Most people know this little cabin off of the highway in Michigamme, MI as more of a historical landmark. As most of you who have been there, or are a movie/history buff, know that parts of the movie Anatomy of a Murder was filmed there back in 1959 (starring James Stewart).
Anatomy of a Murder holds a special place in my family, from not only growing up eating at Mt. Shasta while out at camp, but also because at the time, the movie was also filmed in my grandpa McDonald's courtroom (pictured below) in Marquette, MI.
Whoever now owns the restaurant/bar I think has forgotten one important thing other than Mt. Shasta's history, the fact that it's purpose is a restaurant/bar, and not a place for a rummage sale. I understand that the house out back is filled with stuff for sale, and I could understand having signs that tell people to check it out when they are done eating. But..... Mt. Shasta is literally now filled with junk. There are things for sale piled in every possible nook and cranny.
Growing up having a camp across the bay within walking distance, was always great. When my grandparents were alive and my sister and I were little, we would walk to Mt. Shasta on Friday nights for the fish fry (which is actually the only time I have ever liked, or eaten fish so far, at all). The food was amazing, the ambiance was relaxing and peaceful, and the staff was always friendly.
It has been going downhill for the past year especially, but since I have always loved eating there my husband and I stopped in last Thursday for a bite to eat. There was hardly anybody there, and not a waitress was in sight for the first 10-15 minutes that we were there. The menu, was about 7-9 items written on a dry-erase board (which the fact that the menu sign is smaller than the rummage sale sign is RIDICULOUS. Pictured below). While waiting, a table of about 6-7 people came in and we got some free entertainment from a man who was amazing at playing the piano.
My husband ordered the steak, and the only thing I even liked out of the items listed was a patty melt, so I ordered that.
His steak was under seasoned, but not terrible. The potatoes had no salt, nor did the gravy, or the cauliflower. My husband, being what I call the "garbage disposal" that he is, didn't even finish his steak, and barely ate anything else on the plate.
When I ordered my patty melt, I asked the waitress what came on it. She said she honestly didn't know, and I let her know that I wanted lettuce, tomato and pickle. What I got was a hamburger patty and cheese, in between toast. The patty melt actually wasn't terrible considering I love cheese and that's about all i could taste besides the bread anyways. The Italian noodle salad wasn't bad but it was in a Styrofoam container which leads me to wonder when it was made.
For dessert, I ordered the rice pudding. I got a huge mound of ground cinnamon on top, and while eating part of it, found a large chunk of egg white. (?!?!) Now.... I have been cooking for as long as I can remember, and after ordering it I even looked up recipes to see if anyone else used egg whites in their rice pudding, and not a recipe was to be found.
In conclusion (for now), I have NO IDEA what Mt. Shasta's deal is lately but priorities need to be straightened out and the RESTAURANT, needs it's identity back. This place used to be packed every weekend, and not just on Polka nights. I have always had a special place in my heart for this restaurant and I really hope it will pick itself back up and make a comeback.
Was the piano scene with Duke Ellington filmed at Mt. Shasta? Thanks.
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ReplyDeleteYes, the bar and piano scene were in Mt. Shasta.
ReplyDeleteGreat summer evening dinner memories from a vacation in early 1990s. Food was great, crowd was fun, and Mt Shasta was always full! Sad to see what became of this historic place. Hope somebody brings up to its former glory!
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