Stuckos Pub and Grill

Mike and Sonia Stucko opened up Stucko's Pub and Grill on July 5 (which also happens to be my Birthday) in 2006. Originally built as a Shell gas station, they wanted to keep the history of the restaurant in tact, as you can tell by the old picnic tables that they use as wall decor. In recent years, they have added a large cooler out back to hold the 11 beers that they serve on tap, along with an outdoor seating area and a facelift on the outside. The menu, which keeps evolving as does the restaurant itself, offers many different choices such as homemade BBQ, fish, Mexican, Wraps, Burgers, Wings and so much more. I had not been back to Stucko's since it was renovated, in fact it has been about 4 years since I had been there.

The best looking appetizer on the menu was the Spinach and Artichoke dip. The consistency was creamy and smooth, with a few large pieces of artichoke thrown in there. Instead of piling heaping portions of grated Parmesan on top, they added shaved Parmesan that melted slightly. The dip was amazing, as was the side salsa that came with it.

Our waitress (one of 3 that randomly came to the table, I'm not sure which one was our real waitress) told us about a special, and described the wrap as follows... "has homemade black bean hummus, grilled chicken, mixed grilled vegetables and cheese". Sounding amazing, my husband and I both ordered it. I almost had my mom convinced to order it, but here is why I am glad that she didn't; it was spicy. Not the "I can't even swallow this because my tongue is numb" spicy, but spicy nonetheless. It wasn't that I didn't enjoy or love the flavors, but it would have been nice to know it was going to have a huge kick to it, because I would have ordered another drink!

Having not been back for a few years, I am glad we decided to go there. The food was good, and we went early enough in the evening that the noise level was down and it wasn't overly crowded yet. This is a must stop if you are in the area or going out to the bar to watch a game. The portions are huge, and the drinks are never ending. Check out their website and Facebook page at the links below!

Stucko's Website

Stucko's, Facebook Page

Big Boy of Manistique

I know that this is a chain restaurant and I don't do very many reviews for those, but this was probably the best meal I have ever had at a Big Boy. I grew up in Marquette, MI that has a Big Boy, but I think I ate there maybe twice as far as I can remember. While in Manistique for a hockey tournament, we stopped there for "Brunch". Everyone else at the table got the breakfast buffet, but I can't stand buffet's so I ordered off of the breakfast menu.

I wanted to get something on the lighter side. I ordered the "Sunrise Slim Jim". The thin sesame roll was filled with lean ham, melted Swiss cheese, an over-hard egg, and a "special sauce". It was DELICIOUS. I ordered a side of hash browns, and I guess had I ordered a fruit cup it wouldn't have been terribly bad for you (I'm a sucker for potatoes). Considering I didn't get the breakfast buffet and multiple plates of food, it would be considered healthier....

While at any Big Boy location, if you are getting breakfast, this is something that won't disappoint. It fills you up without wishing you wouldn't have eaten so much, and one of the lighter choices for breakfast. Below is a link to their main Website ( I couldn't find a Facebook page for the one in Manistique).

Big Boy, Main Website

Foggy's Steakhouse

Foggy's Steakhouse which is located right off of the highway in Christmas, Michigan, is a hoppin' place to be in the winter, especially during snowmobile season. I find myself eating at Foggy's at least once every few months. It is not for the atmosphere, or the quality of staff (which is always a hit or miss), it is for the food. With as many times in the last 7 1/2 years that I have been there, I have only once had a bad plate of food. From pizza, to steak, to seafood and even Mexican food, stopping to eat here is worth it.

For an appetizer we of course ordered the cheese curds (I don't know if you are starting to see a pattern in my blog posts, but they happen to be my favorite appetizer, ever). There isn't a whole lot to say about them, other than that they are beer battered and fried to a perfect golden brown.

Almost 90% of the time that we eat here, I get the Wet Burrito. I am a lover of almost all that is Ameri-Mexican, and this burrito hits the spot. The tortilla is packed with seasoned beef, slathered in gooey melted cheese, and topped with a heap of lettuce and tomato. This particular time I didn't get offered the sour cream, but it also comes with salsa. And almost as big as the burrito, is the side of chips that come with it. I would say it's too big to finish, but I usually manage just fine!

Foggy's has great potential. The food is amazing, but the ownership attentiveness and quality in service is very lacking. Family businesses almost always lead to having potential problems on differences in how to run the business (I also work in one), but between both brothers it is as opposite as night and day. One wants to see the business do well and spends time trying to make it better, while the other one likes to walk around looking busy and collect a paycheck (not to mention, almost caused 3 collisions with waitresses carrying a tray of food because he wasn't paying attention). I hope that they can get their "stuff" together, because the food is there, they just need the rest of the restaurant experience to start following in the same quality.

A link to their Facebook page and main website are below:

Foggy's, Facebook Page

Foggy's Website

The Up North Lodge

The history on how the Up North Lodge got created is new to me, since I have always known it as the Up North Lodge and nothing else. In the early 1960s the Gimese's used to run a hot dog and cocoa shop through a place called The Red Horse Ranch. In 1973 they expanded and built a bigger building that included 13 hotel rooms, restaurant and tavern. In 1998 it was purchased by the Searle's and renamed The Up North Lodge. Although a fire in 2005 ruined the structure of the building, within a year they rebuilt and opened back up in 2006 with a new location right on County Road 557.

Their menu consists of what I like to call "classic comforts". All of the usual favorites, such as steaks, sandwiches, pasta, burgers and fish can be found on the menu. They have a few choices that are unexpected, such as the Crab Stuffed Ravioli, Parmesan Crusted Cod and the Guacamole Bacon Burger. But what they are mainly known for is their "almost" world famous BBQ ribs.

For dinner, I ordered the grilled chicken breast with dill seasoning, and a side of pasta. The chicken was perfectly cooked, seasoned, and looked amazing right down to the grill marks. The side pasta had butter, Parmesan cheese and herbs. It was a great compliment to the chicken. I also happened to capture a few pictures of what other people ordered, including the ribs (which I have had before, and they are some of the best in the U.P.!).

("Almost" Famous BBQ Ribs)

(Beer Battered Fish)

(Grilled Whitefish)

If nothing else, come here to try the ribs (if not a Bloody Mary that comes with half of a burger, onion rings, pickle etc on top). Although the menu hardly changes, the food is always worth it, and the staff always makes you feel at home.

A link to their main website and Facebook page are below:

The Up North Lodge

The Up North Lodge, Facebook Page