On a dark Tuesday morning at 6:30, Aaron VanDerVeen approaches the little Windmill Restaurant on 8th Street in downtown Holland, Michigan. As he walks past the large front window, he notices the familiar Dutch figures. He enters through the door with a white windmill painted on the glass and is immediately greeted by the aroma of freshly cooked bacon and the sound of laughter and clinking silverware from the booths around the restaurant. He sits in his usual booth across from a friend. A server, already familiar with his name and order, brings him a steaming cup of coffee as he waits for the breakfast he has enjoyed more times than he can count.
VanDerVeen has been going to the Windmill Restaurant for 21 years. For him and many others, the Windmill Restaurant is considered more than just a breakfast spot, but a second home.
The Windmill Restaurant has been a staple in the Holland community for decades. “I’ve owned it since May 1983. I bought it after saving a little of my own money and assuming the loans for 3 other previous owners. We are a family restaurant,” Terry McMurry, the owner of the Windmill Restaurant, said.
Open daily from 5 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Windmill serves as a reliable gathering spot for early risers, breakfast lovers, and lunch-goers alike. Over time, the restaurant has become a main gathering spot for locals. Regulars are greeted by name, and newcomers quickly feel welcome. “The Windmill has a small-town feel where you get to know some of the staff which is cool,” Tom Bosch, a loyal customer of over 20 years, said.
For VanDerVeen, the appeal of the Windmill Restaurant goes beyond the food. “The service is always personal. Servers are happy to get to know you by name, remember what you like, and are always happy to joke around with you. It makes it feel like home. Good food, good people. That’s what keeps me coming back,” VanDerVeen said.
As a family-run business, the Windmill has stayed true to its roots. With the simple layout, wood-paneled walls, vinyl booths, and the low hum of conversation, the restaurant offers classic American breakfasts and lunches at reasonable prices. The restaurant is not fancy, and that’s exactly how the customers like it.
“The food is simple and tasty. The kind of food you are used to. It is sometimes referred to as comfort food. We have many popular favorites such as the Hash Brown Omelet and the Bird’s Nest,” McMurry said.
“Many people like our home-baked bread for toast and sandwiches. We’ve also added a few dishes with a southwestern flair, like the steak skillet and breakfast burritos with seasoned potatoes,” McMurry said.
Coming out of the kitchen, the server arrives at VanDerVeen’s table with his usual mini hash brown omelet with ground sausage and no onions. “The regular one is just too big. But when I want to save a little money, I go for the #1 or #4 breakfast special,” VanDerVeen said.
His friend Paul Eshenaur, who joins him weekly for breakfast, always orders the same thing: the mini hash brown omelet. “I only go there for breakfast, so I never order off the lunch menu. Regardless, the food preparation and quality are consistent, which is important. Their staff always provides good service, refilling coffee, remembering my name, my order, all of it,” Eshenaur said.
That reliability and familiarity set the Windmill apart. “It’s one of the last independent small restaurants around. Every Tuesday, when I walk in and recognize the staff and the other people eating, I feel those small-town community vibes. That’s the reason Aaron and I go every week,” Eshenaur said.
The staff, many of whom have worked there for years, take the time to learn their customers’ names, remember their usual orders, and engage in friendly conversations that make every meal feel like a visit with friends.
“When you’ve built relationships with those who work there, it makes you want to go back and keep supporting them,” VanDerVeen said.
That sense of community built in the restaurant has spilled out into the streets of Holland. Customers often see the owners and other staff outside the restaurant, waving as they walk down 8th Street, through the farmers market, or around the neighborhood. The Windmill Restaurant isn’t just a restaurant; it’s a part of Holland, Michigan.
That atmosphere didn’t happen by accident. Staff like Melanie McLeod, who has worked there for almost 36 years, help keep the environment alive. “We call it the ‘Windmill Family’. I’ve served students from Hope College who later brought their kids in. I’ve laughed with customers, cried with them, and celebrated milestones with them. This job has been a part of my life in every way,” McLeod said.
McLeod also values the stability and teamwork of the Windmill Restaurant. “Unlike other places I worked, here you get set days and hours. That kind of stability means a lot, especially when you have a family. We do everything ourselves, except cook the food, and we work hard. But we also have fun, tell jokes, and smile,” McLeod said.
In an age dominated by fast-paced chain restaurants, the Windmill Restaurant offers something different. The environment has allowed the restaurant to be a place where servers recommend dishes like the bird’s nest or a mini hash brown omelet. “Those are my favorites. I love cheese and potatoes,” McLeod said. They recommend foods based on what they enjoy, not what they think is trendy.
During Holland’s Tulip Time, or the summer season, tourists may turn away after seeing the line wrapping along 8th Street. However, if they choose to wait and walk into the restaurant, they often leave as new friends, and sometimes, they return year after year.
“We love our regular customers; they keep us busy all year and help us pay our bills. The Tulip Time visitors and the summer visitors are the icing on top. We get to meet new people and become part of their experience in Holland,” McMurry said.
Whether individuals are stopping in for a quick weekday breakfast before work or a relaxed weekend meal, diners can expect the same high-quality food and friendly service. Even as prices have changed over the years, the Windmill’s essence remains. The charm lies in consistency and comfort, each visit feeling both special and familiar.
“You can always find something you like at a price that is reasonable. Even though the prices have changed in the 21 years I’ve been going there, the quality of food and the quality of service has never changed, and I hope that it never does,” VanDerVeen said.
“The food is good, but it’s the people that make it great,” VanDerVeen said. “The atmosphere keeps me coming back. It’s a place where you feel like you belong,” Bosch said.
“I am at the restaurant every day, and I am constantly checking to see that we keep up the quality. As with any operation, sometimes things go wrong. I try to fix the problem and let the customer know it is important to us that they are satisfied with their food and service,” McMurray said.
As Holland continues to grow and change, the Windmill Restaurant reminds everyone what makes small-town dining special. Familiar faces, comforting meals, and a warm welcome greet each person who walks through the door, making the restaurant a key part of Holland, Michigan. Whether they are long-time regulars or first-time visitors, the Windmill Restaurant offers a meal that feels like home.
