Take a Pasty Road Trip from Grand Rapids to da U.P. [Map]
Heading north to the Upper Peninsula is a summertime tradition for anyone from West Michigan. It's a long trip and all that time on the road can work up an appetite.
Make your next road trip to the U.P. a delicious one with our map of places to stop for a pasty along the way.
If you're heading from Grand Rapids, once you get to the Upper Peninsula you're a long way from home, you're a long way from some of the stores and restaurants you're used to seeing, but you're never a long way from pasties.
Pasties are a food staple of the Upper Peninsula. Simply put, a pasty is a meat pie, but it's not really that simple. What goes in it and on it vary widely. Pasties are not easy to find in Grand Rapids, although it can be done.
In the U.P. it's a different story. They take pasties seriously. Don't miss Pasty Fest or the Pasty Drop on New Year's Eve in Escanaba.
If you're heading north and you're getting hungry follow our map and grab a pasty!
- 1
Grand Traverse Pie Company
You've got a long trip ahead of you so you might as well start off with a pasty at one of the few places you can get one in Grand Rapids.
- 2
Mr. Foisie's Pasties
Just how good are they? Read this Facebook review from a fan, "My mother is 90+, barely eats and actually ate a whole one and took another home! We will be driving the 3hrs up to get another dozen! These are the best!!"
- 3
Cousin Jenny's Cornish Pasties
As we slowly continue towards the Upper Peninsula you'll start to find a few more options, including this stop in Traverse City.
- 5
Lehto's Pasties
Mr. Lehto opened the restaurant in 1947 a year after he served in WWII and was honorably discharged. It's still going strong.
- 6
Tahquamenon Falls Brewery & Pub
Coming from Beer City U.S.A. you might be missing your favorite drink. This is a good place to get a cold drink, a hot pasty and see some of the best sites our state has to offer.
- 8
Jean Kay's Pasties & Subs
Now you're really getting into the heart of pasty country. Some of these towns deserve more than one stop. This is one of them.
- 9
Lawry's Pasty Shop
Another very popular stop. Some say it's the best you can buy. They've been open since 1946.
- 10
Toni's Country Kitchen
This is as far north as our road trip goes and you can be sure when you're this far north the pasties are made right.
- 11
Joe's Pasty Shop
Another pasty shop that opened in 1946 after World War II and when the hungry Cornish miners were looking for a hot meal.
- 12
The Pasty Oven
Heading back towards home now, but there are still plenty of great pasties to be had!
- 13
Dobber's Pasties
They also have a location in Iron Mountain. No one will judge you for wanting to try them both.
- 14
Hiawatha Pasties and Mackinac Fudge Co.
A sure sign you're getting closer to home? "Mackinac Fudge" is part of their name.
After trying a pasty here you can either head back home across the Mackinac Bridge or infinitely circle the U.P. on our map. One is a healthier option than the other, but we'll let you decide.
More From WKMI
