[Jswee]

Have to disagree that the food in Northern Michigan is horrible. You just have to search it out and it can be expensive but there are some great places to eat in Northern Michigan. And whats wrong with a good burger every once in awhile? Don's in TC has turned the burger into an art form.

Hanna, Stella, Bowers Harbor Inn, Modes, Old Mission Tavern (don't be fooled by the name) Le Becasse, Leelanau Country Inn, Tapawingo, all are excellent places to eat with atmosphere combined with good food. I'm still mourning the demise of Windows, which was my all time favorite restaurant and I've traveled all over the world and have eaten at some truly renowned places (many of which have been disappointing being long on pretentiousness and short on truly wonderful food).

Asian cuisine is sorely lacking, however. Really no good Chinese take out style places. You might run into one or two good dishes from each place but overall they are all very average. Not really Chinese but Asian/fusion, Red Ginger in TC has some interesting dishes and I've been told (not personally a sushi fan) that the sushi is good.

[Rapunzll]

My son and I always liked Ming's Garden on 14th St. just east of Division/31S for take away. You can't eat in there. Mings Garden - Traverse City, MI 49684 - Reviews: Chinese Restaurants

I'm surprised at anyone who'd say that TC and Northern MI doesn't have good food. We are blessed with many fabulous restaurants because chefs who could work wherever they choose want to live up north. Tapawingo, which is in Ellsworth has been rated the best restaurant in the state many times, but that's just one example.

Some people just way too snooty about what good food should be IMNSHO.

Oh, and for Mexican food, try Agave on Garfield where Gordie Howe's used to be. Agave Mexican Grill - Traverse City, MI

[Michigansnowflake]

Thanks for the Mings Garden recommendation, its on the *to try* list!

[betseyboop]

The Tom Ka Kai soup at Thai Orchid is to die for.



BB

[bluebird39]

I finally ate at a good restaurant up here...

Bennthum's Northern Inn

It's just South of Gaylord. I lived in New Orleans for years, and go there often, as I have family still there. DH is from Chicago, has family there, so we long ago gave up on good food in restaurants. We lived in Southern Oregon for many years, and experienced the same out there (lack of fine dining), although there WAS good Mexican and Asian food there. I've become a "foodie", and frankly just learned to cook better than most places. Being a SAHM with 2 growing boys makes eating out even at fast food too expensive fo us anymore.

We went to Benethums for my birhtday, and were pleasantly surprised. We go to TC and Petoskey often, and so far haven't found much worth our money there. I'll have to try some of your suggestions. Has anyone tried that Shorts Brewery place, or Pearl's ? I've been dying to try Pearl's, since I was born and raised in Louisiana, but I know it's often a bad idea to go to a cajun restaurant anywhere outside fo the Miss River Delta. If they have boudin there, I'll be there in a heartbeat..... TIA BTW, no Chinese food in NE MI that I know of. Most folks I know up here have never had any "ethnic food", other than Italian LOL. I'm eager to try Mediteranian food in Detroit, but have no other reason to head down that way. I've lived here almost 2 years, and still haven't been to Detroit.

[mofromcheboygankalamazoo]

i'll chime in
cheboygan actually has a good chinese/thai restaurant, yes i said cheboygan

Indo-China Garden i usually go there or order out for Thai food..yumm.
I worked at the summer camp Walden in cheboygan which is NOT for locals-the majority of campers and counselors are from metro-detroit and i know quite a few of the counselors who loved getting chinese/thai from here, so it must have been good enough for them......yes you might not have any reason for coming to cheboygan, but maybe you like to boat try some new scenary on the east side of the tip

[Michigansnowflake]

Shorts has great beer, havent tried the food there.

I will be in Mackinac in June, might just venture over to Cheboygan to try the I-C Garden.

Keep the suggestions coming!

[mofromcheboygankalamazoo]

Originally Posted by Michigansnowflake

Shorts has great beer, havent tried the food there.

I will be in Mackinac in June, might just venture over to Cheboygan to try the I-C Garden.

Keep the suggestions coming!

i worked at a mackinaw city hotel for awhile i can give you advice if you are actually going to stay there.......and indo china is not open on mondays

[Michigansnowflake]

Just camping at Wilderness, do it every June. We go into Mackinac for a day, but we have kids and dogs and what-not so we arent really looking for a dinning experience then. But I would like to hear your suggestions, in case my husband and I go back alone.

[mofromcheboygankalamazoo]

Originally Posted by Michigansnowflake

Just camping at Wilderness, do it every June. We go into Mackinac for a day, but we have kids and dogs and what-not so we arent really looking for a dinning experience then. But I would like to hear your suggestions, in case my husband and I go back alone.

awww....i also worked at wilderness for a summer as the "Explorer Guide" one of my most favorite summers ever!!!! I miss wilderness
What would you like to know?
i can warn you about where to stay and/or what to do