Pull Over for Pasties, Brews & Other UP Favorites

It is time to take your taste buds on an adventure through the Upper Peninsula. You will find fresh fish from the Great Lakes, meals that fill your belly, wines and beers unique to the north, cranberry farms along with local farmers markets. The UP encompasses amazing Michigan food.

Out-of-towners pronounce it PAY-stee, but locals tell you its actually PASS-tee. Either way, restaurants and pasty shops serve the main-dish turnovers throughout the Upper Peninsula.  Beef, potatoes, vegetables and spices usually fill the hearty pasties, served hot. For unique gifts and clocks, casual atmosphere, homemade bakery items--and breakfast anytime, you'll want to take time to stop in at The Swedish Pantry in downtown Escanaba.

Bessie's Original Homemade Pasties - fix your mouth for chunks of tender steak or chicken and fresh vegetables in a delicious pie crust. In business for over 48 years, this eatery serves up deli subs, pizza, smoked fish and ice cream. Patrons have the choice to eat in or take out. You'll be delighted to know that Bessies even offers shipping of its taste favorites.

What used to be known as Grama Ts Pasties is now Irontown Pasties. The new owners are excited to be preparing these cozy meals along with bringing new items to the menu. Don't worry, they still offer great varieties of pasties including the favorites--vegetable, spicy, traditional, as well as fruit turnovers. Along with their delicious warm pasties, you can enjoy many flavors of their hand-dipped ice cream. Your stomach will thank you later.

If you are craving some yummy Michigan food then you will want to stop at the Driftwood Restaurant & Sports Bar. They prepare Michigan Whitefish in a variety of ways such as smoked spread, battered bites, planked and in a bag. Along with all the choices of whitefish they have sandwiches, homemade soups, specialty burgers, Mexican, brick oven pizza, steak and pasta. To add to their already fantastic menu they offer Michigan wine and beer to make your dinner complete. One look at the menu and you won't know where to start.

Galley Restaurant & Bar has been family owned and operated since 1976, which makes for decades of delicious home cooking. Their menu reflects the abundance of fresh Whitefish and Trout caught daily in Michigan's Great Lakes. Other menu items that keep customers returning are their slow cooked prime rib, homemade soups, sizzling steaks, hearty pastas, and don't forget the UP staple food, pasties. This is a restaurant that everyone will enjoy.

The Sault Ste. Marie Farmers Market is the best place to meet the friendly people that grow your local food every day. The market offers the freshest produce, eggs, poultry, meats, breads, honey and maple syrup in the UP. The market is open every Wednesday and Saturday for you to come and enjoy what the UP has to offer.

As you are traveling to see the majestic Tahquamenon Falls, stop by and warm up in the rustic atmosphere of Tahquamenon Falls Brewery & Pub. The micro brewed selections will entice your senses as well as the aromas from the pub kitchen. Some of their delicious brew flavors are Lumberjack Lager, Porcupine Pale Ale and Black Bear Stout. This is a great place to come and relax while you enjoy some amazing Michigan beer and delicious food.

Michigan's only historic cranberry farm started in 1876 and is known as Centennial Cranberry Farm. This farm sells fresh cranberries, cranberry products and cranberry gifts for anyone who loves cranberries. They are open from Memorial Day though October and offer farm tours and a farm market. Visiting a Michigan cranberry farm is a rare treat and a look back on Michigan's history.

If you are a Michigan wine lover, then you may not have guessed that Threefold Vine Winery is one of three wineries in the Upper Peninsula. In 2002, Andrew and Janice Green began planting grapevines which has now turned into a Michigan winery full of delicious wines. The Threefold Vine Winery is open for tours to show you how grapes are harvested and wine is produced. Their tasting room is open for all to experience their exciting new wines grown in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.