were great, they were unique and they were creative. Unfortunately, you will not see that creativity for the foreseeable future, if at all. Gone are the home made salsas which changed quarterly. Gone are the creative and evolved sandwiches. Gone are the weekly featured entrees. They 've been replaced with a sad side salad and fried shrimp plate. The staff and servers remain friendly and kind, although overburdened with tables......but this remains a problem for all local establishments. It 's unfortunate. 794 had a great niche. Now, it has devolved into a cookie cutter Muskegon bar, akin to any other establishment down Western, with an alcohol first mentality who on a side note, has an afterthought menu, the priority level of which is situated just above the jukebox and just below the video poker machine."
