Jackson's Pit

Places to eat in Negaunee have always been somewhat limited on types of food that is offered. There are a few pizza places, fast food places, pasties, and a bakery. With Jackson's Pit that opened this past July, the Negaunee food world has just broadened it's taste buds!

If you are looking for a place to watch the game, kick back and have a few cold ones, there are numerous T.V.'s around the bar and they offer a 20 tap system that includes 17 Michigan craft brews, and even root beer.

There are many great sounding appetizers on the menu, which include some JP originals such as beer battered mushrooms (using a Michigan craft beer in the batter) with a roasted garlic aioli, and BBQ bacon wrapped shrimp. All sauces are made in-house. My family and I ended up getting the chili cheese fries. They were amazing! Homemade fries smothered in chili and topped with cheese sauce. Next time I visit I will definitely be getting a bowl of chili for an appetizer. It is some of the best chili I have had in Marquette county.

 I have heard from many people that they go to Jackson's Pit just for the chicken wings, and also the many juicy burger choices. They have the most unique combination of ingredients for burger toppings in the area. For example, the Pick Axe burger is Cajun seasoned, topped with applewood smoked bacon, blue cheese, roasted garlic aioli, lettuce, tomato and red onion.

I went for something on the lighter side and ordered the chef salad. Considering the huge portion of chili fries that came as our appetizer, I shouldn't have been shocked that the salad was larger than the size of my head! The salad was made from a fresh lettuce blend (no brown or wilted pieces to be found), sliced turkey, ham, Swiss and cheddar cheese, cucumber, hardboiled egg, onion (which i omitted), croutons and I chose Ranch dressing. It was a great salad, and I could only finish about half of it!

While we were eating dinner, we had the pleasure of listening to a band called the Louisiana Bayou Boyz, who sounded great and played one of my favorite Pink Floyd songs. Be sure to check on their Facebook page to see what band is going to be playing and for any drink or food specials. Jackson's Pit has played it's part in bringing more traffic to downtown Negaunee, and better food to the area by serving fresh and homemade ingredients. And if your GPS tells you that you have reached your destination and you don't see it, look on the other side of the street and you can't miss the sign!

The links to their Facebook page and main website (with the food and drink menu) are below:

Jackson's Pit, Facebook Page

Jackson's Pit, Main Website

Ralph's Italian Deli

Ralph's Italian Deli is located in Ishpeming, MI across from the Ski Hall of Fame. Growing up working in the family business that was right around the corner, I ate here all of the time. It is wonderful old school Italian food and has been given praise by many different magazines, books, and various articles. Not to mention by word of mouth from everyone who has eaten here. It has been family owned and operated for over 50 years, and hopefully will have many more years of business to come.

My husband and I ordered some of our favorite choices the other night for dinner (we usually get it to go). My absolute favorite thing to get from here is the meatball sub. Their meatballs are out of this world. Instead of getting it in sandwich form, I ordered the "snack meatballs", which is two meatballs that come in sauce.

If that wasn't enough (considering it comes with garlic bread and a house salad), I also ordered the cheese ravioli in meat sauce. I am not a fan of the consistency of ricotta usually, but these ravioli are mouth watering.
I personally suggest taking a bite of meatball and ravioli at the same time.

If you are looking for some great Italian food, this is one of the top places in Marquette County that I would suggest going to. If you are in a rush, you can do what my husband and I do and grab some takeout. If you do have a minute to stop and sit, they have a small dining room in the building, along with a small grocery store filled with all of the Italian staples. And if you have a hankering for dessert, be sure and grab a cinnamon roll!

A link to their Facebook page, main website and menu are at the links below:

Ralph's Facebook Page

Ralph's Main Site

Ralph's Menu