Tips for Dining, Eating and Food Shopping in the Midwest
Start New ThreadTravelling soon to Northern Michigan and am looking for any decent food, any cuisine, any price. I'd love some good seafood and Americana.
I'll be in Traverse City, Petoski, Harbor Springs, Mackinac Island.
By Larry Brooks
on Jun 10, 2008 05:25 PM
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Thanks for the flashback. I lived in Petoskey for 10 years and always had to spell it out for people- it's an Indian name, not Polish.
As far as food, eat as much whitefish as you can. The fish doesn't freeze well, so you can only get it fresh. One of the best places for it is the Side Door Saloon in P-town. Any of Stafford's places are great. The Sunday Brunch @ the Bay View Inn is an institution .They also have The Pier in Harbor Springs and The Weather Vane in Char. Mitchell Street Pub also has excellent pub grub.
We still have a place up there but because of starting a new business we haven't been up for 2 summers. I apologize if any of the info is out of date. Enjoy!
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Thats Petoskey!!!! :)
Cedar Planked whitefish with dutchess potato is a northern Mi tradition. There are several Staffords properties and I would suggest the dining room at the Perry Hotel in Petoskey or Staffords Bay View Inn (Bay View) over the Harbor Springs or Charlevoix options.
This is a family owned operation and they are very good people.
Also in Bay View is the Terrace Inn. Quality there can vary from season to season but they have been featured in the Detroit Free Press in years past for the planked Whitefish.
Near TC area you may want to consider LeBecasse.
Mitchell street pub is no longer so great. I'm sorry to say that but it has changed owners.
The Side Door is in Bay View as well. It's a bar so a good place for a burger but nothing fancy there.
I'm going to dissagree with the other poster about Whitefish. Whitefish freezes just fine and is available commercially frozen. The reason you see so much whitefish in this area is that it is fished commercially by Native Americans here who are allowed to gill net the fish. Many of theese places freeze the fish as they take in thousands of pounds at a time. If you stop in a fishery don't assume it's never been frozen because it's in the display case. Ask if it's ever been frozen not if it's fresh. ;)
Andiamo in Petoskey for upscale. South of Charlevoix is Tapawngo.
During the drive from TC to charlevoix (or the reverse) don't miss a pie stop at Friskies Orchards.
I hope you will be making the drive up M-119 from Harbor springs through cross Village to Mackinaw. This drive through the tunnel of trees along the lake has been voted one of the ten most scenic drives in America. Cross village is the home of Leggs Inn for some good Polish food. Many bill this as a mandatory stop.
Avoid everything on main street in Mackinaw except the fudge shops and Scalawags for fried Whitefish. The Island book store is the best place for a cup of coffee. They serve Seattles Best. If you take Main street West and go under the bridge (I-75) then turn right at the first street (Towards the Holiday Inn Express) as soon as you make the turn on your left next to the gas station is Krueggers (sp?) fish market. Home of THE best jerky in the entire state and the frienliest people you could ever hope to meet. I live on that stuff during deer season. LOL Just past that is another restaurant that is very good but I'm having a brain freeze and can not recall the name. Audies is also good in Mackinaw.
For a fancy lunch on the island the dining room at the iroquois is excellent.
Enjoy!
http://www.restaurantlabecasse.com/
http://www.tapawingo.net/
http://www.legsinn.com/
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Totally agree with mass consumption of whitefish, and walleye or perch if it's around.
Leggs Inn--if you go on a nice day, make sure you sit outside. The Lake Michigan view is amazing.
Last time we were on the island (2004), we had dinner one night at Mary's Bistro, outside on the patio overlooking the water, and it was very good.
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I agree with all of the above. You might also like Mary Ellen's Place in Harbor Springs - great omelets, milk shakes, etc. - an old fashioned diner. Also don't forget Tom's Mom's Cookies in Harbor. Another nice spot is the City Park Grill in Petoskey, very much history, Hemingway drank at the bar. Also, the Noggin Room in the basement of the Perry Hotel is a pub and you can get the planked whitefish and other really good food for a moderate amount of $. We also like The Fish just north of HS. Enjoy!
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I totally agree on the City Park Grill. The bar was brought from Ireland in the 1880's. My first job as a cook was in this property about 30 years ago but it was the Park Garden Cafe then. The Jelly Roll Blues band would play and there would be a line out the door.
I'm not sure if Turkey's Pizza is still in Harbor Springs but they used to make a killer Taco Pizza and Mighty Fine pizza is the best in Petoskey.
The origional American Spoon foods is in Petoskey and they always have samples out. Symon's General store is just a few doors down if you need a bottle of wine
If you are a Katy Brown fan she has a place called Goat on the Island.
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Turkeys is indeed still in existence. You should also get gelato at American Spoon. Also the frozen custard at Bob Inn Again in Petoskey. Another neat spot is Douglas Lake Bar and Steakhouse, great "up north" ambiance, right on Douglas Lake, Take 31 north through Pellston and go right on Douglas Lake Road. Also in Pellston is the Pellston Market which does gourmet dinners I believe on weekends only. Ahh, so many great places...
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The DLB does get a vote from me as casual up North but it would a good bit out of the way if travelling from Harbor Springs up M-119.
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That's true but the OP said he would be in HS and Pet., so its not a long drive. I also forgot my favorite high end spot - The New York in Harbor Springs. Also a great spot to people watch. Get out your starched khaki's, madras shirt, pink cotton sweater tied around your neck, penny loafers (no socks, of course) and they will think you're a local. Seriously, the food is great.
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I guess that really depends on the individual. The DLB is a solid 45 minutes from Petoskey and it's a bit off the beaton path. I can't say that I think it would be worth 1.5 hours out of the way for most considering the quality of the other places available. This really depends on the route one is travelling or where you are staying.
If you want to blend with the locals in HS don't shop on Tuesday. That's servants day. ;)
If you are staying near Petoskey don't miss the sunset at the water front or the Petoskey State park.
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Sorry to hear Mitchell Street Pub has gone downhill...I've had many good times there in my life! Are you going to Mackinac Island or Mackinaw City? On the Island, I like the Mustang Lounge for burgers...and the Key Bar in Mackinaw City for the same. I also like Turkeys and Legs Inn and the Douglas Lake Bar.
MK
motherskitchen.blogspot.com
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the mitchell street pub has definately NOT gone downhill...my fiance grew up in petoskey and goes home every summer and says that if anything new ownership has revitalized the place and that bar food doesn't get much better than at the pub
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Traverse City: Love Mabel's for breakfast! Also like North Peak very much. Petoskey: my faves are White Caps, City Park Grill and American Spoon Cafe for lunch (and gelato). In Harbor Springs, there was a small French-ish lunch place on one of the side streets-I'm sorry I can't remember the name. I also agree that Sunday Brunch at the Bay View Inn is great.
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